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Let's Celebrate!
06/24/2019 02:06Author Jennifer Blum
In the past, ODC has hosted an awards dinner each year to honor those who support our mission: to empower people with disabilities to achieve their work and life goals.
A Chance at Community Employment
01/14/2019 10:01Author Emily Marino
What is normal, anyway?
How many times in the lives of people with disabilities or mental health struggles were they considered "not normal"? I would guess more times than they would like to count.
01/07/2019 11:01Author Eric Gudmunsen
When I met with The Waterford staff for the first time three years ago, I spoke to them about a position that I had developed with another senior living facility that we call "hospitality aid".
Alex continued to grow with each work experience and he left each workplace a better place...
12/18/2018 01:12Author Ann Lepak
What started as a hire at one gym with one worker in Wisconsin Rapids turned into hires at four gyms with four workers in Wisconsin Rapids, Marshfield, Stevens Point and Plover.
The Key to Success
Arborwood Lodge and Arborview Court, part of Crystal Fountains Assisted Living, have been working with ODC employment services for over eight years.
A positive attitude, a positive influence...
11/26/2018 10:11Author Mary Blanchard
When Skyler Slark first came to Marshfield's Project SEARCH program at Marshfield Medical Center in September 2015, he had little confidence or self-esteem and not much hope for the future.
Arie is "ace-ing" it!
11/15/2018 01:11Author Christina Tierney
It was my great pleasure to honor Arie Reinke with ODC's 2018 Wisconsin Rapids Area Personal Achievement Award. I am honored to have worked with Arie. His persistence and perseverance in rebuilding his work and community life in a new city has been nothing but extraordinary.
Honoring Their Journeys
Congratulations to our nominees! May you continue to grow both personally and professionally… we appreciate and applaud your contributions to our community!
Celebrating Personal Achievement
Every person that was nominated for the Wisconsin Rapids area award this year deserves recognition as having "stood out" among the rest for many reasons.
Celebrating Achievement
Stay tuned… and join us as we celebrate their journeys!
Finding Their Voice
ODC staff and participants are thrilled to once again be attending the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities' annual conference in Wisconsin Dells, called the Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference.
Tailgating with a Purpose
Join us on Friday, October 26th from 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm at Hotel Marshfield for our 2018 Evening to Inspire Tailgate Party!
Great Music for a Great Cause!
This exciting evening will feature Piano Fondue, a high-energy "dueling pianos" performance.
Oh, what a year can bring!
"There is much to celebrate this evening as one chapter is ending and another is just beginning."
This year's Marshfield Project SEARCH graduating class has so much to celebrate! They've been through a year of intensive work readiness training...
Playing for a Purpose
04/17/2018 12:04Author Danielle Nystrom & Heather Bailey
The Marshfield Young Professionals (MYP) group has organized a Blind Volleyball Tournament, during YPweek, to benefit Opportunity Development Centers, Inc. (ODC).
Changing Attitudes, Changing Society
On Tuesday, we gathered at the Elks Club in Wisconsin Rapids to honor local businesses and organizations that work with ODC Employment Services.
It was just another inspirational moment for those of us who attended the ODC Employer Appreciation event in Marshfield earlier this week.
When Allyson came to ODC, she immediately told me that she was ready to work.
With a Smile on his Face
12/20/2017 03:12Author Holly Bronk and Michele Politoski
A hard worker. Always on time. Always on task. Does his job fantastically!
Time for Her to Fly!
I got to know Katie about four years ago, when I interviewed her for a video that ODC was producing. I was immediately struck by her strength and dignity...
Finding His Niche
12/19/2017 02:12Author Christina Eberhardt
Travis is a happy man, and is proud to tell you so!
We are consistently amazed at how, each year, ODC's Annual Awards Dinner is even more inspiring than the last.
A Fond Farewell
12/14/2017 10:12Author Dennis Page & Leisa Pratt
Jessiah just recently said "good-bye" to ODC, as he retired this fall after 14 years.
12/12/2017 04:12Author Tiffany Groshek & Kathy Stout
At ODC, we know that "opportunity + support + personal effort = achievement"!
A Team Effort
12/12/2017 03:12Author Carla Czarny
Jason came to ODC in 2009 with the goal of community employment.
Ryan had no plans to look for community employment, and he was not shy in saying so.
I Can!
12/07/2017 09:12Author Paula Weber & Monica Barnhart
Mark began participating in ODC services 30 years ago… and he holds ODC in his heart as a big part of his life in many ways.
When Matthew started the Project SEARCH program in 2013, he was very quiet, shy and unsure of himself.
12/04/2017 11:12Author Greg Weiler & Stacey Schultz
When Vicky joined ODC two years ago, she made the decision to challenge herself to gain physical strength… she would no longer be using her wheelchair.
