📢🥳🤩 Living Opportunities Inc. Marks 50th Anniversary: A Journey of Empowerment and Advocacy 📢👀🎉 As we reflect on the past five decades, Living Opportunities Inc. celebrates its 50th anniversary of unwavering commitment to empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. From humble beginnings to transformative impact, our journey has helped shape the landscape of disability services in Jackson County and the State of Oregon. The Birth of Living Opportunities: In May 1974, Living Opportunities emerged from a collective dream. Picture parents of individuals with developmental disabilities and passionate community advocates huddled around a kitchen table. Their vision? Something better for their loved ones—a life beyond institutional walls, abuse, and isolation. With the opening of our first home in 1975, we embarked on a mission to provide training, support, and advocacy. As we look ahead, Living Opportunities remains committed to our vision: “A welcoming community that embraces individuality and passionately supports and empowers people.” Join us throughout the year as we celebrate our 50th anniversary and Save the Date on August 23rd for a community celebration at RogueX. Together, we’ll continue shaping a brighter future for all. #DisabilityServices #bettertogether #LivingOpps #southernoregon #TeamLivingOpps
Today we celebrate the wonderful people working behind the scenes keeping all the details aligned and making the paperwork flow... or is it making the paper workflow... or working the paperflow... well, you get the idea, they work with a lot of paper 😜 **We seriously have the most fabulous, amazing, and epic Admin Team around!** 💙💚💛🖤 #TeamLivingOpps #BestTeamEver #paperworkflow
“Ask many of us who are disabled what we would like in life and you would be surprised how few would say, ‘Not to be disabled.’ We accept our limitations.” -Itzhak Perlman 💙💚💛🖤 #livingopps #teamlivingopps #NDDAM #March2024 #DDAM #southernoregon #DDAM2024 #disabilityawarenessmonth #disabilityawareness #DisabilityAwarenessMonth #DDawareness2024
Food for thought: “If I have to feel thankful about an accessible bathroom, when am I ever gonna be equal in the community?” -Judith Huemann 💙💚💛🖤 #livingopps #teamlivingopps #NDDAM #March2024 #DDAM #southernoregon #DDAM2024 #disabilityawarenessmonth #disabilityawareness #DisabilityAwarenessMonth #DDawareness2024 #accessabilitymatters
“Recognizing and respecting differences in others, and treating everyone like you want them to treat you, will help make our world a better place for everyone. Care… be your best. You don’t have to be handicapped to be different. Everyone is different!” -Kim Peek 💙💚💛🖤 #livingopps #teamlivingopps #NDDAM #March2024 #DDAM #southernoregon #DDAM2024 #disabilityawarenessmonth #disabilityawareness #DisabilityAwarenessMonth #DDawareness2024
“Having Down syndrome is like being born normal. I am just like you, and you are just like me. We are all born in different ways, that is the way I can describe it. I have a normal life.” 💙💚💛🖤 #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityawarenessmonth #disability #NDDAM #wearorange #March2024 #southernoregon #oregonprovider #oregonnonprofit #disabilityawareness #DDAwareness2024 #DDAM #DDAM2024 #NewOpportunities
"Don't behave as if you know better than us what we need or what is best for us. " Quote from: “It’s time for a reimagining of disability etiquette” by Andrew Pulrang on Forbes.com 💙💚💛🖤 #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityawarenessmonth #disability #NDDAM #wearorange #March2024 #southernoregon #oregonprovider #oregonnonprofit #disabilityawareness #DDAwareness2024 #DDAM #DDAM2024 #NewOpportunities
It's National Wheelchair Awareness Day! Offering options for support, mobility, and freedom to wheelchair users. This technology is one that is certainly worth celebrating. #LivingOpps #TeamLivingOpps #NationalWheelchairAwarenessDay #DDAM #DDAM2024 #DDawareness2024 #DisabilityAwarenessMonth #oregonprovider
A guide to communication etiquette. . The number one thing to remember is to treat someone with a disability how you would want to be treated. Everyone appreciates respect and etiquette, not just people with disabilities. . Source: https://www.vantagemobility.com/blog/blogdisability-etiquette-dos-and-donts/ . #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityawarenessmonth #disability #NDDAM #wearorange #March2024 #southernoregon #oregonprovider #oregonnonprofit #disabilityawareness #DDAwareness2024 #DDAM #DDAM2024 #NewOpportunities
We all have different brains. We all have different needs. 💙💚💛🖤 #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityawarenessmonth #disability #NDDAM #wearorange #March2024 #southernoregon #oregonprovider #oregonnonprofit #disabilityawareness #DDAwareness2024 #DDAM #DDAM2024 #NewOpportunities
"Specific needs aside, treat disabled people with the same respect and recognition you would give to any person. Speak to us directly, not to a third party next to us, our mom, dad, friend, or caregiver." Quote from: “It’s time for a reimagining of disability etiquette” by Andrew Pulrang on Forbes.com #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityawarenessmonth #disability #NDDAM #wearorange #March2024 #southernoregon #oregonprovider #oregonnonprofit #disabilityawareness #DDAwareness2024 #DDAM #DDAM2024 #NewOpportunities
