Opportunity Villiage 40th

Opportunity Village Public Open House Saturday, Sept. 17 Kinney-Lindstrom Center on Village Road, Clear Lake

1 to 5 p.m.

We would especially like to thank these 40th Anniversary Event Sponsors

Stories by Elda Stone

Opportunity Village 40th Anniversary • Globe Gazette, September 15, 2011

A place of joy Basic history of the Village

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A group of Clear Lake people came together in the 1960s with a common purpose: to create a caring home for adults with disabilities as an alternative to state institutions. This nucleus included parents of grown children with disabilities, a pastor, a physical therapist, and others who simply understood the desperate need of families.

As recounted in the history “A Miracle of the 70’s” by Arlene Lashier, this group of people personally touched by a desire to improve the lives of people with disabilities came together in the late 1960s with the passion to do something about it.

Bill Otterman worked as a physical therapist in Mason City and knew firsthand the plight of families who had children with developmental disabilities.

“Many parents used to come to me and say, ‘What’s going to happen to my child when I’m gone?’ And I had no answers,” Bill recalled.

The only options then were county homes, state institutions, and nursing homes.

He remembers a woman with cerebral palsy who said, “What we really need is a place to live, not just exist.”

While recovering from surgery in 1964, Bill had a vision he believes came from Jesus Christ about a place where these individuals could have a meaningful life of their own.

Around the same time, Murley Severtson, a pastor at a Lutheran church in Illinois, visited the Bethel Institute in Germany, a facility designed for people in need, including those with disabilities. He was impressed by the family feel-

ing of caring for each other in community.

After his trip, Murley received a call to become pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, Iowa. The family moved to Clear Lake in 1966.

In the meantime, two families in Clear Lake struggled personally with their concerns for family members with disabilities.

Rae Bieber, a young dentist, and Bob Replogle, now a surgeon in Chicago, had been good friends since school years. Rae and Connie Bieber’s son Mark and Bob’s brother Ralph both were in need of support and something meaningful in their lives.

Somehow all these acquaintances started sharing their hopes and dreams for a better life for people with mental retardation and other disabilities.

On Aug. 9, 1966, this small group, meeting at the home of Dr. Rae and Connie Bieber in Clear Lake, reached a decision to create an active home-like facility for physically and mentally handicapped adults.

Bill Otterman recalls, “I always liked to say that Bob Replogle kicked our butts to get going. Or like Murley used to say, the car was loaded and gassed up, but he turned on the ignition to get it going.”

On Nov. 21, 1966, Handicap Village was incorporated as a private, non-profit,

Connie was orchestrated by God.” Bieber said, “It “As far as I’m concerned, doesn’t seem this has been the biggest like it’s been 40 dream of my life, and I years! I think never dreamed it would get it’s really fabu- this huge,” Bill Otterman lous that it has said. grown to what “It was such a delight to it is today. It’s see the joy in people who quite different had never had anything to than I visuallook forward to in a day. ized, but that’s Now they had a real life. It not to say it was wonderful to see the isn’t better.” happiness. It was brand new Mark Bieber then, so it kind of hit harder lived at home when it all was new.” for years and Like many of the foundattended the ers, Bill’s faith sustained his Village during dedication and makes him weekdays. Now humble. “Above all, my he lives in one wish is that people would charitable organization. The original campus. of the cottages.

Connie realize the Village is ChristRev. Murley Severtson was The name changed from said, “I don’t want to say centered, because we believe the first President of the “Handicap Village” to “OpI’m proud of what we did, it was God-inspired.”

Board. In 1969, the Village portunity Village” in 1994, because that sounds too purchased 80 acres of land to better reflect the Village self-serving. I still feel like it in Clear Lake, Iowa, with mission. the help of donations from the community. Donald A. Boyer was hired as the first Executive Director in November of that year, with backing from the Sage To mark the 40th anniversary of services Foundation in Michigan Opportunity Village is celebrating with a to cover his salary for two years.

Public Open House Groundbreaking for the on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011 first cottage home took A fun fair will be held from 1 to 4 p.m., with free carnival food, entertainment place on Oct. 5, 1970, and and games, hayrack rides, displays about Village services, and historical photos.

Pioneer Cottage opened on From 3:30 to 5 p.m., the Bill Dewey Band will play for a free dance Sept. 15, 1971. The other out on the Village plaza. nine cottages opened by 1974, and the first part of Boyer Pool, the Village’s indoor swimming pool the Kinney-Lindstrom Cenwill offer free swimming from 1 to 5 p.m. that day. ter was dedicated in 1977.

The Village disk golf course also is open every day.

Since then, several additions have taken place at the Also, Clear Lake Pharmacy will offer flu shots from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Village center. The Village also has nursing office. Cost is $20 cash or the pharmacy can bill for insurance if people expanded to many locations bring that information. and levels of service. Most of the growth has taken The Village General Store, located on Highway 18 W. place away from Clear Lake, will have a 40-cent sale that day to celebrate the 40th anniversary. so we now serve individuals All clothing and VHS tapes will be 40 cents each item, and selected shoes, purses, in some 30 communities housewares, jewelry, crafts, and books will be 40 cents each. around the northern part of The sale will run during normal store hours on Iowa. Only about one-fifth Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. of the more than 600 people we support today live on the

Public Open House

A note from our Executive Officer

The support of local communities built Opportunity Village and sustains it today.

The Village incorporated as a 501(c)3 charitable, tax-exempt corporation in 1966. Private donations helped purchase the property in Clear Lake and build the structures.

