OP Day Program update

For the safety and care of the people we serve and our community, and in response to Governor Tim Walz's most recent order, we are keeping our on-site day programs closed for now. While we certainly look forward to welcoming everyone back eventually, the COVID-19 crisis makes it impossible for us to re-open on March 30 as we had hoped. We will keep you informed as things change; regular updates are also posted to the OP web site.

To our business customers : Please note that our essential production operations are still open, and we are actively working to meet your packaging needs, safely and effectively.

Many of you have asked how you can help.

With our day programs comprising 60% of OP’s revenue, our continued closure could be financially devastating to OP and organizations like ours.

There are two ways you can help us now:

OP Gala - A different kind of affair!

 

W e’ve been planning our upcoming Gala for May 2 for many months. We are now faced with rescheduling the traditional event, which we count on to raise critical support, at time of  great need  for OP.

BUT we simply  cannot wait  until the fall to raise support for the people we serve.

We are so grateful for all those who have reached out to see how the recent events have impacted the people served at OP. Although our Day Service programming has temporarily shut down, we continue to care for individuals living in our homes and apartments. As many families and guardians are increasingly unable to visit their loved ones in residential settings, it is imperative that OP staff continue to provide vital supports. Costs have increased as we gather medical, protective, and cleaning supplies, to ensure safety of our people served and staff, and yet we need to be ready to serve the community that counts on OP in the future.

Therefore, we are looking forward to keeping our original  May 2 date as an online day of support for OP . Over the next several weeks we will be in touch about how you can engage in this urgent opportunity to support people we serve  (you can give now here!) .  Please watch your email for stories of hope and for ways to get involved!  Thank you  for supporting our mission of advancing the quality of life for people with disabilities.

Ongoing advocacy needed!

We rallied at the Capitol on March 10th on behalf of people with disabilities. Our advocacy needs have become even more urgent today, so we will continue to send you action alerts. We have temporarily closed day programs to keep people safe, yet we continue to support more than 300 people in our residential programs. Our trade associations are leading advocacy efforts; please watch for updates on the OP Facebook page and at ARRM and MOHR Minnesota.

Spaghetti success!

Thank you to our friends at the Hopkins Noontime Lions for hosting the 16 ^th Annual Spaghetti Dinner at OP-Koch Campus on March 5. While so much has changed in our world since then, what hasn’t changed is the care and support we feel from our community. Thank you!

Make our day!

We miss our day program friends so much!

Families, people served, staff and community friends – please email us your smiling photo to share a message of hope.

We will share your photos and messages on our OP Facebook page as an inspiration to us all!