March: National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month What it means: Disability awareness signifies educating society regarding disability and how we as individuals can bring about the necessary change. Learning acceptance is the fundamental approach to having an understanding of disability awareness What disability inclusion means: Disability inclusion means understanding the relationship between the way people function and how they participate in society and making sure everybody has the same opportunities to participate in every aspect of life to the best of their abilities and desires. Put a smile on: Let those with developmental disabilities feel your love and support. Help them reach their dreams and encourage them to unleash their inner potential. One of the most meaningful ways you can do this is by donating to causes for disability awareness and/or supporting events that raise understanding of developmental disabilities. To support also can wear orange: Orange is a color symbolizing energy and positivity. It’s also the official color of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. One of the easiest ways to recognize D.D. Awareness Month is to invite your team to wear orange. So grab your orange attire, and let’s celebrate! Share on social media: Social media is a great way to connect with your community and raise awareness about developmental disabilities. By posting to your social media channels, you will amplify the voices of people with disabilities. #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityawarenessmonth #disability #NDDAM #wearorange #March2024 #southernoregon #oregonprovider #oregonnonprofit #disabilityawareness #DDAwareness2024 #DDAM #DDAM2024 #NewOpportunities
#NationalEmployeeAppreciationDay 🌟 Today, and every day, we celebrate our incredible team at Living Opps on National Employee Appreciation Day! Thank you for your great work on our accomplishments, your skillful hand at building connections shines bright. Your teamwork cultivates an environment of growth. At Living Opps, we passionately embody our mission of supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live in the same neighborhoods, work for the same employers, and share in the same experiences to which we all aspire. In everything we do, we uphold our core values: Respect, Choice, Quality, Community, and being a Catalyst for Change. From our DSPs to Job Coaches to our administrative staff, each member of our team exemplifies these values, bringing them to life in every interaction and decision. THANK YOU! 🎉 #EmployeeAppreciationDay #LivingOpps #DisabilityServices #ThankYouTeam #TeamLivingOpps #OregonNonprofit
Tomorrow kicks off Developmental Disability Awareness Month! We are celebrating the lives of people with disabilities by highlighting stories, resources, and information about disability in our world. The theme for this year’s month is “A World of Opportunities”. #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityawarenessmonth #disability #NDDAM #wearorange #March2024 #southernoregon #oregonprovider #oregonnonprofit #disabilityawareness #DDAwareness2024 #DDAM #DDAM2024 #NewOpportunities
🍿Today is National Popcorn Day! 🍿 How do you like to eat your popcorn? #livingopps #teamlivingopps #nationalpopcornday #popcorn #snacktime #roguevalley #southernoregon #dofunthings #saltedcaramelpopcorn #popcornrecipe #🍿
TODAY! Thurs, Dec 7 11:00 am - 7:00 pm 50% off select art 50% off paper pieces 25% off 2024 calendars Art cards, t-shirts, and more! . #roguevalleyarts #southernoregonlife #thestudio #livingopps #teamlivingopps #artistsoforegon #artsaletoday #giftideas2023 #medfordoregon #southernoregon #medfordoregon #roguevalleymall
Join us at The Studio TODAY! Thursday, December 7 11:00 am - 7:00 pm . #roguevalleyarts #southernoregonlife #thestudio #livingopps #teamlivingopps #artistsoforegon #artsaletoday #giftideas2023 #medfordoregon #southernoregon #medfordoregon #roguevalleymall
Stop by on Thursday, December 7, for a special Holiday-themed viewing of Studio art. Pop in for a quick hello or swing by for a bit and view the wonderful art on display. Maybe you’ll find the perfect piece to purchase as a Holiday gift for that special someone in your life. “Deck the Walls” | Holiday Art Sale featuring artwork by Artists of The Studio at Living Opportunities & local community artists @ The Studio at Living Opportunities Rogue Valley Mall entrance #3, lower level #roguevalley #southernoregon #southernoregonartist #livingopps #teamlivingopps #oregonartist #inclusiveart #southernoregonlife #oregonnonprofit
Stop by on Thursday, December 7, for a special Holiday-themed viewing of Studio art. Pop in for a quick hello or swing by for a bit and view the wonderful art on display. Maybe you’ll find the perfect piece to purchase as a Holiday gift for that special someone in your life. “Deck the Walls” | Holiday Art Sale featuring artwork by Artists of The Studio at Living Opportunities & local community artists @ The Studio at Living Opportunities Rogue Valley Mall entrance #3, lower level #roguevalley #southernoregon #southernoregonartist #livingopps #teamlivingopps #oregonartist #inclusiveart #southernoregonlife #oregonnonprofit
#GivingTuesday is Today! Join the global movement of generosity with a gift to Living Opps. Make a donation online by clicking the donate link in our bio. Your gift supports people with disabilities and their families to live, work, and follow their dreams. #livingopps #teamlivingopps #roguevalley #southernoregon #oregonnonprofit #dogood #givingtuesday2023 #disabilityservices #biggerthanourselves
Happy Thanksgiving! Wishing you a Thanksgiving overflowing with peace, love, and laughter. #Thanksgiving #Thanksgiving2023 #thankful #livingopps #teamlivingopps
