Opportunity Development Centers, Inc. (ODC)

ODC serves people with disabilities by providing skills training and employment services, and assistance in becoming more active in their communities.

ODC is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1965, whose mission is "to empower people with disabilities to achieve their work and life goals". The organization is governed by a 12- to 18-member volunteer board of directors; day-to-day operations are directed by agency president Pam Ross, who oversees 170 full- and part-time staff members that deliver the agency's services.

ODC has physical locations in Stevens Point, Marshfield, Wisconsin Rapids, Plover and Wausau. Service areas include Wood, Portage, Marathon, Taylor, Lincoln, Clark, Langlade and Adams counties...and growing!

ODC's services are driven by its vision: "communities strengthened and enriched by the abilities and contributions of all members". In 2016, 556 individuals participated in one or more services including CommunityLife, center-based training and day services. All services are person-centered and individualized to address each individual's goals.

ODC's approach to services, called CommunityLife, assists individuals in achieving their goals in both work and life. CommunityConnect, one component of CommunityLife, offers staff-supported, community-based activities that explore a person's interests and skills, build independence and confidence in accessing the community, and connect individuals to opportunities for community engagement. CareerConnect, another CommunityLife component, helps individuals identify community career opportunities that are personalized to their interests and strengths, and assists them in obtaining and maintaining community employment.

Center-based work training services in Wisconsin Rapids and Marshfield offer a variety of work and training opportunities along with the level of support each individual needs to perform their job. Services focus on building solid work habits and skills, with the optimal goal of securing community employment. ODC's Day Services provide life skills training and introduce individuals to community activities that allow them to explore their areas of interest.