SPIRIT CLUB’S MISSION: To offer a universal design for fitness that empowers people of all abilities to exercise successfully in a socially integrated setting.
S OCIAL
P HYSICAL
I NTERACTIVE
R ESPECTFUL
I NTEGRATED
T EAMWORK
Project SEARCH has been learning about the benefits of Mental Health education! Our interns have learned that mental health is just as important as physical health & to make our mental health a priority. Below are 3 acrostic poems & quotes from 3 of our current interns on our “Health & Wellness” topic.
Always remember… Mental Health Matters!
Our Project SEARCH program is funded in part by the kindness of the Cummings Foundation.
The Haverhill Karaoke class has become an overnight success after starting back in August. The class is run by Sylium Diaz, Rosanna Guzman and Chris Breton every Thursday at 11:30 on Google Classroom and the individuals are able participate both at home and in-house. “We never realized what a hit the class was going to be” said Sylium. The premise of the class is similar to the karaoke you used to attend, only virtual, they get to choose their song, one of the staff members cues the music (with lyrics) and away they go! Most played requests include, “Let it Go,” “Beat It,” “ The Sponge Bob theme song” and “Rockstar.” Some quotes from some of the regulars:
Will R – “I love it”
Maddie H – “ It is the highlight of my Thursday.”
Heather B – “It is my favorite classes, I love it.”
[Pictured here is Maddie H singing “This is Home” by Bryan Lanning]
Enjoy Adventures with Nori!
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Here is some work from 3 hardworking Project SEARCH interns. Enjoy a glimpse of what we have been learning about at Project SEARCH this year.
Instructions:
Come up with an acrostic poem for topics/phrases we have learned so far during Project SEARCH! Use the first letter of each line to spell out a word or a phrase we have talked about. (Example: V could stand for “Verbal Communication”, A could be “Acting appropriately during an interview”, etc.)
Our Project SEARCH program is funded in part by the kindness of the Cummings Foundation.
Give Opportunity
“In the midst of every crisis, lies great opportunity”- Albert Einstein
Each and every day Opportunity Works provides genuine opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to thrive and flourish. We ask YOU to help support our mission.
YOU have the power to GIVE OPPORTUNITY.
In the midst of our greatest challenges throughout the 2020 COVID-19 crisis we proved in our ability to pivot quickly and continue to provide dynamic, quality, opportunities to fulfill our mission and the meaningful goals of the individuals supported by Opportunity Works. Your valuable support directly empowers and changes lives. Donate Today!
Meet Billy
Billy has been part of the Opportunity Works family for nearly 10 years and has been empowered to take each and every opportunity available to him. His caring and compassionate nature lead him to volunteer opportunities such as, Three Hearts Farm, Council on Aging and Nourishing the North Shore. Billy is an active member of OW’s Chorus, Club Café and OpArt, a collaborative program with the Newburyport Art Association. Although always busy, Billy takes the opportunity to play hoop at the YMCA and visit his town library regularly.
When asked if he would like to explore a new job at RiverWalk Brewing Co. he once again jumped at the chance. The folks at RiverWalk quickly found Billy’s friendly, social, jokester personality genuinely completed their team. Upon return from a brief production hiatus RiverWalk touted
“The Band is back together!”
EMPOWERING PEOPLE…CHANGING LIVES…GIVING OPPORTUNITY
Donate via our website: CLICK HERE
Donate by Mail:
Opportunity Works
10 Opportunity Way
Newburyport, MA 01950Click here to view a high quality PDF of our appeal: 2020 OW Winter Appeal Final
Hello all!!! This is our blog page on our shiny new website but if you haven’t heard yet…we have an Instagram Page!!!! Our official page is OpportunityWorks, and you’ll see this as the first post:
If you like using that social media platform, please give us a follow and SHARE to your Instagram story! Feel free to tag us too! @opportunityworks
We are so excited to continue to share stories from the OW community.