"Let's stop 'tolerating' or 'accepting' difference, as if we're so much better for not being different in the first place. Instead, let's celebrate difference, because in this world it takes a lot of guts to be different." -Kate Bornstein #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityadvocacy #southernoregon #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon #accessabilityforall #accessabilitymatters #accessability #livelifehappy
This is our 8th and final week of our 2023 Couch to 5k Challenge! Can you believe it!? Time has flown by! Participants have been working hard and staying on top of the training program to be ready for the virtual 5k that is coming up this weekend (11/10-11/12). To celebrate all our hard work, there have been great prizes that were raffled off this week. Thank you Kona Bento, Bioskin, and Ace Force 1 for your generous donations! On top of that, our 5k swag bags were sent out this week. The t-shirt design this year was created by one of our Studio Artists, Danny Cooks! #TeamLivingOpps #LoppC25k #medfordoregon #southernoregon #southernoregonrunning #oregonrunners #couchto5k #dobetter #5k #selfimprovement #moveyourbody
Mark your Calendar for #GivingTuesday! Tuesday, November 28, 2023 GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of radical generosity. GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. It’s a simple idea: 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 contribute toward building the better world we all want to live in. #givingtuesday #livingopps #teamlivingopps #oregonnonprofit #roguevalley #disabilityservices #givingtuesday2023 #comingsoon
"It is important to enable people to use their abilities and talents to support themselves." -Dr Temple Grandin #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityadvocacy #southernoregon #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon #accessabilityforall #accessabilitymatters #accessability #livelifehappy
Team LOPP is pushing through their training, finishing off week 6 with running or fast walking for 22 minutes straight! The 5k is in our sights and we are working hard! “Enjoy training, fall in love with it, and become it. By doing so, you will look forward to running, not finishing, and that makes all the difference in the world.” -Michael D’aulerio #TeamLivingOpps #LoppC25k #medfordoregon #southernoregon #southernoregonrunning #oregonrunners #couchto5k #dobetter #5k #selfimprovement #moveyourbody
"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." -Christoper Reeve #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityadvocacy #southernoregon #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon #accessabilityforall #accessabilitymatters #accessability #livelifehappy
Week 5 saw Team LOPP filling their lungs with fresh cool air. We love running in Autumn! “Our running shoes have magic in them. The power to transform a bad day into a good day; frustration into speed; self-doubt into confidence; chocolate cake into muscle.” -Mina Samuels #TeamLivingOpps #LoppC25k #medfordoregon #southernoregon #southernoregonrunning #oregonrunners #couchto5k #dobetter #5k #selfimprovement #moveyourbody
"The test of civilization is in the way that it cares for its helpless members." -Pearl S Buck #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityadvocacy #southernoregon #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon #accessabilityforall #accessabilitymatters #accessability #livelifehappy
The end of week 4 has officially put us at our halfway mark of this challenge! Team LOPP has begun to find their groove and are coasting their way through training. But don’t forget about those rest days! “The most important day in any running program is rest. Rest days give your muscles time to recover so you can run again. Your muscles build in strength as you rest.” -Hal Higdon #TeamLivingOpps #LoppC25k #medfordoregon #southernoregon #southernoregonrunning #oregonrunners #couchto5k #dobetter #5k #selfimprovement #moveyourbody
"You will fall in love many times in your life. But the best one will be falling in love with your best friend." -Unknown #LiveYourLife #StoriesofLivingOpps #livingopps #teamlivingopps #southernoregonlife #southernoregon #roguevalley #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon
"Inclusion evelates ALL" -Elaine Hall #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityadvocacy #southernoregon #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon #accessabilityforall #accessabilitymatters #accessability #livelifehappy
Living Opps Couch to 5k Update! Whether you are training on the treadmill or taking advantage of the amazing trails in Southern Oregon, we are all working towards a common goal of finishing that 5k next month. Finding what works for you is the beginning of more healthy habits to come! “In running, it doesn’t matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, ‘I have finished.’ There is a lot of satisfaction in that.” #TeamLivingOpps #LoppC25k #medfordoregon #southernoregon #southernoregonrunning #oregonrunners #couchto5k #dobetter #5k #selfimprovement #moveyourbody
"One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." -Henry Miller #LiveYourLife #StoriesofLivingOpps #livingopps #teamlivingopps #southernoregonlife #southernoregon #roguevalley #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon
"Abled does not mean enabled. Disabled does not mean less abled." #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityadvocacy #southernoregon #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon #accessabilityforall #accessabilitymatters #accessability #livelifehappy