Today, financial support from individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations helps continue services to Iowans with disabilities through the Village. Money contributed to the organization stays in this area to support your neighbors.

Contributions help make up the difference between government-funded programs and the actual cost of services. In this climate of budget cuts and increased costs, that gap continues to widen. It is estimated that each year over $1,100 in donations per person served is needed to subsidize Village programs to over 600 people.

Many people find it meaning ful to give to the Village in memory of someone dear to them who has passed away or in honor of a special occasion in their lives.

Just as we celebrate the milestones in the lives of family and friends with gifts, a donation to Opportunity Village might be an appropriate way for you to mark this special anniversary year and the Village’s role in your life. Your tax-exempt donation to Opportunity Village may be mailed to the Village at PO Box 622, Clear Lake, IA 50428. Credit card donations also may be made through the Village web site, www.oppvill.org.

A gift through your estate is one way to sustain your support beyond your lifespan. Contact Michael Mahaffey, Chief Development Officer, at 641-3551231 or mmahaffey@oppvill.org for more information about planned giving and alternative ways to support the Village mission.

Village services have evolved

Forty years after it first opened, Opportunity Village has evolved into a diverse, wide-spread network of supports for people of all ages who have a variety of disabilities.

While the original 10 cottages remain in Clear Lake, the 150 people who call this main campus home are only a fraction of the more than 600 individuals who get Village supports in Iowa today.

The first outgrowth from the main site came with the opening of the Ralph Schroeder Group Home, located a mile east, in 1980. It was considered pretty controversial in its day, because the premise was to allow more independence for 10 individuals, and therefore more risks.

Now, supports for adults range from 24-hour active treatment in a home licensed

as Intermediate Care Facility/ Intellectual Disability in Clear Lake or Fort Dodge; 24-hour support in a cottage or group home licensed as Residential Care Facility/Mental Retardation in Clear Lake or Eagle Grove; or Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) in a long list of communities around the northern part of Iowa.

HCBS includes respite care, which gives family members a break, and Supported Community Living, which works on skills for more independent living according to a person’s abilities. Village staff providing HCBS supports come into a family home or an individual’s apartment or Villageowned home.

Service is centered in Clear Lake, Mason City, Lake Mills, Garner, Humboldt, Webster

City, Fort Dodge, Eagle Grove, Charles City, New Hampton, Osage, and Forest City. Many individual families receive services in smaller towns in the area.

Services to children were added in around 1995. The Village serves approximately 100 children ages 17 and younger, down to infancy.

Elisha Payton, Services Coordinator, said, “People around here seem to think Opportunity Village is only on campus in Clear Lake and only for very severely handicapped people. Then they see it and know what else we have. They didn’t realize there were so many opportunities.”

John Severtson, Chief Executive Officer of the Village, said the growth into various services and other communities has been the culmination

of discussions and planning, always answering the question, “Will this enhance or detract from our mission?”

“How did Opportunity Village get to be where it is today?

Because people asked us to do these things,” Severtson said.

“And that says something, when people ask for a particular support or invite you into their community.”

Since the Village has been open 40 years, it’s not uncommon for a person to have spent most of their adult life as part of the Village family. An individual may have moved away from home for the first time as a young adult, coming to a Village home with 24-hour staffing; moved to a smaller home in a residential neighborhood or apartment as they gained skills, with only minimal staff support; and then moved back

to a staffed home as the individual aged and needed more physical care or support.

Opportunity Village also offers Day Services to people in Clear Lake, Garner, and Fort Dodge.

This might include job readiness training, with paid work at Village sites, or can be Adult Day Habilitation, which includes adult day care and non-paid, meaningful activities. The Clear Lake site provides Music Therapy, gardening, art therapy, Creative Arts, and additional activities targeted to individual interests.

The Village also offers

Community Employment, with follow-along job coaching.

This encourages individuals with higher skills to land and keep a job at a local business.

Many people served here receive a combination of services, designed to meet their individual needs at home, at work, and in the community.

Opportunity Village 40th Anniversary • Globe Gazette, September 15, 2011

Opportunity Village means so many different things to people in North Iowa. You may know someone who receives services and supports. Maybe you know one of our 650 employees. Perhaps you sponsor someone who takes part in the Benefit Walk each spring. You might have had breakfast at the Festival of Trees or attended the grand opening on the first Friday in December.

Your children may have taken swimming lessons in the Boyer Pool or you do early morning exercise in the pool with the Aquabells. You might be one of our regular customers at the Village General Store who drop off their donations in the back of the Store and then go around to the front of the store to look for new treasures.

For 40 years, North Iowans have been welcoming and supportive to Village clients. The countless relationships and interactions enrich the lives of individuals immensely. Clients’ families have often told me how much they appreciate this support.

We hope that you will come out to our Open House on Saturday, September 17th.

You just might come away from that experience with a new or a renewed connection with the Village and the individuals who receive supports through the Village.

Thank you!

John T. Severtson Chief Executive Officer

Donations sustain the Village

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Congratulations

and Best Wishes on your

Opportunity Village on

40 YEARS

of great accomplishments.

Good Luck to you on your next 40!

40 ANNIVERSARY!

th

We applaud you and wish you all the best in the future...

418 Main Ave, Clear lake

4

THANK YOU 405 27th Avenue South Clear Lake IA Across from State Park

641-357-7083

Second location at 300 Lyndale St. Osage IA

641-832-2270

MS-50772

Opportunity Village visionaries and staff, for making such a difference in so many lives.