11/16/2017 03:11Author Chris Nemitz & Pat Turner
One year ago at this time, if we were to tell you that Jeffery was going to be a smiling, joking ODC service participant capable of completing multiple-step work tasks, you would have thought we were speaking of someone else. Yet, this is exactly who Jeffrey has become over the last year of his training at ODC.
Wow... that's a big check!
We are so honored by the generosity of Paul and Rita Meier, owners of the Blue Heron Brew Pub in Marshfield!
Sharing Our Knowledge & Skills
ODC's very own Lynn Haefer (center), Employment Services Supervisor, was recently chosen to speak on a panel of highly-skilled job developers during the annual statewide Rehabilitation for Wisconsin Conference in Wisconsin Dells!
Celebrating our 2016 Marshfield Employers
05/01/2017 12:05Author Lynn Haefer & Miranda Gregory
We recall a time, not so long ago, when people with disabilities were not acknowledged as members of society and community-based employment was unheard of.
Celebrating our 2016 Employers
03/28/2017 02:03Author Jen Pelot
Last Tuesday, ODC's Employment Services team in Wisconsin Rapids celebrated our Wisconsin Rapids area employers at an annual Employer Appreciation Breakfast.
Support at Every Level
01/16/2017 08:01Author Miranda Gregory
ODC's relationship with The Baltus Company goes back a long, long way. In the 1980's, an ODC candidate was hired to work at their car wash…
A Job to Love
01/11/2017 11:01Author Christina Eberhardt & Joan Korger
Much like ODC, Copps Food Center has been a part of our community for over 50 years.
Oh, What a Night!
ODC's 2016 Annual Awards Dinner was, once again, a night to remember! Fifteen Personal Achievement Award nominees were honored, as well as the three recipients of this award: Ben Tauschek, Trista Wolff and Jeff Micke.
A Real Stand-Out!
Those are words that are often heard from Ben by his employers and those for whom he volunteers. And everyone agrees… Ben is a real stand-out!
A Very Humble Man
Jeff is a very humble man. When told that he was a recipient of the Personal Achievement Award, his response was one of disbelief… "Really?", he said.
A New Day for Trista
Trista felt very alone and trusted no one when she came to ODC. She had no self-confidence or sense of self-worth, and she was sure she was a failure.
Connected to Community
Dustin has always taken his personal goals seriously.
The Sky's the Limit!
On a Saturday in early 2011, Sam graduated from high school. The next Monday, he began a new journey at ODC…
By Leaps and Bounds
Those at ODC who have spent the past 11 years working with Brent describe his progress "by leaps and bounds".
Jessica is very proud of her job at Arborwood Lodge... as well she should be!
A Part of the Team
Casey came to ODC right out of high school, a quiet, shy young man who was quite unsure of himself. That has most certainly changed…
Working at a library was Katie's dream job. But when given that opportunity, Katie almost succumbed to the pressure of her fears and barriers.
From Self-Doubt to Self-Advocacy
Anna's biggest barrier has never been her disability… it was her belief in herself. But as her confidence has grown, so has she grown as a person.
Focus on Ability
In 1979, when she was just 10 years old, Dawn was diagnosed with a stage 3 brain tumor. The cancer was ultimately cured, but it left Dawn with significant cognitive disabilities.
Workplace Ready!
All it took was a little time, and a little patience. Since 2011, David has grown from a man who had a very hard time dealing with frustration in the workplace to one who is moving toward community employment.
Barb has participated in ODC's supported employment services since 1998, when she started working at Hillers True Value.
With a Smile on Her Face
In November 2014, Amara came to ODC a bit shy and unsure. Just six months earlier, her mother had passed away and she had moved from her home in Florida to Wisconsin, to live with her father and step-mother.
Making the Sale
When Andrew was referred to ODC, he was 14 years old. His drive to work was obvious, but he soon learned that there would have to be work on his part to reach that goal.
"Thank You" Worth A Thousand Words
Nine years ago, Jennifer came to ODC as part of the Beginnings service, available to individuals with very significant behavioral or medical challenges.
Mark on a Mission!
Mark has trained at ODC's facility for 17 years. Despite many challenges, including anxiety and significant health issues, he has set his sights on community employment.
The Power of the Human Spirit
Each year, ODC honors individuals with disabilities who have overcome significant barriers and achieved outstanding personal goals in the workplace and the community.
Great Fun for a Great Cause!
Did you miss ODC's Evening in Paris last week?
Gathering for Michael
ODC recently celebrated the life of a wonderful friend and colleague, Michael Coleman (Getsinger). Before his passing earlier this year, Michael had worked with ODC, both in the community and in the facility, since graduating from high school almost 27 years ago.
Electronics Recycling Day Being Held
09/28/2016 01:09Author Felicia Gardner
Do you have an old TV or computer that you just want to get rid of but you just keep telling yourself that you'll deal with it later? Well, this weekend is the weekend!