Living Opportunities uses a unique and successful model to fulfill our mission and be recognized as a vital member of our community. Business and donor relations are the purview of new managers Baylee LaVoie and Lauren Cypher. In addition to researching potential employers and conducting job development for the Employment Department, they represent Living Opportunities at business and professional events, manage media contacts, and coordinate and conduct Snapshot Tours. Mutual cooperation is our mode of operation at Living Opportunities and we welcome and appreciate the experience, professionalism and teamwork Lauren and Baylee bring to the table.

ACES (Ashland Community Employment Services) started out in 1986 as a large, stark, cold room with a few small cubicles where people with developmental disabilities just congregated to sit around during the day. Its purpose and services have grown and changed throughout the years, and today it is a thriving hub of activity. ACES houses Living Opportunities staff who coordinate and support people on their jobs in the community as well as facilitate the Out & About program, which provides support for individuals to participate in leisure and social events of their choosing. Folks now have an opportunity to choose a variety of experiences – work for various employers in the area, participate in community events, go shopping, eat lunch at favorite restaurants and play a board game or work on collaborative art projects.

Thanks to a City of Ashland CDBG grant, we were able to completely renovate the interior of the building on Normal Street, transforming that large, dreary space into a functional and pleasing environment, with three offices, a technologically up-to-date training room, a lunch/project room, computer center and a comfortable spot to relax and read, watch a movie or listen to favorite music. The remodel has created an inviting and efficient space for presentations, meetings and events.

Thank you to our 14 Ashland Business Partners:

Ashland Drug, Ashland General Hardware, Ashland Springs Hotel, Ashland Family YMCA, Blackstone Audio, Inc., City of Ashland Fire & Rescue, Darex, LLC, Grange Co-op, Linda Vista Nursing and Rehabilitation, Natura Health Products, Pasta Piatti, Sesame Asian Kitchen, Waterstone Spa, and Yerba Prima.

Mieke has been painting at the Studio at Living Opportunities for 7 years. Every day Mieke paints in her own individual and unique style—all while happily listening and signing along with songs on her iPod. Mieke’s ability to paint in a pointillism style is only rivaled by the masters of art history. As Mieke paints with her one-of-a-kind wooden tool she does not even touch the surface and her paint magically dances onto the canvas. It is a miracle to witness.

What can we say? “Thank you” does not begin to describe how grateful we are to all attending the furnARTure auction in October. The revenue generated by this wonderful event will help with the cost of supplies and underwrite a scholarship program, allowing six artists, who would not otherwise be able, to share in the Studio experience and generate some marvelous fine art.

The December Holiday Art Show & Sale was also a smashing success! The Studio was packed with artists and guests in a buying frenzy; the long line at “checkout” was the first clue that all of you art lovers found that perfect unique gift. The turnout was so great, next year’s event will have to be at the Superdome!

Our initial deposit into the Endowment Fund was a modest $28,455.00. Subsequent donations total over $117, 128.38 and all dividends have been reinvested in the fund! Thanks to forward-thinking benefactors and responsible fiscal management by the Oregon Community Foundation, the Endowment Fund stands at $161,668.01 as of November 30th. Call Jim at 541-772-1503 to learn more about contributing to the future of Living Opportunities.

Are you looking for that perfect gift for the one who has everything?  A unique, original piece of art is your answer!  By purchasing a work of art from the Studio at Living Opportunities, you’ll not only be giving a beautiful one-of-a-kind gift, but you will also be supporting our artists. Come into the Studio during workshop hours (2-4 pm Monday through Friday) to see our huge gallery of artwork, and to meet the artists. Also, don’t forget our incredible holiday show where you can enjoy music of the season, hor d’ oeuvres, and affordable art on Thursday December 6 from 4:30 to 7 at the Studio!  Mention this Blog post and receive 20% off your fine art purchase!!  [one night only, good only in gallery not on online purchases].

October 7^th was another fine fall day in the Rogue Valley, and Bigham Knoll in Jacksonville was the perfect setting for the furnARTure auction benefitting The Studio at Living Opportunities.  Now in its third year, this annual event features everyday functional items that have been transformed into works of art by local professional artists.  The work of the Studio artists was also up for bid, making furnARTure a truly inclusive event, assuring that painters with disabilities are a part of the larger art community.  Many, many thanks to our generous event sponsors, the numerous volunteers whose countless behind-the-scenes hours made the event possible, and of course to the gifted artists who participated in this event.  With the assistance of auctioneer Chris Caldwell and spotter Ron Burgess, more than $31,500 was raised to directly benefit the artists of The Studio by providing supplies, instruction and scholarships for artists with disabilities to attend workshop sessions.

