It feels like just yesterday we first set out on our journey to build The Opportunity Club. A small but mighty direct support agency, driven by the idea that every person, no matter how big or small, deserves a chance to unlock their full potential through the power of support. And now, as we celebrate our 5th anniversary, we are filled with gratitude, pride, and excitement for the road ahead!
In these five years, we’ve grown from a small team with big dreams to a full-service agency, helping clients across Oregon optimize their lives, goals, and dreams. This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, and we want to take a moment to reflect on our path and our milestones.
The Early Days: Dream Big, Start Small
When The Opportunity Club was first founded, we had a vision: to build an agency that wasn’t just about offering support services, but about truly partnering with our clients to discover the best strategies for their unique goals. We knew the road towards growth was long and sometimes overwhelming, but we also knew that with the right insights, the right tools, and the right team, they could flourish.
The decision to move forward was one of grit and determination -Leah Hays
Through all the trials and challenges, one thing remained constant: our commitment to empower, inspire, and unite.
Growing Pains and Major Milestones
As the years went on, we experienced the inevitable growing pains. We expanded our team, fine-tuned our offerings, and started to attract a broader range of clients, from clients experienced with support services to those just exploring their potential. Along the way, we celebrated several key milestones:
- Receiving Licensure in the Midst of COVID-19: The pandemic created needs that expanded exponentially for support services while simultaneously building up huge barriers. Receiving state licensure was not kid stuff, and the constant need to accommodate requirement updates was challenging. Despite the struggles, our perseverance would not allow our mission to fail!
- The Opportunity Club Culture: Over time, we realized that what made us different wasn’t just our ability to execute, but the way we worked together. Our team became our greatest asset—people who are passionate, creative, and relentlessly focused on empowering not only our clients but ourselves, our community, and communities not yet on board with what we practice. With kindness and patience, we are enlightening the lives of those around us to our mission of empowering through uniting; together we are stronger.
- Diversification of Services: As the need for a broader support scope arose, so did we to the task. We expanded from only providing direct support services to also offering job services, and we are actively undergoing the licensing for work incentive planning and behavioral supports. Our aim has always been to provide our clients with a comprehensive, person-centered approach and we are thrilled to be expanding our realm to encompass a wider range of services.
The People Behind The Opportunity Club
None of this would have been possible without our incredible team. Each and every person at The Opportunity Club brings something unique to the table, whether it’s creative problem-solving, technical expertise, or a commitment to client success. Our culture is built on collaboration, trust, and a shared passion for growth.
A quote from a long-time TOC employee near and dear to us:
At the time, I was looking for a role that wasn’t just about profits and numbers, but one that cared deeply about its people…Today, the company is stronger than ever, and I’m proud to have been a part of its journey. -Jaime Fernandez
Our clients often tell us that what sets us apart isn’t just our expertise, but the way we make them feel—like a valuable member of society. That’s because at the heart of everything we do, we care deeply about the people we support. We understand that it’s not simply another day at work, these are their lives we have the privilege to be a part of. It’s why we always go the extra mile, whether it’s persevering through a tough challenge or finding innovative ways to exceed expectations.
Looking Ahead: The Next Five Years
As we look toward the future, we’re more excited than ever about the possibilities. With progress towards expanded services, we’re gearing up to bring even more comprehensive support to our clients. We’ll continue to expand our capabilities, experiment with new formats and ideas, and explore the question “what’s next?”.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Journey
To our clients, employees, partners, and friends—we want to say thank you. Thank you for trusting us, for challenging us to think bigger, and for celebrating our successes with us. We are incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and we’re even more excited about the opportunities ahead. Thank you for being a part of the Club.
Here’s to the next five years—and beyond!
With Gratitude,
The Opportunity Club
📣 Join the Conversation!
We want to hear from you! What’s been your favorite moment with The Opportunity Club so far? Leave us a comment or connect with us on social media—we’d love to hear how we’ve helped unlock potential!
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