The crack of the bat, home openers, peanuts and cracker jacks mean a lot of different things for many different people. But this year’s Minnesota Twins home-opening series against the Texas Rangers (April 13-15) has a greater significance for the clients of Minnetonka’s Opportunity Partners: independence, pride, and choice.
The non-profit group that serves adults with disabilities was created in 1953 by concerned parents who knew there was a need to find work for their disabled children. Finding work over the past week with the Minnesota Twins organization hasn’t been a problem. A group from Opportunity Partners rolled 60,000 posters that will be given away at the home-opening series.
Not only do the Twins organization and the fans benefit from such as service, but the workers’ hard-earned compensation lets them live a more independent lifestyle. George Klauser, president & CEO of Opportunity Partners and also a parent and grandparent of individuals with disabilities, knows just how important such a responsibility can be for those working through Opportunity Partners.
“Opportunities like this raise them up 10-feet into the air,” Klauser says. “It’s such a positive experience, and they feel like they’re giving back to the community. That’s one of our goals, to help people with disabilities get involved in the community.”
Opportunity Partners’ mission includes:
- Earning a paycheck. To provide their clients with choices and independence.
- Teaching responsibility and work ethic. To educate their clients on quality and teach them how to follow through on a job.
- Increasing self-esteem. To give their clients dignity and a sense of self-worth.
According to Greg Murray, senior vice president of Opportunity Partners, the organization serves as a stepping stone to teach clients the life skills they’ll need to enter a more independent lifestyle. The opportunities vary, and depending on which company they work with, they can either be short-or long-term projects. The group partners with some of the top companies in Minnesota.
“To work with a visible, recognizable name like the Twins, it creates a buzz around opening day and baseball in general for our clients,” Klauser says.
Twins fans will get a firsthand look at their hard work April 13-15. And don’t be surprised if Opportunity Partners clients jump on the opportunity to take home the product of their hard work on opening day.
“The quality of their work creates a lot of pride and distinction,” Klauser says. “I can guarantee that there will be some of them who are determined to go to opening day games to make sure they’ll get one of the posters that they personally rolled up.”
Contribute to the Cause
Opportunity Partners serves 1,700 disabled people every year. To make a donation or to learn more about this non-profit organization, check out the group’s website.
