Northwest Indiana grocery store chain, Strack & Van Til, earned recognition at the state level for their dedication to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. INARF (Indiana Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Inc.) is the principal membership organization in Indiana representing providers of services to individuals with disabilities, including local provider, Opportunity Enterprises. At their annual conference held October 6th, INARF recognized Strack & Van Til with the 2021 Partnership Award.
The Partnership Award is presented to an individual or business making significant contributions to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and the organizations serving them. These contributions may include donations and fundraising efforts, volunteerism, public education and public relations, and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Strack & Van Til was nominated for this honor by Opportunity Enterprises.
Strack & Van Til’s seasoned partnership with Opportunity Enterprises is one that dates back over 20 years. During this time, Strack & Van Til has employed countless clients of Opportunity Enterprises to work at their stores, giving those with all abilities the opportunity to learn, grow, and take pride in their work and themselves. Currently, 27 men and women from Opportunity Enterprises’ JobSource Community Employment program work at Strack & Van Til grocery stores across the region. Strack & Van Til has also supported the mission of Opportunity Enterprises through generous donations and round-up campaigns.
“Having a partner like Strack & Van Til is incredibly meaningful to the organization [Opportunity Enterprises] certainly, but also to the many clients whom we serve in the capacity of helping them find jobs. More than that, Strack’s has displayed their support of our organization in other ways, such as the Round-Up Campaign, which has raised a tremendous amount of money,” states Opportunity Enterprises CEO, Neil Samahon.
Strack & Van Til’s Partnership Award comes during a particularly fitting time of the year, as October is nationally recognized as Disability Employment Awareness Month. It is through organizations like Strack & Van Til that our community, and our world, is becoming a more inclusive place for individuals with disabilities.
To learn how your organization can provide employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, contact Kathleen Parks at kathleen.parks@oppent.org. For more information regarding Opportunity Enterprises and its services for those with disabilities, contact Kacie Ensign by calling (219) 464-9621 or by emailing kacie.ensign@oppent.org. You can also learn more by visiting www.oppent.org.
About Opportunity Enterprises, Inc.
For more than 50 years, Opportunity Enterprises has worked to maximize the self-sufficiency and enrich the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. OE is in the business of amazing people serving nearly 1,000 people annually with disabilities in Northwest Indiana with over 400 staff and hundreds of volunteers.
