Giving Tuesday 2022 is November 29th!

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GivingTuesday reimagines a world built upon shared humanity and generosity.

Our global network collaborates year-round to inspire generosity around the world, with a common mission to build a world where generosity is part of everyday life.

Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts, and everyone has something to give.

HISTORY OF GIVINGTUESDAY

GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good.

GivingTuesday was born and incubated at the 92nd Street Y and its Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact in New York City. GivingTuesday is now an independent nonprofit and a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

Consider Opportunity Works for your #GivingTuesday contribution!

Our folks set sail from Newburyport this morning thanks to The Impossible Dream! The Impossible Dream is a universally accessible catamaran. Their mission is dedicated to raising awareness of barrier-free design and improving the quality of life for disabled persons through sailing. What a beautiful day to cruise the Merrimack!!!
Learn more about the crew, boat, and their mission here: https://www.theimpossibledream.org/

Give it up for Kelsey H who will be making her fashion debut for the Runway of Dreams Foundation Fashion Show airing August 3rd @ 6:30 on YouTube. This is their YouTube page! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoFv9rMgT-oQU6SqiogqNNw

 

We are looking for formal wear (any gender, style or size!) for our upcoming Soiree. If you are, or anyone you know has items to donate, please contact:

Melissa Merrow

Division Director – Haverhill

P. 978-374-5281 X *113

[email protected]

Also looking to start a library so we are asking for book donations. Please feel free to donate 1-2 picture, young adult or large font books as we have a limited amount of space.

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OpArt Exhibition: New Works
Reception on 4/28/22

OpArt Exhibition: New Works

An exhibition of new works by OpArt artists from Opportunity Works of Newburyport and Haverhill.
Was viewable from April 22 to May 15, 2022 and the artist reception was Thursday, April 28th, 2022

Newburyport Art Association
65 Water Street, Newburyport, MA
Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11:00am-5:00pm, Sunday 1:00-5:00

 

 

Hello Family and Friends!

As many of you know, our downstairs CBDS space is OPEN!!!  We have spent the past month getting into the swing of things and are ready to show you all what we have been up to!

We hosted a small ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday 5/25 at 11am for the folks supported.  One lucky person was selected to cut the ribbon…congrats Robert K!!  The ribbon cutting was an internal event for the people supported and staff, however we will be hosting an open house to tour the downstairs space for family and friends.

Thank you again to management team, direct care staff and the people supported that made this transition such a success!

-Melissa Merrow, Haverhill Site Director

Click here to watch on YouTube

Last Friday we celebrated the amazing accomplishments of the Class of 2022 OW ProjectSEARCH graduates. Made possible by Jessica DelRosso, ProjectSEARCH Program Manager and Lynette Chavez, ProjectSEARCH Campus Coordinator the graduation was held in the Technology Center of Northern Essex Community College of Haverhill (NECC).

Project SEARCH Opportunity Works takes place on the campus of NECC over a 9-month period. Participants begin and end each day with work readiness classes covering topics like job interviews, résumé writing, teamwork, professionalism, and technology in the workplace. In between the classroom learning, students spend their time interning in different Northern Essex departments. Over the course of the school year, students intern for three months in a different department. 

This group of graduates had a particularly unique experience with ProjectSEARCH as they are the only group to have a 2 year term due to COVID-19. As the campus was closed, and then operating remotely, ProjectSEARCH had to do the same. Once some restrictions were eventually lifted, the 7 interns were able to meet in person and begin their internships. Because of COVID-19 there were also new opportunities for internships such as the NECC COVID Team.

We heard some great speeches from Michael McCarthy, Chief Financial and Operating Officer of NECC, Pam Ross, Direct Support Staff and Supervisor at Perfect Blend Café, Jessica DelRosso, ProjectSEARCH Program Manager and Lynette Chavez, ProjectSEARCH Campus Coordinator, and each of the graduates themselves!

Congratulations to the Class of 2022 ProjectSEARCH Graduates: Ross Barton, Brianna Caissie, Greer Candage, David Santos, Alexandra Talbot, Daniela Zorrilla, and James Keith. We are SO proud of you!!!

THANK YOU to… 

Michael McCarthy, NECC Chief Financial and Operating Officer and Allison Pistone Gagne, Liaison.

NECC Supervisors: Officer Carlos & all the NECC officers, Steve DiLeo, Stephanie Haskell, Linda Hudson, Julie Jordan, Helen Mansur, Jeff Mejia, Pam Ross, Sharon Schoolcraft, Aimee Stevens, Kathleen Teixeira & DDS, MRC, parents, guardians & caregivers.

Links to previous posts highlighting the work of the ProjectSEARCH interns:

https://www.opportunityworks.org/memorial-day-messages/

https://www.opportunityworks.org/program-spotlight-projectsearch-discusses-the-importance-of-mental-health/

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Photo Description: Nori, perched per usual, is doe-eyed as flashes click behind the windows of OW. Panel #2 shows one of our staff enjoying the St.Patricks Day Photo Booth, with lots of clicks and flash. Panel 3 shows Nori wearing an Irish flag sitting atop an office chair to join the staff in the photo booth.

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Happy St.Patty’s Day everyone!!!

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Photo Description: The first panel reads ‘9:30 am on a thursday’ and Nori, a vulture, is sitting on her branch in her usual tree saying “Hmm…awfully quiet.” The second panel you see cartoon versions of Arius and Craig, the hosts of Thursday morning art class, asking their friends on BlueJeans “Today we are drawing a cow. What is your favorite farm animal?” The third and final panel we see Nori was participating in class and made a lovely drawing of a cow and is showing us her work!

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Photo Description: Nori, a vulture, asks “what do you call a witch at the beach?”. The second panel reads POOF in a large purple sparkly cloud. The third and final panel pictures Nori riding a broom delivering the answer to the joke- “a sand-witch!!!”

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