From our humble beginnings in 1967 teaching ten children with developmental disabilities in a tiny church basement in Valparaiso, Indiana, Opportunity Enterprises has grown into an organization that changes the lives of more than 1,000 individuals with disabilities throughout Northwest Indiana.

We serve people with Autism, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, traumatic brain injuries, severe physical and mental disabilities, Alzheimer’s, dementia, loss of limbs, and other challenges. We support individuals who are profoundly challenged and have limited mobility as well as higher-functioning individuals who go to work everyday. We meet people where they are and challenge them to exceed their own expectations. We care for and support people from birth to death, literally from infancy and young adulthood through their twilight years as senior citizens.

Simply put, we help people of all ages and abilities learn, live independently, and work.
We’re in the business of Amazing People.

Our Vision
To create a community which values, appreciates, and accepts individuals of all abilities.

Our Mission
To create sustainable life choices and opportunities for individuals
with unique challenges and abilities.

Our Values
We accept people as they are. We support each person in growth and development. We are honest and believe in servant leadership. We strive for excellence and do our best each day. We value innovation and inquiry.

Our Company
A board of directors comprised of 15 members with local, regional, and state-wide influence governs the organization. Opportunity Enterprises:

• Serves approximately 1,000 individuals of all ages with challenges and disabilities throughout Northwest Indiana;
• Employs approximately 400 people on staff, contributing $7.8 million to our community’s economic vitality through wages/benefits paid to employees;
• Operates 13 facilities in Northwest Indiana, including administrative offices, day services and work center facilities, group homes, and a respite home.
• Creates social enterprises (http://www.se-alliance.org/) that are businesses designed to (1) employ individuals with disabilities, and (2) generate additional earned income to provide services to our clients.
• Provides CARF-certified (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Services) services to individuals with disabilities; and
• Engages the regional community through philanthropic and community service opportunities.

Our Strategic Direction (2009-2011)
We support individuals with unique challenges and abilities by:

• Making an early difference in the lives of children;
• Providing supportive job training and placement opportunities within OE social enterprises and community based employment;
• Supporting the needs of adults by providing choices for enriched learning, residential living, and recreational activity;
• Fostering an environment of inquiry and innovation for the advancement of service quality, programs, and supporting assets; and
• Maintaining efficient management and productive operations.

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This accreditation represents the highest level of official recognition that can be awarded to an organization and shows a substantial conformance to CARF standards.  During the review process, OE was evaluated through peer reviews and on-site visits pertaining to programs and services offered.  

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission it to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of persons served.  Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.