MS-50976

Opportunity Village 40th Anniversary • Globe Gazette, September 15, 2011

MS-50759

641-357-5241

210 N. 4th Street Downtown Clear Lake 641.357.2134 www.woodfordlumber.com

MS-50968

40th Anniversary Celebration

Mission Statement:

Opportunity Village commits to excellence in service to individuals with disabilities.

Ministry: We continue to honor the Christian principles on which the Village was founded, that all people are created in God’s image and worthy of respect.

Individuality: We are responsive to each individual’s needs and preferences.

Dignity: We treat everyone with love, respect and patience.

Diversity: We encourage freedom of choice by offering diverse and flexible services.

Quality: Our trained staff provide professional services, working as a team with individuals and their families.

Advocacy: We advocate for people with disabilities at the local, state and national level.

Accountability: We are good stewards of the public trust, offering cost effective services that ensure the long-term future of the Village.

Simplicity: We value communication, common sense and simplicity over excessive policy and bureaucracy.

Values:

CONGRATULATIONS

Happy

You have provided excellent service to individuals with disabilities!

We are proud to support Opportunity Village!

Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm • Saturday 8am-Noon

MS-50760

Clausen Plumbing & Heating

I-35 & HWY 18, Clear Lake IA

The Plumb Center

519 No. Federal, Mason city • 641-423-1034

Congratulations

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641-357-Benn (2366)

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ON

Opportunity Village, your organization is a great asset to North Iowa.

of service to the community

Our Pumpkin Patch will be ready for picking starting October 1st. Come out and make your selections for your fall decorating and baking.

40 GREAT YEARS

Furleigh Farms 811 N 56th St, Clear Lake IA 641-357-4097

MS-50777

Opportunity Village 40th Anniversary • Globe Gazette, September 15, 2011

40th

Opportunity Village

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Opportunity Village 40th Anniversary • Globe Gazette, September 15, 2011

A lifetime of support

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When Opportunity Village says it offers a lifetime of supports and services, it’s not just lip service.

Three of the first residents to move into the very first Village home in 1971 are still with the Village today, 40 years later.

Alan Oines, Carol Young, and Larry Lempke were among the first 16 residents of Pioneer Cottage on the original Village campus in Clear Lake. Today, although their lives have taken them through various changes at the Village, they all live together again in Morning Sun Cottage.

Alan was only 23 when he moved to the Village from his Clear Lake home. He remembers that “Mom cried a lot” on that first day, no doubt because the service was so new and this was Alan’s first time living away from home.

As he gained skills, he eventually moved down to the Ralph Schroeder Group Home a mile away, which was designed to give people more independence. Alan came back to the campus recently as he needed more support as he aged.

“I thought that was wonderful,” his mother Joanne Oines said of the opening of Village services 40 years ago. “I really think he’s doing well. He’s changing, and I think it’s a good place to change.”

Larry was 28 and Carol was 40 when they moved in. Both have lived on the main campus over the past 40 years. They are retired now from paid work, but attend day services at the

Kinney-Lindstrom Center.

Carol’s parents had already passed away when she came to the Village, and she remembers her sister helped her move in. Since her remaining family lives far away, Village staff Alan and Bonnie Marken have become special friends of Carol.

She is particularly attached to their poodle, Spike, who comes with Alan to work so Carol can spend time with him. The Markens take her out to dinner regularly. “She’s been enjoyable,” Bonnie said. “She isn’t just concerned about herself, she’s concerned about other people. I think she’s had a good life here.”

Four years ago, Rod Pump of Clear Lake met Larry when Rod joined the Iowa Guardianships Inc. Board of Directors. IGI was formed by the Village to meet the needs of people who no longer had family available to serve as guardians.

“I have learned that people with disabilities live longer and are healthier when they are stimulated by community. Larry is a prime example of this,” Rod said. “Forty years ago, incorporating ‘handicapped’ people into ‘regular normal’ society was a new concept. An experiment, if you will. Well, the experiment has worked. The foresightedness of his family was lifesaving.

Larry has lived beyond his expected years and is a contributing, valuable member of the Opportunity Village community.

Given a handicap, turned into opportunity.”

“The very fact of how long we have served so many people is a very amazing thing,” said Village CEO John Severtson. “It’s clearly a well-established trend. If you look at our memorial board, too, you’ll see how many we truly served through the end of their lives.”

Opportunity Village provides work throughout North Iowa Lindsey Nichols, 25, rides a transit bus about an hour to get from her home in Lake Mills to the Kinney-Lindstrom Center in Clear Lake, but she loves her jobs at Opportunity Village.

Lindsey started receiving supports from the Village in July 2010, having lived with her grandparents (Don and Dorothy Nichols, former Village employees) before that. She and four roommates share a house owned by Lake Mills Opportunities, a non-profit group seeking to better the community. The home is staffed by Opportunity Village. Her twin sister lives with their dad and attends the Village’s Garner Work Center.

“There’s a lot of nice people here, and I like the work!” Lindsey said. “I have a lot of friends here.”

Her jobs include small assembly packag-

ing for Larson Manufacturing, running the balers in the recycling area, and working in the shop. She is one of approximately 200 adults with disabilities who receive paychecks for work performed at the Village as part of job readiness training. In addition to the Clear Lake site, similar training is available at the Garner Work Center, which is attended by 27 people.

The jobs are made possible by contracts with local employers, who need specific tasks accomplished quickly and professionally. Workers are paid according to strict Department of Labor standards based on productivity and local wages.