Art really is a common thread that unites us all.  It has the capacity to heal and be a self-esteem machine for those who are marginalized by society. In 2009 The Studio at Living Opportunities and the Children’s Advocacy Center began an annual collaboration to offer summer art workshop experiences for victims of child abuse.  This year 25 youth experienced the empowerment that comes from art.  We are very proud of this collaboration and of these young artists and we look forward to continued collaboration with CAC in the years to come.

Living Opportunities is a service agency.  Our “products” are the supports our employees give to people with disabilities to be able to live in the same neighborhoods, work for the same employers and share in the same experiences to which we all aspire. Doing right means doing right by our employees and I am humbled and honored to announce that for the third consecutive year, Living Opportunities has been rated by our employees as one of the Top 100 Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon.  There are more than 15,000 public charities [501 (c) 3] registered in Oregon and we rank 14^th in the category of large organizations.

Thanksgiving fast approaches and we here at Living Opportunities have much to be thankful for—great staff, wonderful volunteers and generous donors.  On behalf of the 300+ people we directly serve and their families thank-you, thank-you all

Best Regards,

Roger

An endowment fund provides stable funding and contributes to the growth of an organization. “A strong endowment is a key to our future; we must prepare for those who come after us to continue to fulfill our mission.”  Says Roger.  In 2011 staff and the Board launched an Endowment Initiative, raising more than $114,000 to date. Local artist Annette Julien was commissioned to create the Opportunity Tree, a beautiful sculpted wall piece recognizing these generous donors.  At the roots of this tree, signifying deep and long-lasting commitment to Living Opportunities, are names of those donors who have made contributions of $5,000 or more to the Endowment Fund.

Sunday, October 7^th marked our third annual furnARTure signature event at the beautiful Bigham Knoll campus in Jacksonville. The Cutler Investment Group has transformed an old school gym into a stunning banquet hall, which held a full house of 250 smiling, chatting guests who strolled the room, viewing live and silent auction Studio art work and striking, up-cycled, redesigned furniture from some truly talented local artists, including “Books I’ve Never Read,” an armoire by Chandra Hayes, “Where the Wild Things Sit,” a richly-painted chair by Ellen Cholewa, and “La Derniere Mode,” a hand-painted end-table by Studio Artistic Director Dan Mish.

Studio artist Simone-Renee shared her story and explained what The Studio means to her; “The Studio is very good for me, it’s fun, and I enjoy it. I take the bus to the Studio all by myself, and I feel proud and independent.” Afterwards, Simone-Renee’s piece, entitled “Springs Eternal”, sold in the live auction for $1,600, the highest price yet paid for a Studio artist’s work. Congratulations, Simone-Renee!

In addition to the live and silent auction, there was a singular and unique raffle item–a beautiful, custom-painted wine rack by artist Gabriel Mark Lipper, filled with over $1,000 worth of wine! Congratulations to Gwyn Lema, who had the winning raffle ticket!

Thanks to everyone who came and made the third annual furnARTure the dazzling, beautiful event it was, and for helping us to raise more than $31,500 for the Studio at Living Opportunities! If you are interested in participating in next year’s furnARTure event, either as an artist or as a member of the Planning Committee, please contact Baylee LaVoie at 541-772-1503.

Living Opps a Winner: 3^rd Year in a Row!

In September, Oregon Business Magazine announced the findings of their annual survey of non-profit organizations, and for the third year in a row, Living Opportunities was acknowledged as one of the 100 Best Non-profits to Work For in Oregon! In fact, this year we were listed as #14 in the Large Companies category (companies over 50 employees). Our sincere appreciation goes out to all of our dedicated employees, whose thoughtful and honest votes put us at the top again!

Similarly, the Medford Chamber of Commerce announced their 2012 Excellence in Business Awards. Living Opportunities was thrilled to receive the Outstanding Corporate Citizen Not-For-Profit award for this year! The Chamber Excellence in Business Awards honor those who have contributed to the local business community and are pioneering new paths in the local economy. Thank you, Medford Chamber!