Redmond, Oregon – The Opportunity Foundation of Central Oregon announced it has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Oregon Community Foundation’s James Weckman ASD Support Fund. The funding will be directed toward expanding employment‑training initiatives for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout the Central Oregon region.

Grant targets three core employment initiatives

The grant focuses on three key programs: Employment Path Services, Small Group Employment, and Supported Employment (Direct Hire). Each initiative is designed to build job‑skill competencies, provide community‑based work experience, and move participants toward competitive, integrated employment.

Since its founding in 1965, the Opportunity Foundation has delivered person‑centered residential, employment, and community services across Central Oregon. On average, the organization provides more than 2,180 hours of employment training each month to roughly 81 individuals, resulting in over 1,200 hours of work performed for local employers.

Leadership emphasizes the importance of philanthropy

Interim executive director Cierra Scurlock praised the grant, noting that private philanthropy is essential for sustaining the foundation’s mission amid “broader financial pressures and government funding uncertainty.” She said, “We are deeply honored and incredibly grateful to the Oregon Community Foundation for this generous $20,000 grant and for its continued support over the years. That support means so much to us and to the people we serve, helping create opportunities for vulnerable individuals to live, learn and work together.”

The infusion of grant money will allow the foundation to broaden its reach, offering more participants the chance to develop marketable skills and secure stable, community‑based employment. By strengthening the local workforce, the program also benefits regional businesses that gain reliable, skilled employees.

Community impact and future outlook

Local employers have welcomed the foundation’s efforts, reporting that participants often bring dedication, reliability, and a strong work ethic to the jobs they fill. The expanded programs are expected to increase the number of individuals placed in meaningful work, furthering the foundation’s long‑standing goal of fostering independence and inclusion for people with disabilities.

As Central Oregon continues to grow, the Opportunity Foundation’s focus on employment aligns with broader community goals of economic resilience and social cohesion. The grant underscores the vital role that charitable contributions play in supporting nonprofit services that the public sector alone cannot fully fund.

For more information about the Opportunity Foundation’s programs or to contribute, visit their website or contact the Redmond office directly.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.