“The Village has certainly done a wonderful job servicing us,” said Brian Throne, Iowa Operations Manager for Larson Manufacturing, which constructs storm doors. Workers at the Village package small components such as door handles and instructional literature for the doors, serving both the Clear Lake and Lake Mills plants.

“Customer service has been a key part of what you do for us,” Throne said.

“You’ve always found a way to respond to our changing needs. It eases the burden of us finding labor, and it’s very cost-effective to contract this out rather than doing it in-

Lindsey Nichols house. We do pretty significant volumes.”

Another company partnering with the Village is Advanced Component Technologies of Northwood, which makes tractor cab interiors for the agriculture industry.

Village workers assemble little parts like fasteners and Velcro into kits for the company. “It’s all those little things we really don’t have time to do,” said Tracy Anderson, a buyer for ACT. “It’s basically a time-saver, so we can take those little parts and grab them when we need them.”

Anderson said the Village delivers hundreds of parts every week and works on 25 to 40 different parts. “We think you guys are great! You do a good job for us.”

“It’s interesting,” he added, “my little brother lives over there and does some of the parts we send over.”

The Village also supports individuals who have advanced work skills, to get a job in the community on the payroll of a private employer. Job coaches help train the employee and follow up to ensure a successful job placement.

In addition to the work available at the Kinney-Lindstrom Work Center, Opportunity Village provides on-site jobs for individuals in the community at various businesses. These are called mobile crews and/or enclaves. Each enclave consists of CONTINUED to page 7...

Liz Gossard, then & now

Bev Statlander, then & now

Years of experience benefit residents items where almost every part was made by the clients.”

The Village shop got involved by cutting wood for project ideas Liz found at craft sales. First there was a “Sales Nook” in the KinneyLindstrom Center featuring items made by clients, and later the Village opened a gift shop at the first Village Store location. Eventually, the emphasis switched to work contracts and less time was spent on craft activities.

“I’ve made a lot of good friends here,” Liz said, looking back. “I appreciate the clients and all they can do. It’s rewarding to know you did something that day that would help them become more independent. It’s kind of the same every day, but there’s always something new, and you have to be flexible.”

Bev Stadtlander, of Meservey, has also worked here 37 years. She started out working in the cottages

.... individuals we serve and a staff person.

Some of the jobs include cleaning, recycling pickup, delivery of finshed product, and a campus mowing contract. A cleaning crew provides janitorial services twice a week at the Clear Lake Arts Center. “They do everything: vacuum, toilets, kitchen, empty trash, more of the heavy cleaning,” said Kim Larson, Arts Center director.

“It’s working out perfect, we love them.”

Marilyn Arndorfer, Employment Coordinator at the Village, said, “Although many of the employers I visit with know something about Opportunity Village, they are in awe of all the work opportunities we provide for those we serve and the extent of work we do for manufacturing companies.

“This truly is a win-win for all,” she said. “Our employers and companies get

last. I can’t imagine doing anything else, really I can’t.”

Nelda Tesar, another 37-year veteran from Clear Lake, came to the Village as a physical education supervisor. “Don Boyer (first executive director) used to say, ‘Give them a reason to get up in the morning.’ Then after a few years, it was ‘By golly, they can learn!’”

Nelda started out inviting people to come to the atrium of the original activity center and exercise to music. As soon as the gymnasium was built in 1977, everyone had more opportunities for fun and games. Three more P.E. teachers were hired. There was no budget for equipment, so Nelda started going to the Village Store to pick up whatever used sports equipment she could find.

They also drove clients to the YWCA indoor pool, before Boyer Pool was built, and began participating in Special Olympics.

“I remember one time when we were playing basketball, one young man was running back and forth, and we were losing 80 to zip, but afterwards he came over and said, ‘Oh, that was so much fun!’”

Later the philosophy of providing work for people with disabilities meant moving activities more from a school-type environment to

dependable workers that produce quality work in a time-sensitive industry. And the individuals performing the work do so with a feeling of being a productive trainee worker earning a wage to be more financially independent.”

When Lindsey Nichols is done with work, she often joins her housemates in watching a softball game at the Lake Mills field, goes out to a movie or restaurant in

a workplace, so physical education was phased out. Today, clients participate in recreational sports as leisure activities. Nelda now works as Staff Training Coordinator.

“I used to bring my kids to wonderful parties here for clients and staff, and I think my kids learned how to be with persons with disabilities from that,” Nelda said. “I see the advocacy growing and the way people in the community accept people with disabilities. Clear Lake has really been an outstanding community for supporting people and integrating them. The Village has really impacted the community in a positive way.”

Other current Opportunity Village employees with 30 or more years of service are Gary Clark, Dan Peterson, Pete Faust, Gordon Peterson, Cyndi Reid, Pat Larsen, John Olson, Donna Peterson, Bill Hughes, Al Marken, Ann Hoefer, Jackie Petersen, Ray Peterson, Shawn Frerichs, Rose Davis, Bonnie Knutson, Bonnie Marken, Norman McClary, Claudette Mix, and Penny Froiland. Cathy Callanan just retired in August after 30 years.

their town, or shops for groceries at the local store. They share chores like cleaning and cooking and do their own laundry.

But mostly what she likes about working at the Village is the people. “I think the communication is very good here. It wasn’t at the place I used to work. And that’s what I like, too – you respect us. I’ve learned how to treat people with respect and not judge people.”

Opportunity Village 40th Anniversary • Globe Gazette, September 15, 2011

One of the more impressive facts about Opportunity Village’s 40 years is that 23 current employees have worked here 30 years or more. That represents more than 750 years of experience.

