March 30, 2016
Welcome back to Opportunity Partners' monthly e-newsletter, providing you with the latest news, events and ways to get involved.
Celebrating Success
 
Kala Kelley says she is happy to be alive for the first time since her accident, thanks to Opportunity Partners! Kala has been living with a brain injury she sustained in a car crash 13 years ago. She loves OP, her job on the production floor and her staff. In honor of March being National Brain Injury Awareness Month, Kala wants everyone to know that having a brain injury does not mean life is over. She says, "Just because you have struggles and fall-backs in life, doesn't mean that you can't make it. Everyone struggles, but everyone can make it."

Thank you, Kala, for being such an inspiration!
 
To learn more about Opportunity Partners' brain injury services, contact Jonathan Solie.
Ethan speaking at the rally
Advocacy in Action

Thank you to everyone who attended the ARRM/MOHR Day at the Capitol on March 15. An estimated 1,500 advocates rallied for a 5% increase for direct support staff. About 80 people from Opportunity Partners were present and we attended more than 30 legislative meetings.

One of the highlights of the day was OP's own Ethan Bussiere speaking at the rally. He shared his story about living at hoMEbase Westside and working at Habitat for Humanity. You can watch or read his speech online if you missed it.

If you were unable to attend this momentous event, join us for our Tuesday at the Capitol on April 26, co-hosted by the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MN-CCD). Meet in the Department of Transportation Cafeteria at 10 a.m.

For more information about how to get involved, visit our advocacy page on the website or contact Alicia Munson.
On the Blog

"Transition students achieve their fullest potential when they have a clear destination and develop a plan alongside their network to move toward that destination."

The move from a transition program to adult programs like Opportunity Partners can raise a lot of questions. But we have answers! Read Assistant Manager of Transitions and Certified Learning Platforms Nate Meissner's blog, where he gives transitioning students three tips on how to be successful.
Debbie and Hammer Staff Ben enjoyed the delicious spaghetti!
Success with Spaghetti!

The 2016 Opportunity Partners Spaghetti Dinner, hosted by the Hopkins Noontime Lions Club was a success! Over 300 people attended the event and raised more than $1,700.

The Lions served up
-40 pounds of spaghetti
-60 pounds of meatballs
-450 dinner rolls
-700 cookies!

Thank you to the Lions, all attendees and volunteers!
April is Autism Awareness Month

Did you know that Autism now affects over three million people in the United States? Here are some ways you can get involved:
Calling All Volunteers!

The Opportunity Partners Gala is coming up on May 14 and we need volunteers. If you are interested, please contact Alicia Munson.

Tickets are also still available. If you are going, let us know how excited you are by using the hashtag #OPGala16!
Upcoming Events
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Established in 1953, Opportunity Partners helps people with disabilities live, learn and 
work more independently through innovative services and collaborations with business. 

One of the largest social service agencies in Minnesota, we 
support more than 2,000 people with disabilities each year.