Opportunity Workshop’s ‘Giving Back Program’

February 16, 2015

donation photo2Last year the Opportunity Workshop, under the Ministry of Health, Seniors and Environment, introduced their “Giving Back Program,” which was met with resounding success among the community.

A spokesperson said, “Opportunity Workshop services Bermuda’s developmentally challenged population ages 18 and up.  The primary focus of their ‘Giving Back Program,’ was twofold; firstly, to teach clients the value of giving to others and, secondly, to be of service in their community.

“There are several initiatives within the Giving Back Program which all involved clients of the Opportunity Workshop giving back to the community in some form.

“The most recent initiative was their annual food drive for the needy, where clients donated nonperishable breakfast and lunch food items.

“Feed the Children Ministries [FCM] was selected as the recipients this year, for the second year running. Last year, over the course of only a few weeks, clients donated enough food items to provide FCM with 46 breakfasts and 53 lunches. The items went towards helping nine schools in Bermuda.

“This year, there were even more donations made, which will provide weeks of breakfasts and lunches for children. The Opportunity Workshop presented the food to FCM on February 13th – the day before Valentine’s Day.

“Feed the Children Ministries charity has been in operation for over ten years, and is affiliated with the Southampton Seventh day Adventist Church. It is run by a group of volunteers who prepare and deliver meals daily to eight schools.  They provide breakfast, lunch or both to approximately 27-46 children throughout the school year.

“The students that benefit from the Feeding Programme are identified by the Guidance Counselors from each of the respective schools.   The estimated cost of running this program for this academic year is $28,000-$30.000.

“The Opportunity Workshop center is located on Roberts Avenue. It offers, among many other things, job skills training and placement, functional living skills, therapeutic recreation, occupational therapy and physiotherapy services.

“Additionally, it runs a community outreach program. These services are all tailored to the unique strengths and needs of each client.  There is also a production center where clients produce goods for sale in the community.

“Another initiative under the Giving Back Program involves Opportunity Workshop clients visiting Packwood nursing home and participating in an array of activities including tennis, board games and ball games alongside residents.

“A further initiative involves clients attending the Sunshine Seniors Club monthly functions at the Southampton Seventh Day Adventist church. Clients help to set up tables and serve food and beverages to the members.”

“Orange Valley and Opportunity Workshop used to work independently to serve Bermuda’s developmentally challenged adult population. But the two entities recently joined together on one campus to provide a wider, more encompassing program, to better serve its clients with different disorders and provide optimal care.”

“The reaction from our clients has been so positive,” said Janet Raynor who is a Paraprofessional at the Opportunity Workshop. “They are so excited to go out into the community and help – they are really proud of themselves are so are we.  It gives them purpose and a true sense of satisfaction.

“We hope that our program also helps to brings awareness to the issue of hunger and the need for food donations in our community.”

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  1. PSJ says:

    Good Job! Nice to see this kind of things happening in the community!