Liz Gossard, Clear Lake, started in June 1974 as director of the crafts program. “Bill Otterman called me and said, ‘Can you start today?’ and I said, yeah, give me a couple hours and I can be there,” she remembered. She served as crafts supervisor for 31 years and currently is in charge of client attendance.

In the beginning, the crafts were strictly for activity and entertainment, as Village residents made projects out of things that were donated or found, to take home to their rooms for themselves. “Eventually, after seeing the talents clients had and what they could do, we started making things to sell. We tried to find

and now is Employment Services Team Leader.

“The process of hiring is so much different today,” Bev said. “I met with Lamar Esbeck in the offices, which were then in Executive Cottage. He asked me a little bit of personal information and if I could cook for 16 to 20 people and when I could start. I don’t remember having any orientation or personal training.”

Staff in the cottages then had more duties, and most of the activities were centered on the main campus. They used to have “cottage days,” a day spent back at their cottage home to work on things like cleaning and cooking.

Today, all those things are done at the end of the work day or on weekends, since most people on campus work or have day services at the Kinney-Lindstrom Center.

“I love my job!,” she said. “I’ve had so many different jobs within the Village. The unconditional love of clients is what makes you want to come back every day. If you’re having a bad day, it doesn’t

Nelda Tesar, then & now

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Kudos and Congrats to a fine organization on

40 years of success.

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40 Anniversary

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Staff L-R: MaryLou Fitch, Sue Platts, Rockford Anderson (Owner/PharmD), Cheri Barlow, Abbi Roberts, Kim Langfald

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Opportunity Village 40th Anniversary • Globe Gazette, September 15, 2011

Congratulations on 40 amazing years here in Clear Lake.

Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:30pm, Sat 9:00-1:00pm Clear Lake’s only independently owned pharmacy

40th Anniversary Celebration

I have had the distinct pleasure serving

developing meaningful relationships and having lives of value and productivity reas a trainer and consultant to Opportugardless of the significance of the person’s nity Village for approximately ten years.

Every year that I return to the Organiza- disability. In my consulting throughout tion, I marvel at the exceptional progress the country, I frequently encourage other providers of services to make a pilgrimage achieved in fulfilling the mission and vision of the agency. Opportunity Village is to Clear Lake Iowa so they can see firstcommitted to promoting opportunities for hand the exemplary professional practices individuals with disabilities to have greater blended with remarkable sensitivity toindependence in managing their own lives, wards the people they support. I extend

And

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Opportunity Village 40th Anniversary • Globe Gazette, September 15, 2011

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Opportunity Village 40th Anniversary • Globe Gazette, September 15, 2011

“We grow from each other”

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Ruth Rayburn came to Opportunity Village for the swimming pool, but also found a new friend.

“For some reason, we just seemed to connect,” said Ruth, a long-time Clear Lake resident who comes most days to exercise in Boyer Pool. She made a friend in Nick Boberschmidt, who lives in Four Seasons Cottage and likes to stop by the pool office during the lunch hour.

“I’ve been coming to the pool almost since the time it opened (1988), because of my legs and back,” Ruth said. When she gets ready to leave, Nick is always there to carry her bag, take her arm, and see her to her car. “ ‘Get your legs in, Ruth,’ he’ll say. ‘Get your seatbelt on.’ If we’re early enough, we’ll walk around the building before he goes back to work.”

When her husband Charles started coming to the pool with Ruth, Nick “took a shine to him, too.”

“I have a grandson about that age – 23. We’ve known Nick since he was a day resident.

To me, if I can get a smile and interact, that means a lot,” she explained.

Nick put his arm around Ruth’s shoulder and said, “That’s my girl!”

Cindy Richardson, pool manager, said, “I think he looks at her like a grandma. They just visit and visit. It’s a cool friendship.”

The pool has been a good open door for Opportunity Village. “People come out here and learn about us,” Cindy said. “They’re usually surprised how easy it is to get to know people here and how much they like it. We’ve gotten several new staff out of it and many volunteers. A lot of younger people who came for swimming ended up learning about how the Village could help them with services. I think there is definitely more awareness and acceptance around Clear Lake because of the Village.”

The Village not only has the philosophy of involving people with disabilities in their communities, it invites the community into the Village.

A disc golf course meanders on Village grounds in Clear Lake, built with memorials received from the family of Darrell Hier. On most nice days, visitors can be found making their way around the nine-basket course.

Volunteers are also welcomed into the Village, offering their unique interests and talents through the Village General Store or various service areas throughout the Village’s communities.

Harold Arians, who teaches music at Clear Lake Schools, commented, “I would just like to say how awesome it is to see the residents involved in our community. When I first moved to CL in 1984, I was not used to that. In my hometown area, it seemed as though folks with disabilities were kept separate from the rest of the community. That was all that I knew.

“To see the integration of the residents into our community AND into the schools is so refreshing and uplifting. We grow from each other. I believe that is how life was meant to be.”

Mary Stattelman, who became active with the Village through her involvement at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Clear Lake, said she remembers working on integrating people from Opportunity Village into the congregation.

“People were a little bit afraid, not sure how to approach them. The whole thing has just turned around, now they are accepted as members of our parish,” she said. “People attending from the Village are also one of the reasons we put in an elevator at the church,

W

orking at the Village is a constant lesson in humanity. The people we work with have the amazing faith of a child, patience of Job, and compassion beyond reproach. It is so fun to watch people blossom and grow, accomplishing things we once thought would never happen. It’s nearly impossible to feel down or blue when you’re around those we serve. My family and I have been forever touched by the Village.