Week 2 brought some much needed rain to the Valley but didn’t stop us from training. Way to go Team LOPP! “Running in the rain: Exercise, therapy, and a shower…all at the same time” #TeamLivingOpps #LoppC25k #medfordoregon #southernoregon #southernoregonrunning #oregonrunners #couchto5k #dobetter #5k #selfimprovement #moveyourbody
"Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment." -Claude Monet #LiveYourLife #StoriesofLivingOpps #livingopps #teamlivingopps #southernoregonlife #southernoregon #roguevalley #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon
"Chances are, disabled or not, you don’t grow all of your food. Chances are, you didn’t build the car, bike, wheelchair, subway, shoes, or bus that transports you. Chances are you didn’t construct your home. Chances are you didn’t sew your clothing (or make the fabric and thread used to sew it). The difference between the needs that many disabled people have and the needs of people who are not labelled as disabled is that non-disabled people have had their dependencies normalized." -AJ Withers #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityadvocacy #southernoregon #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon #accessabilityforall #accessabilitymatters #accessability #livelifehappy
Team LOPP figured out pretty fast that working out together is the way to go! Week 1 in the books! “There’s a closeness about people who run together. We become better friends, better athletes, and better women (people) by the company we keep.” -Kristin Armstrong #TeamLivingOpps #LoppC25k #medfordoregon #southernoregon #southernoregonrunning #oregonrunners #couchto5k #dobetter #5k #selfimprovement #moveyourbody
Our annual Couch to 5K Challenge is here! What is the Couch to 5K you might ask? It’s a program that’s helped many people go from non-runners to crossing that 5K finish line. Together we’re following a plan guiding us to running or walking your way towards that 3.1 miles in the next 8 weeks. Fall is here and the weather is cooling down. What a great time to get started on a new challenge! Follow the LOPP team to see how everyone is doing! #TeamLivingOpps #LoppC25k #medfordoregon #southernoregon #southernoregonrunning #oregonrunners #couchto5k #dobetter #5k #selfimprovement #moveyourbody
“Take your job seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously.” – Alex Trebek 2023 Spirit Week 🥳 Wacky Sock Day Hat Day Fandom Day Decades Day Living Opps Swag Day 💙💚🧡🖤 #teamlivingopps #spiritweek2023 #dspappreciationweek #medfordoregon #roguevalley #ashlandoregon #southernoregonlife #southernoregon #theteamthatplaystogetherstaystogether #oregonnonprofit
It is my pleasure to share with you Manager of the Year, here are some of the great things employees had to say in her nominations: "It seems to me that our values and mission are always on the forefront of their mind. They're an advocate for choice, even when that choice involves risk. They request high-quality support from staff, and in turn, provide high-quality support TO staff. They have faced many new situations, several that have been challenging, over the past couple of years. Every time a new problem comes up, they absorb feedback from the team and use our values as a guide." "She makes sure that everyone we support gets the same level of respect and understanding as everyone around them. She works hard and makes sure her employees and the people we support always get what is needed. She always has the individual's best interest at the forefront at any hour of any day. She is always available to any staff that may have questions as to what would be the best way to support an individual and she does so with compassion and caring so you never feel as though you have failed at your job." "She has this ability to teach, train and speak to people that makes them feel empowered. Her compassion and understanding of our individuals surpass everything that I can even explain. She can be kind but also firm and able to put on her "boss pants" when needed but able to have compassion and understanding when things are not ideal. I can honestly say without jest that she is by far one of the best bosses I have ever had since starting in the workforce 20+ years ago." Congratulations Manager of the Year …..Tamra Weston from Supported Living #TeamLivingOpps #LivingOpps #OregonNonProfit #employeeoftheyear #ashlandoregon #medfordoregon #southernoregon #teamshoutout #teamworkmakesthedreamwork
The role of a support professional has many descriptions. Our DSPs are coaches, caregivers, teachers, devoted advocates, healthcare providers, and more to the people we support. Because of them, we are able to achieve our purpose and strive toward our vision for a welcoming community that embraces individuality and passionately supports and empowers people. And now, our 2023 Assistant Manager of the Year Award! Here is what staff had to share in his award nomination: "This person shows everybody how it is to be a support staff. They are always ready to lend a helping hand. I have seen them on many occasions where there is support needed somewhere and they are right there. They rarely get to spend time in the office doing "Assistant manager stuff", because they are always out helping individuals and staff. They train exceptionally well, and are not afraid to tell you when you need to work on something specific in your job. But they let you know in a way that is not negative." "The quality that stands out the most to me when I think about this person is Respect. Of course treating our clients with respect is a given part of our job, but some do this better than others, and they are one of them. The connection between them and the folks we support at Lithia/Harper does not look like