Public officials, members of the community and staff members from both the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and the Opportunity Center of Owensboro, located at 1101 East Byers Avenue, joined together on Wednesday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the organization’s expansion into occupational therapy services.
Though services officially began softly last summer, the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially commemorated the program’s launch.
The Opportunity Center of Owensboro is a local nonprofit organization with a mission “to provide training, advocacy and support to people with disabilities that empower them to achieve their life goals.”
“Think about all the things that you have to do to be here (the ribbon-cutting) today. Probably things that you don’t even think about. You woke up. You got dressed. You took a shower. Maybe you made your coffee. Maybe you went through a drive-through to get coffee. All of those things that you just do as a part of your day…You’re going to leave here, go back to your jobs, go back to your families, cook dinner, play a game with your kids or grandkids. All of those things are part of your everyday life. But then think about it. What if you couldn’t do those things anymore?” said Crystal Tallent, the director of therapy services with the Opportunity Center. “That’s why occupational therapy exists. It’s just everyday life and helping people be able to do their everyday life.”
The addition of occupational therapy services is just another way that the Opportunity Center supports its vision “to be the premier provider of services to people with disabilities, which will enhance their lives in our community.”
“We’re mostly here to celebrate Crystal, but also to just (celebrate) all of the amazing things that are happening at the Opportunity Center,” said Ashlee Berry, community engagement director with the organization. “We’ve been here for 70 years this year, so it’s a big year for us. So, we’re very, very excited to not only celebrate 70 years, but also Crystal and the expansion of our occupational therapy services.”
Berry said that Tallent has been an occupational therapist for over 17 years, previously working with the special-needs population at the Wendell Foster Center.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have her in our center and giving her talents to this organization, as well as the public, too,” Berry said. “Not only does she provide occupational therapy services to all ages, along with utilizing assisted technology, she can help the individuals in our building, but also individuals who are out in the public.”
The organization has a few more spots available for occupational therapy services, Berry said.
“We’re almost to a point where we’re going to have a waitlist,” she said.
By Michele Lohman Messenger-Inquirer