Michael Mahaffey Clear Lake, Chief Development Officer

T

he Village General Store is a unique experience because all of the volunteers are working towards a common goal, which is to raise money for the Village. The joy of volunteering there, for me, has been to work among the people who benefit from the volunteer work we do.

Ann Grady Mason City, Store volunteer

to be able to handle wheelchairs. One man was set against it, kept saying we don’t need it. But you know, he was one of the first ones to use it after he had a knee accident. Also, we expanded the bathrooms to be accessible.

Mary worked with Carroll Ungs about getting curbs built downtown to accommodate wheelchairs. “Now it’s pretty standard, but in those days we were pretty far ahead.” The church also bought an old school bus to pick up Catholic parishioners from the Village and other people who need a ride to church.

Rod Pump, Clear Lake, is a volunteer on the Iowa Guardianships Inc. Board of Directors. “I think that children that grow up in Clear Lake are better prepared for the world as a result of the Village,” he said. “The Village has de-stigmatized ‘handicapped’ persons.

Removing the fear of someone that appears different than the norm. Clear Lake youth are more likely to go into the world, recognize someone that may need assistance in their daily life, and step in to offer that help. A lasting permanent legacy of the Village.”

Village Store: Something for everyone! operating deficits,” according to Michael Mahaffey, Chief Development Officer.

In a typical day, the Store conducts some 300 customer transactions. They may be shopping for men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing, household goods, fashion accessories, books, furniture, antiques and collectibles, toys and games, or seasonal decorations.

One of the early Store managers liked to tell the story of the woman who snuck some old clothes out of her husband’s closet, only to have him unknowingly buy back his own suit, thrilled to find this great suit in his size.

The Store also offers work and volunteer opportunities for people served by the Village. Twenty-five clients currently are paid to work at the Store throughout the week, accepting drop-off donations, sorting goods, cleaning the Store, and hanging clothing. Three full-time job coaches support them in their jobs. Other clients volunteer from time to time, greeting customers or helping with special projects.

Two full-time Village employees and one part-time staff oversee Store operations.

Dedicated volunteers are the backbone of the Store’s success. Around 200 volunteers contribute nearly 23,000 total hours in a year at the Store. They run the checkout counter, sort and price donations, help look up values on collectibles, and organize displays.

“One of the incredible things about the Store is the friendships that are made between the volunteers,” said Michael Mahaffey, Chief Development Officer. “A

The Swenson family: A family tradition of volunteering.

lot of people come to volunteer at the Store to fill a void – maybe they retired or lost a loved one or their children are grown – but I don’t think they realize it’s going to be more than just busying themselves. It turns into an extension of friends.”

For more information about volunteering at the Store or throughout the Village, contact Elin Miner, Volunteer Coordinator, at 641-355-1212 or eminer@ oppvill.org.

Opportunity Village plans to open a second thrift store this fall in Fort Dodge. With the addition of Northwoods Living into Village services, Fort Dodge provides another opportunity for serving the community there and supporting Village programs in that area.

The Village General Store, at 830 Highway 18 W. in Clear Lake, is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday (7 p.m. winter closing hour); 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday; and 1 to 5 p.m.

Sunday. A bag sale is held the third Thursday of every month.

What others have to say about Opportunity Village...

We have chosen to retire and live in Clear Lake because our daughter lives at Opportunity Village. We have experienced services for special people in several localities and even other states. Simply stated, we are here because of the PEOPLE; that is, staff, administration, and front line workers. The level of concern, dedication, and professionalism at Opportunity Village mark it as a “Leader in its Field”. We think we are very lucky to be able to volunteer and make a difference at such a remarkable facility.

George & Edi Case Clear Lake

O

pportunity Village has given my sister the opportunity to live her life to the fullest.

My sister would like to keep working and earning money, and if it wasn’t for the Village staff reaching out to the state and national level this would not be possible.

Donna Banta Garner

Working at the Village has taught me to be more thankful for abilities that most people take for granted. It has also taught me to be more giving and service oriented.

Pete Faust Clear Lake, employee

I

would just like to say how awesome it is to see the residents involved in our community. When I first moved to Clear Lake in 1984, I was not used to that. In my hometown area, it seemed as though folks with disabilities were kept separate from the rest of the community. That was all that I knew. To see the integration of the residents into our community AND into the schools is so refreshing and uplifting. We grow from each other.

I believe that is how life was meant to be.

Harold Arians Clear Lake

Opportunity Village 40th Anniversary • Globe Gazette, September 15, 2011

Looking for a Halloween costume? An extra dresser for your son’s room? A cool big brooch for your winter jacket? A pageturner to read by the fire this winter?

Just about anything you can imagine turns up at the Village General Store, the thrift shop of Opportunity Village.

Donations of gently-used goods from the community are sorted and sold back to local people, benefiting North Iowans served

by Opportunity Village. It’s the perfect Reduce-Reuse-Recycle set-up, and it all benefits local families.

The first Village Store opened in August 1972 in a small building along Highway 18 in Clear Lake, to help financially support Village services to local people with disabilities. Today, the Store is located just a block east in what used to be an entire strip mall of several shops.

The Village Store is holding a 40cent sale on Saturday, Sept. 17, in honor of the Village’s 40th anniversary. All clothes and VHS tapes are only 40 cents each on Saturday. Selected shoes, purses, housewares, jewelry, crafts, and books also are 40 cents each that day only.