a stereotypical staff—>client or caregiver—>dependent dynamic because while most people strive to treat clients as equals, They simply see them as their equals. This goes a long way in establishing trust and rapport because our clients can tell the difference between respect that is professional and respect that is humanistic and genuine. I think being nominated on the basis of respect might irritate him because he does not think there should be praise for simply carrying out one’s given responsibilities, however, I think he exemplifies respect to a degree worth acknowledging because he sets the standard for everyone else." Congratulations ……….. Bryan Dollarhide Assistant Manager of the Year!!!!! #TeamLivingOpps #LivingOpps #OregonNonProfit #employeeoftheyear #ashlandoregon #medfordoregon #southernoregon #teamshoutout #teamworkmakesthedreamwork
"Knowning that we can be loved exactly as we are gives us all the best opportunity for growing into the healthiest of people." -Fred Rogers #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityadvocacy #southernoregon #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon #accessabilityforall #accessabilitymatters #accessability #livelifehappy
A poem by Blaine Lindsey for our DSPs This bright fall morning I’m excited to speak that I’m celebrating DSP appreciation week! A Direct Support Professional provides important care. They serve as a living, are present and there to help another person with the mundane and rare. We all develop differently, but our current society doesn’t easily accommodate all our human variety. How beautiful is it that organizations find a way to bring services to the people so they can have a good day? And that professionals step up, those who love to serve, making sure all of our neighbors live the life that they deserve. Respect and gratitude to All DSP’s, PSW’s, & HCPs!! #livingopps #TeamShoutOut #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon #southernoregon #teamlivingopps #DSPappreciationweek #DSPsRock
This year, we’ve added a new Employee of the Year category: Crews. Our Crews’ Teams’ provide janitorial and landscaping services within our community. These people are working behind the scenes to keep operations humming in many office buildings, local parks, and even our own sites. Taking out the trash or mowing the lawn can be an underappreciated job, but it is sure noticed when it isn’t done. These staff continuously show up to do the overlooked tasks, and for that we give a huge THANK YOU! Our Crews Employee of the Year received this praise from co-workers: He is someone who respects their coworkers and always gives 100% in order to do quality work. This person is usually in a good mood at work and is known for being kind and respectful to his coworkers and others out in the community. He helps his coworkers and supervisor any time that he sees that they need help. For example, he recently saw a coworker struggling with cleaning the bathrooms. He dislikes cleaning the bathrooms but showed the spirit of community as he helped his coworker finish cleaning the bathrooms. Congratulations to Robert Farmer on being the Crews’ Employee of the Year! #TeamLivingOpps #LivingOpps #OregonNonProfit #employeeoftheyear #ashlandoregon #medfordoregon #southernoregon #teamshoutout #teamworkmakesthedreamwork
Our Supported Living Program (SLP) supports individuals to live independently in our community. People within SLP live by themselves, with housemates, friends, a spouse, or other family members. The people we support are able to live alongside their neighbors and enhance the lives of everyone around them. None of this would be possible without our amazing DSPs. We are so blessed to have our team of DSPs here and appreciate each and everything they do; from every meal made, to every ISP goal achieved,nand everything in between. Their tireless commitment to the physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional needs of those whom they provide care for is what makes them irreplaceable. To our DSPs, thank you from management, but more importantly, thank you from the individuals you support. We see the joy in a simple Dutch Brothers coffee, a spontaneous dance around the kitchen, shopping for something special, or small steps toward a big goal. Thank you!! The code of ethics we strongly believe in & exemplify is “My First Allegiance is to the Person I Support”. This is evident in your work. We appreciate all that you do each day. Now to acknowledge Supported Living’s Employee of the Year: She is the very definition of our mission and values. She is always ready to help, she shows each and every person respect and dignity. She is the type of person who will make sure you are having a good day, even when you are not. She is always positive even when she doesn't feel it herself. She treats all individuals with respect, exemplifying kindness and inclusion in her words & actions. She always prioritizes the needs and wants of the people supported, never letting details slip through the cracks. She really cares about the work she does, down to the smallest detail, for example: when supporting individuals, she is more than ready to go and clean apartments and make them shine. She really does go above and beyond for the folks we serve. The SLP DSP of the year is: Brooklynn Atkinson!! #TeamLivingOpps #LivingOpps #OregonNonProfit #employeeoftheyear #ashlandoregon #medfordoregon #southernoregon #teamshoutout #teamworkmakesthedreamwork