To: Opportunity Works Community
Date: June 25th 2020
From: Jane Harris-Fale, Executive Director
Urgent: From the Arc of Massachusetts: The campaign #DontCutUsOut is to ensure that needed funding for our safety net continues.
Individuals served by Opportunity Works with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, or other intellectual and developmental disabilities funded by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) will lose services if funding and policies don’t meet the requirements of the re-opening period and thereafter.
It is close to the end of June and we have no idea of the additional funding available for day and employment programs across the state. Opportunity Works can ONLY be paid by the Commonwealth for services they deliver each day. However, re-opening after this COVID-19 pandemic requires partial attendance, more space between people, smaller groups in vehicles and buildings, significant cleaning supplies, etc. And partial attendance means partial funding.
None of these costs have been allocated. Some agencies have begun laying off staff to afford the new costs. Without new funds, either people could lose services (including delays for those Turning 22) or services will be significantly reduced.
More importantly, some agencies or day programs will close as a result.
The network of services will not recover if decisions for additional funds and flexible policies are delayed. Please respond to #DontCutUsOut and send an email to the Governor with copies to Speaker DeLeo and Senate President Spilka.
Please use this link to the Arc of Massachusetts https://thearcofmass.org/post/dontcutusout-act-now-to-ensure-funding-for-services-for-adults-with-i-dd-during-re-opening as soon as possible to fill out a template to contact Governor Baker, Speaker DeLeo, and Senate President Spilka regarding the urgent need for funding.
Thank You
Opportunity Works, Inc. will remain CLOSED until further notice as we are awaiting approval from State Government. We continue to work in conjunction with the State on all reopening protocols.
On Monday 5/18, Governor Baker announced his 4 Phase Plan in which our industry/day services would fall in the later part of Phase 2, again pending the guidance and approval from DDS.
Although this creates additional uncertainty we are adhering to all prescribed protocols set forth by the Governor. The health and safety of our individuals and staff remain our number one priority and remind you to continue social distancing practices and protocols in order to maintain optimum health and wellness.
Sincerely,
Jane Harris-Fale
Executive Director
Opportunity Works, Inc.
5/13/20
Good afternoon,
We hope everyone is doing well and staying safe. We wanted to let everyone know that we anticipate being closed through the end of May. We are awaiting guidance from the Governor’s task force regarding reopening plans.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. STAY SAFE!
Thank you,
Jane Harris-Fale
Executive Director
UPDATE: 4/29/20
Good afternoon,
We hope everyone is staying safe and doing well during these challenging times. We wanted to reach out to let everyone know that we are closed through Monday May 18th and we will provide further updates as the State/Governor communicates the status of the Stay at Home order.
Thank you and stay safe!
UPDATE: 4/3/20
In accordance with local and state health official’s recommendations, Opportunity Works, Inc. anticipates we will be closed through the month of April.
If we receive guidance from local, state and federal officials we will pass that along.
Please continue vigilant social distancing practices to minimize risk of exposure.
4/1/20- A Video Message from our Executive Director
IMPORTANT UPDATE: 3/25/20
As we continue to minimize the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
please note that Opportunity Works, Inc. will remain closed next week:
March 30th – April 3rd
We will continue to update as this is a fluid situation and requires the utmost vigilance. Please continue to practice social distancing practices to minimize risk of exposure.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: 3/17/20
As we continue to minimize the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
please note that Opportunity Works, Inc. will remain closed next week:
March 23rd – March 27th
We will continue to update as this is a fluid situation and requires the utmost vigilance. Please continue social distancing practices to minimize risk of exposure.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: 3/16/20
Based on the most recent guidance Opportunity Works, Inc. will be closed through Friday 3/20.
Please check back for updates as we will post by the end of the day on Friday, details on the week of 3/23/20.
Update on 3/15/20: Opportunity Works, in Newburyport and Haverhill,
is closed on Monday, March 16th 2020