Yearly sales at the Store have nearly doubled since the last major expansion in 2005. The addition of a convenient drivethrough drop-off shelter at the rear of the Store has increased the amount of donations processed.

Whether you shop at the Store or drop off donated goods, you are supporting Village services for Iowans with disabilities.

“Store revenue is one key component in our formula for addressing annual service

11

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Opportunity Village 40th Anniversary • Globe Gazette, September 15, 2011

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40th Anniversary Celebration

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t has been my honor and privilege to work for and with individuals with disabilities for over 36 years now. I have learned so much about life from these folks.

They have taught me to be thankful for the simple things in life and to appreciate my good health. My experience working at the Village has been equally fulfilling.

I so appreciate our culture of “we care”. Our genuine concern for the individuals we support, their family, our employees, and our communities makes me feel so good about working at the Village.

Jim Aberg Village Services Director

Thank you

to our great cleaning crew for keeping us in such good shape. Your efforts are appreciated.

I’ve lived at Opportunity Village for 38 years as of Sept. 22.

I’ve had my ups and downs but this is my home. My family knows that I’m happy and being well taken care of, and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. The staff, even starting way back, are wonderful, and I feel very safe and secure.

Deanna Lingenfelter Oak Hill Cottage

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In Gratitude~ Long-time Clear Lake resident Edith Replogle lived every day in a mindset of thankfulness, even though she was told that her oldest son would not live beyond 10 years because of his cerebral palsy. But Edith and her husband Ralph Sr. were determined that Ralph Jr. would have every opportunity to live a full, useful and happy life. Edith was one of those hard-working visionaries who could see the ground-breaking potential of a residential facility which could enrich the lives of so many. Her son became the first client of what was then Handicap Village and lived a full and active life until he passed on at age 70.

We are thankful for Opportunity Village and the loving environment provided for its first client and so many others. We salute you, Edith, Ralph, other visionaries and all the Opportunity Village staff who through the years and today are helping miracles happen.

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40th Anniversary Celebration

Opportunity Village 40th Anniversary • Globe Gazette, September 15, 2011

the past 28 years. I believe I am a better parent and now grandparent because of what I have learned by experience here. I appreciate the extra mile that the Village will go to meet the needs of others; it could be a person served or family member or community person...and this occurs frequently! Happy Anniversary OV...I wish you 40 more.

Barb Ewer Clear Lake, employee

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Opportunity Village 40th Anniversary • Globe Gazette, September 15, 2011

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Unwanted goods into cash & jobs

take drop-offs directly at the work center, but generally contracts with local businesses and processes excess items from the Village Store.

In a typical year, the Village ships about 15 semi-loads or 645,000 pounds of textiles to buyers. The Village also Recycling operations at Opportunity Village transform picks up unsold textiles from Affordables run by North unwanted goods into cash and jobs for people with disabili- Iowa Vocational Center in Mason City and the Salvation ties. Plus, we get to serve the community’s needs and help Army thrift store. the environment!

Cardboard brought in by Larson Manufacturing of Expansion of the Kinney-Lindstrom Center in 2006 and Clear Lake is baled and sold, amounting to more than the addition of new markets for recycled goods has led to a 500,000 pounds. growth in both revenue and job opportunities.

The Village picks up paper for confidential document Village recycling provides paying jobs for 30 to 40 destruction from 30 businesses, usually over 100,000 individuals in Clear Lake. Job duties include baling of pounds per year. We charge for the service and sell the cardboard, shredded paper, and textiles; sorting textiles at shredded paper. the Village General Store; collecting recyclable materials; Can and bottle redemption is a joint project with the sorting and counting cans and bottles for redemption; and Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber procrushing cans that are non-refundable. vides eight collection bins around town. The Village workRecycled materials include textiles, shoes, cardboard, ers pick up, sort, and redeem the cans and bottles, sharing shredded paper from document destruction, cans and a percentage of proceeds with the Chamber to help pay for bottles, and used household items. The Village does not July fireworks.

Village workers have recycled more than 3,000,000 cans and bottles, bringing in revenue from nickel deposits and non-deposit cans crushed to be sold as aluminum.

“The Fourth of July fireworks at Clear Lake is very, very important to the community,” said Gary Bright of the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce. “To have the Village do all the heavy lifting out there is terrific. It’s been a fantastic project for us, hopefully for the Village, too.”

The newest category of recycled goods is “bric-a-brac.”

This includes household items donated to the Village Store that are not sellable or overstocked items not in pristine condition. Selling these miscellaneous items in bulk increases revenue for the Village while decreasing the items taken to the landfill and decreasing landfill costs.

Northwoods Products & Services, the Village work activity site in Fort Dodge, also does document destruction services and has a market for shredded paper as bedding for livestock and puppies. Several kennels buy shreds from Northwoods Products & Services. Another business uses it for packing.

NPS receives more than 30,000 pounds of confidential documents for shredding from businesses and individuals in a typical year.

Festival of Trees

Opportunity at the Pool

Opportunity Village welcomes the community to use Boyer Pool, an indoor heated swimming pool open to the public.

The pool opened in 1988 to provide recreation and therapy for people receiving Village services, but with the view to also offer options for the public. Boyer Pool is Olympic length, varying from three feet depth at each end to five feet in the middle. It also is accessible, with a broad stair, handrails, and a lift. Certified lifeguards are on duty. A heated therapy whirlpool is available from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

If you’re a regular swimmer, you may wish to purchase a membership in Boyer Pool. This entitles you to come as many times as you wish throughout the

Festival tickets are available at the door or in late November at the Village main office in Clear Lake.