During DSP Appreciation week, we also take an opportunity to recognize the efforts of all of our employees for the dedication and commitment to Living Opps, the people we support, our mission and values. For us, the Admin Team includes staff in a variety of roles including HR, Finance, IT, The Studio, Courier, Bridging Communities, maintenance, and more. It’s our way to capture staff as a cohesive team that all work together on broad projects across the organization. Accolades for The Admin Employee of the Year state: This employee demonstrates genuine respect for everyone in the organization, regardless of their role or abilities. His affable nature and ability to communicate effectively with both staff and the individuals we support showcase a profound understanding of the dignity of every person. He has fostered a sense of community within our organization. His ability to collaborate and connect with everyone creates an inclusive environment that resonates with our mission. He is not just an exceptional employee; he's a superstar collaborator and a dedicated advocate for our mission. Whether it's his effortless ability to manage his time, his consistent delivery of results, or his warmth and empathy towards the people we support, Ron stands as a beacon of what Living Opportunities strives to be. Congratulations to Ron Lyman, the Admin Employee of the Year! #TeamLivingOpps #LivingOpps #OregonNonProfit #employeeoftheyear #ashlandoregon #medfordoregon #southernoregon #teamshoutout #teamworkmakesthedreamwork
What does it mean to be a DSP? “This is probably the most challenging of the jobs I’ve had in my life. This is mainly because of the many different aspects to the job. One minute you’re side by side cleaning & cooking, then you’re off to go grocery shopping, then to a medical appointment, reconciling financials, documentation of everything we do and all with multiple individuals. At any moment you could get a call from your manager that someone got hurt and you need to meet them at the emergency room. You could be there for hours past the end of your shift. We as DSP’s must be “jacks of all trades” but can’t become the master of anything when we aren’t paid enough to survive and become proficient at our job. When you can make as much working fast food, who wouldn’t do that? Well, someone like me who gets satisfaction from making a difference in someone’s life. To see the faces of the individuals that I support, light up when they see me, knowing that I’m someone they are familiar with and have worked here long enough to develop a relationship with them.” It’s National DSP Week! We’re taking the week to honor the hard work of our DSPs and Living Opps Team Members. This week includes the 2023 Employee of the Year Awards, staff appreciation gifts, spirit week with themed days, and more. #DSP #DSPappreciationweek2023 #DSPsareessential #DSPsRock #LivingOpps #TeamLivingOpps #OregonLife #OregonNonprofit #SouthernOregon #SouthernOregonLife #RogueValley #MedfordOregon
Our 2023 Employment Employee of the Year is someone who has grown tremendously throughout their time here. From Day 1, this Job Coach has consistently shown up with compassion, professionalism, and a willingness to learn. They have prioritized learning and meeting the needs of the people we support and making sure each person feels important and seen. They give supported people the space to try things their own ways, and they seek to understand and ask permission before helping when someone is struggling – respecting their autonomy and ownership over their job duties. This job coach learns what makes work fun for people and tries to incorporate these things into people’s work days. They do silly just as well as they do serious, and they’re adaptable and flexible. She has stepped up over the last year in many ways. She is prioritizing her own self-care by making time for the activities outside of work that nourish and renew her, and this shows in her work as she is more centered, self-aware, and confident. She created a couple of really cool videos of people in their workplaces last fall for Oregon APSE’s monthly APSE Hour. Through her videography, each person was able to tell their own stories and showcase their skills – and have a lot of fun doing it! As she has taken on more responsibility and new tasks, she has developed a better understanding of the documentation process and she took the initiative to talk with newer staff about how to do documentation. Recently, a coworker was having a hard day and she was there to support them with compassion and warmth; she listened without judgment, validated their feelings, gave them a big hug, and shared her own experiences and strategies with the challenging work situation her coworker was facing. Shani Maynard brings so much to Living Opps, from her cheery disposition to the respect, kindness, and compassion she gives not only to the individuals we support but also to her peers, our business partners, and everyone she encounters in the community. Congratulations, Shani! #TeamLivingOpps #LivingOpps #OregonNonProfit #employeeoftheyear #ashlandoregon #medfordoregon #southernoregon #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #2023
