About Us

Established in 1965, The Opportunity Center has evolved from a modest personal development center located in the basement of a nurse’s home into a dynamic and innovative leader among service providers. Today, we have been able to expand our programs and services as a welcoming, enriching and caring environment for those with disabilities.

Leadership Team

Our leadership team is made up of many talented individuals certified in numerous health care and program positions to help lead our clients in a full and rewarding lifestyle. We are a fun, vibrant and mission-driven group!

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History

Established in 1965, The Opportunity Center has evolved from a modest personal development center located in the basement of a nurse’s home into a dynamic and innovative leader among service providers.

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Advocacy

The Opportunity Center actively supports the individuals it serves, along with their guardians, caregivers, staff, and community members, in advocating for the preservation of choice in work-related services for individuals with disabilities.

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Trained Professionals

Leadership Team

We are proud of our leadership team who are dedicated to our clients, families and surrounding communities.

Management Team:
Pam Ritchie, CEO
Lisa Swiggum, Office Manager
Kristy Knoble, Director of Programming – Transitions Teacher
Stacey Hannah, Director of People & Communications
Nicole Read, Director of Manufacturing
Dylan Varo, Director of Manufacturing (Successor)
Kim Thompson, Community Job Developer-DVR

Board of Directors:
Nancy Dowling, President
Michael Douglass, Vice President
Betty Brown, Director
Tarah Marx, Director
Jamie Stram, Director
Brenda Wilson, Director

Established in 1965

History

Established in 1965, The Opportunity Center has evolved from a modest personal development center located in the basement of a nurse’s home into a dynamic and innovative leader among service providers.

For over five decades, The Opportunity Center has provided clients with an empowering environment that fosters growth and achievement while adapting to the evolving needs of clients, business partners, and the community.

From its partnership with the Lansing Button Company in 1975, which offered clients their first paid employment opportunities, to collaborations with companies like Rayovac, Allen-Bradley, and 3M, The Opportunity Center continues to enrich both the community and the lives of those it serves.

Building An Exciting Future

Growth

The Opportunity Center has thrived by embracing innovation and addressing the evolving needs of the community.

In 2011, Sharing Spaces Kitchen was launched as a business incubator for local food entrepreneurs and as a platform for clients to develop social and vocational skills.

In 2017, Opportunity Enterprises was created as a for-profit center to help offset expenses for Opportunity Center. This entity allowed warehousing, packaging, building and equipment leases as well as a third-party greenhouse to be utilized to not only help the community, but to also give our clients a supervised employment opportunities that not all public businesses are able to provide.

In 2018, the Kozelka building in downtown Prairie du Chien became home to two new initiatives: Unity Adult Day Care Services and Café Hope.

Unity Adult Day Care services provides a lively, supportive environment for adults seeking enriched social and health-focused assistance.
Café Hope, the town’s newest sweet shop, offers clients meaningful vocational and social opportunities while serving up delicious treats to the community and beyond.

Building an exciting future on the strong foundation of our past, The Opportunity Center continues to be celebrated as an innovative trailblazer among service providers and business leaders.

Collaboration With Valued Partners

Advocacy

The Opportunity Center actively supports the individuals it serves, along with their guardians, caregivers, staff, and community members, in advocating for the preservation of choice in work-related services for individuals with disabilities.

By collaborating with the Disability Service Provider Network (DSPN) and ACCSES, engaging with elected officials, and participating in various advocacy campaigns, we have worked tirelessly to ensure the voices of those we serve are heard and valued.

The Opportunity Center takes an active role in the Disability Service Provider Network (DSPN), with our Executive Director serving on its board.

DSPN advocates for its members, including community rehabilitation programs and organizations offering center-based and supported employment, job training, day habilitation, residential services, early intervention, care management, and more. Collectively, DSPN members serve over 75,000 individuals with disabilities and economic disadvantages, employing more than 10,000 direct support professionals and other staff across Wisconsin.

Through its affiliation with DSPN, The Opportunity Center is also honored to collaborate with ACCSES. Based in Washington, D.C., ACCSES partners with government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that services nationwide recognize and support the full potential of individuals with disabilities.