For more information about the Festival of Trees, call Elda Stone, 641-355-1241.

Visit the Village web site at www.oppvill. org in November for the complete Festival schedule. The Festival is part of a community-wide celebration “Christmas By the Lake.” For more information about Christmas by the Lake events, call the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce at 641-357-2159.

period of your membership. Non-members pay $2 each day. Membership also includes a discount on swimming lessons.

“It has been wonderful to have people come out here and learn about the Village,” said Cindy Richardson, pool manager. “We have gotten several new staff out of it and many volunteers.”

In some cases, young people with disabilities who have come for play or swimming lessons also have learned about the services available to them through Opportunity Village, Richardson said.

The shallow depth of the pool makes it great for kids and for aqua exercise, as well as for swimming. In addition to public swimming hours, Boyer Pool offers Red Cross swimming lessons for children ages 4 and older.

Lessons are scheduled five or six times a year for fourweek periods. Richardson

said forty to sixty children enroll each session. Cost is $15 for pool members or $25 for non-members. Private lessons also are available for children or adults. An adult aqua exercise group meets every weekday morning.

The pool also is available for parties. “It’s birthdayparty central here all winter long. It’s amazing,” Richardson said.

Boyer Pool is available to rent at $45 an hour at arranged times. The pool also can be used for parties during normal swim times, with a minimum rate of $25. Large groups may be charged more to provide adequate lifeguard coverage.

Richardson said, “The community does so much for the Village, by keeping our prices low and the pool open, it’s something we can do back for the community.”

Shortly after the first Village cottage opened, a local woman was asked to record the personal recollections of the local people who created this new place. Her book, “A Miracle of the 70’s,” was published in 1974.

“It’s an exciting story, and I am grateful for the priviledge and pleasure of telling it,” said Arlene Rentsch Lashier in the introduction of the initial printing.

The book detailed the vision, prayers, and soul-searching of Bill Otterman, a local physical therapist seeking answers for the people he treated; Pastor Murley Severtson, inspired to find a greater purpose for individuals with disabilities; and the Bieber and Replogle families looking for a better life for their loved ones.

Lashier also tells the story of Don Boyer, disabled himself due to polio, who became the dynamic force capable of breaking ground as the Village’s first director.

The “Miracle” book continued with a description of the early operations at Handicap Village and glimpses into how life had changed for some of the first residents.

When the book concluded, the Village had finished 10 cottage homes and the beginnings of an activity center on the original site.

Looking ahead to the future, Lashier quoted early staff member Lamar Esbeck: “I guess what I’m trying to say is what many of us thought was the culmination of a wonderful vision is merely the advent of a larger dream. The concept of Handicap Village is still in its infancy and in dire need of divine guidance, devoted people, and financial support so more handicapped people can live with dignity, hope, and purpose.”

The transition from Handicap Village as described in this book to Opportunity Village today is a significant transformation. The Village now has so many more accommodations and personalized supports for living, working, and socializing, including supports to individuals with disabilities in more than 30 Iowa communities. Even the term “Village” has taken on a much broader and richer meaning to stand for the necessary connectedness that is so fundamental to a fulfilling life.

The change of the facility’s name in 1994 is only one example of how much of the terminology and language has changed since the original “Miracle” book was written.

These shifts came about as attitudes changed about people with disabilities, with more inclusion into the community.

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the beginning of services, Opportunity Village is issuing an abridged version of the book, containing the historical chapters of the original volume. Copies of the reprinted “Miracle” book will be available at the anniversary open house on Sept. 17. The second half of the original “Miracle” book described the Village as it existed in 1974, which is of historical interest but no longer current, and it contained personal information about people served which would not be considered appropriate today. “However,” said John Severtson, current Chief Executive Director of Opportunity Village, “we wanted to preserve the history of our beginnings and make it available again to today’s audience interested in where our values began.”

Looking back on the 40 years since the Village opened, Arlene said, “It has exceeded everyone’s dreams and expectations! It’s a wonderful miracle and asset for so many people, including the town of Clear Lake.”

Opportunity Village 40th Anniversary • Globe Gazette, September 15, 2011

The 16th Annual Festival of Trees is Dec. 2-4, 2011, at Opportunity Village in Clear Lake. Proceeds from the Festival of Trees support services for people with disabilities at the non-profit Village.

The Festival has become a local family tradition for kicking off the holiday season.

More than 100 Christmas trees, wreaths and swags of all sizes are decorated by local groups, individuals from the community, and design professionals. Festival visitors can admire their handiwork and buy an entire display with decorations to take home after the weekend. Delivery can be arranged in the Mason City or Clear Lake area for the larger trees for a $25 fee.

The Festival of Trees will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. General admission to tree displays on Saturday and Sunday is $2. All Festival events are held at the Village, located north of Fareway off Highway 18 in Clear Lake.

The weekend includes Opening Night on Friday, with hearty appetizers, desserts, and live music; Breakfast With Santa, Santa’s Workshop (free children’s crafts), and the Secret Shop on Saturday morning; and a Cookie Walk on Sunday.

Some stories deserve re-telling

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Congratulations

16

40th Anniversary Celebration HAPPY 40th ANNIVERSARY!

Opportunity Village

We admire the commitment Opportunity Village has to individuals with disabilities. Their mission provides dignity, diversity and individuality to all they serve.

You have made amazing contributions to our community!

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Opportunity Village 40th Anniversary • Globe Gazette, September 15, 2011

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