What does it mean to be a DSP? “I believe in the work that I and others do as a DSP sometimes goes unnoticed or many people have never heard of a DSP. When mentioning what I do I say "I am a DSP" in which they respond with a confused look and a pause of silence. I then follow it up by saying "I am a Direct Support Professional" again same response. I then proceed to go into more detail " I am a Direct Support Professional, I take care of individuals with IDD. I give them support in their day to day lives weather that be personal care, administering medications, cooking, cleaning, keeping up to date on any medical needs they may have, getting them out into the community to do the things they enjoy doing such as going to local lakes, hiking trails, parks, movies, the mall, going shopping and whatever else they may be in the mood for on any given day." They then respond with "Oh, wow that has to be so rewarding." It really is rewarding I get to help make a difference in someone's life. I get to be a part of helping them build independence and help them live a happy and healthy life. There is so much good that comes with this job, there is also the rough days. Some people I have supported have a hard time communicating to us what is wrong or if they are having a bad day. Sometimes the way they show their anger/frustration/pain is through physical aggression. I still show up, I still have a passion and love for what I do.” It’s National DSP Week! We’re taking the week to honor the hard work of our DSPs and Living Opps Team Members. This week includes the 2023 Employee of the Year Awards, staff appreciation gifts, spirit week with themed days, and more. #DSP #DSPappreciationweek2023 #DSPsareessential #DSPsRock #LivingOpps #TeamLivingOpps #OregonLife #OregonNonprofit #SouthernOregon #SouthernOregonLife #RogueValley #MedfordOregon
This week is our opportunity to show our appreciation to our DSP’s and we cannot say enough about how much we value them! We appreciate the unwavering compassion and care that they provide every day. DSP’s deserve endless recognition for the selflessness and commitment to the progress of others. We are grateful for the knowledge and expertise that they bring to the work. They demonstrate patience and understanding in every interaction, and this creates safe and inclusive environments for people to thrive. They all do so much and we cannot thank each of them enough. We are pleased to share the Residential department's Employee of the Year for 2023. Here are some of the things people had to say about them: "This person exemplified our mission and values since day one. They have taken the time to truly get to know each individual at the site and have put forth effort to truly get to know them as individuals. They lead by example and the other team members at our site look up to them." "She has built relationships with each individual that’s special and unique to just them. She uses humor and is respectful towards them in all aspects. She is always up for doing/trying something new. She has taken on many roles/duties while working grocery shopping, safety committee, med coordinator, and more." "In this line of work, it's not always about the BIG moments it's about the little ones too, giving the people we support the acknowledgment that we are here for them, paying attention to their likes and dislikes, and having staff that not just support them but truly care. And that is Alexis, she truly cares about the work she does and making sure they live with a good quality of life, being happy and healthy." Congratulations Alexis Sitzer from Golf View !!!!!! #TeamLivingOpps #LivingOpps #OregonNonProfit #employeeoftheyear #ashlandoregon #medfordoregon #southernoregon #teamshoutout #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #2023
It’s National DSP Week! We’re taking the week to honor the hard work of our DSPs and Living Opps Team Members. This week includes the 2023 Employee of the Year Awards, staff appreciation gifts, spirit week with themed days, and more. But what does it mean to be a DSP? “I have been a Direct Support Professional with Living Opportunities, Inc. for over 3 years. I came into this profession expecting it to be like every other job I'd had up to that point, and to my surprise I couldn't have been more wrong. Every day I get to touch people's lives and try to make a positive difference. I'm there when they have successes, and I'm there when they have setbacks. I feel anger and sadness on their behalf whenever it seems that the scales are tipped against them. I help the individuals I serve to advocate for themselves, and I step in and advocate for them when needed.” #DSP #DSPappreciationweek2023 #DSPsareessential #DSPsRock #LivingOpps #TeamLivingOpps #OregonLife #OregonNonprofit #SouthernOregon #SouthernOregonLife #RogueValley #MedfordOregon
"If we are to achieve a richer culture, we must weaver one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place." -Margaret Meade #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityadvocacy #southernoregon #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon #accessabilityforall #accessabilitymatters #accessability #livelifehappy
Our Officially Official Super Scientific Evaluation Report [OOSSER] (1) on the ability of the Tyrannosaurus Rex to work in an assistant position to our highly valued Direct Support Professionals [DSP] (2) is finally through the “extensive” “peer review” stage (3) and ready to share! OOSSER results: Tyrannosaurs Rex’s do not have the skills, attention span, or long-term desires to work in a supportive environment. T-Rex’s are able to provide moments of fun interaction but overall their ability to perform duties such as cooking meals or making phone calls is short lived as their attention span is similar to a goldfish and lasts only a few seconds. As evidenced by their shopping spree at the mall when on a visit to The Studio. Final Conclusion: DSPs would not benefit from the addition of T-Rex Assistants to their role. Footnotes: (1) The Officially Official Super Scientific Evaluation occurred during Summer 2023 with valuable input from clients, staff, and all levels of management (2) DSPs are the backbone of Living Opps. They provide day-to-day services to support each client in whatever areas of life they need. (3) The “extensive” “peer review” stage included discussion amongst staff about how fun the dino visits were, reporting from our dino wrangler, interviews of administrative staff, and interviews with clients. #DinosDoNotMakeGoodDSPs #trexadventures #DSPsRule #medfordoregon #southernoregonlife #ashlandoregon #RogueValley #livingopps #oregonnonprofit #DSP #teamlivingopps #disabilityservices
"Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it." -Andy Rooney #LiveYourLife #StoriesofLivingOpps #livingopps #teamlivingopps #southernoregonlife #southernoregon #roguevalley #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon
"Accessibility allows us to tap into everyone's potential." -Debra Ruh #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityadvocacy #southernoregon #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon #accessabilityforall #accessabilitymatters #accessability #livelifehappy
"I could never in a hundred summers get tired of this." -Susan Branch #LiveYourLife #StoriesofLivingOpps #livingopps #teamlivingopps #southernoregonlife #southernoregon #roguevalley #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon
"Nobody's good in everything. Advantages and disadvantages come in many forms." -Charles Schwab #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityadvocacy #southernoregon #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon #accessabilityforall #accessabilitymatters #accessability #livelifehappy
"So much of who we are is where we have been." -William Langewiesche .. #LiveYourLife #StoriesofLivingOpps #livingopps #teamlivingopps #southernoregonlife #southernoregon #roguevalley #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon
"Disability is a natural part fo the human experience that does not diminish the right of individuals with developmental disabilities to enjoy the opportunity to live independently, enjoy self-determination, make choices, contribute to society, and experience full integration and inclusion in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of American Society." -The Developmental Disabiliites Assistance and Bill of Rights Act .. #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityadvocacy #southernoregon #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon #accessabilityforall #accessabilitymatters #accessability #livelifehappy
"Do more things that make you forget to check your phone" .. #LiveYourLife #StoriesofLivingOpps #livingopps #teamlivingopps #southernoregonlife #southernoregon #roguevalley #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon
"We should celebrate neurodiversity - the world would be poorer and life duller if we were all the same." .. #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityadvocacy #southernoregon #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon #accessabilityforall #accessabilitymatters #accessability #livelifehappy
"At the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair messy, and your eyes sparkling." .. #LiveYourLife #StoriesofLivingOpps #livingopps #teamlivingopps #southernoregonlife #southernoregon #roguevalley #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon
"There is only one way to look at things, until someone shows us how to look at them with different eyes. -Pablo Picasso .. #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityadvocacy #southernoregon #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon #accessabilityforall #accessabilitymatters #accessability #livelifehappy
"Summer means happy times and good sunshine" .. #LiveYourLife #StoriesofLivingOpps #livingopps #teamlivingopps #southernoregonlife #southernoregon #roguevalley #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon
Being disabled should not mean being disqualified from having access to every aspect of life. .. #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityadvocacy #southernoregon #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon #accessabilityforall #accessabilitymatters #accessability #livelifehappy
"In summer, the song sings itself" -William Carlos Williams #LiveYourLife #StoriesofLivingOpps #livingopps #teamlivingopps #southernoregonlife #southernoregon #roguevalley #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon
The world needs different kinds of minds to work together. We're better together. .. #livingopps #teamlivingopps #southernoregon #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon #rewardingcareers #workforlopp #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #oregonnonprofit #worktogether #makeadifference #everydaymatters
"It's all about a balancing act between time, temperature, and ingredients: That's the art of baking." -Peter Reinhart #LiveYourLife #StoriesofLivingOpps #livingopps #teamlivingopps #southernoregonlife #southernoregon #roguevalley #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon
"Improvements in laws and policies may be needed, but those can only establish a framework. Real human connections - infused with positive values - are what will make all the difference in the lives of people with disabilities." .. #livingopps #teamlivingopps #disabilityadvocacy #diverseworkforce #southernoregon #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon #rewardingcareers #workforlopp #makeadifference #humanconnection
"I could never in a hundred summers get tired of this." -Susan Branch #LiveYourLife #StoriesofLivingOpps #livingopps #teamlivingopps #southernoregonlife #southernoregon #roguevalley #medfordoregon #ashlandoregon