With Opportunity Enterprises’ reputation for enhancing the lives of its clients and equipping them for work through job training, it did not take Oak Partners long to notice the organization. When talks of getting further plugged into the community arose, Oak Partners Director of Client Experience Crystal DeHaven said Opportunity Enterprises stood out.
“Back in 2010 when I started at Oak Partners, they were brainstorming ways that we could be involved with more non-profits, and Opportunity Enterprises was one that came up,” DeHaven said. “We scheduled a tour, and our team went up to Valparaiso and toured the facilities. There was no question from that moment that we wanted to be involved with this organization and what they do. Our relationship has developed over the years.”
Oak Partners Team Leader and Wealth Manager Marc Ruiz was particularly drawn to Opportunity Enterprises as he has a son with down syndrome, and he believes the organization is a great fit for Oak Partners and undoubtedly a great way to spend effort and money. With his appreciation for the work that Opportunity Enterprises does, he decided to take his personal relationship with the organization a step further.
Since 2013, Ruiz has been part of the board for Opportunity Enterprises, enabling him to raise funds and be an advocate for the organization. Ruiz has been the board chair for over two years, making him the longest-serving board chair in the organization’s history.
Ruiz is thankful for the work ethic of the people at Opportunity Enterprises and said the staff supports its clients out of passion. Seeking the best opportunities and creating the best resources for clients has led Opportunity Enterprises staff to develop new properties, which excites Ruiz on behalf of what that will do to both serve current clients and attract new clients.
“Opportunity Enterprises has two properties,” Ruiz said. “Our main property is in Valpo and our second property, which is also kind of a main property, is at Lake Eliza. We are really working hard right now to develop the respite home there, which will be a regional-level class home.”
“It is going to be very special for Northwest Indiana to have this kind of facility in the community,” Ruiz continued. “From there, we have some incredible ideas on how we can use our 158 acres of field and woods and lakes to build some really great outdoor experiences for individuals with disabilities. We’re hoping to bring people into Northwest Indiana from around the whole Region and other states to experience what we’re going to do out at our lakeside property.”
Through letting the public know about developments like the new respite home, Ruiz hopes more people will support and get involved with Opportunity Enterprises.
Another offering the organization has is data recycling. DeHaven said that they have a shred day every April where they decommission and dispose of technology like TVs, microwaves, computers, cell phones, and more.
Perhaps the best aspect of the data recycling is that clients are able to learn new skills to help with this process.
“Our clients, our individuals with disabilities, are working in that business model,” Ruiz said. “They’re learning computer skills and they’re learning inventory skills. It’s a big part of our job training program that we’re training people to work in the business model that will be a great thing for the community as well as for Opportunity Enterprises.”
Ruiz is happy that the Opportunity Enterprises board has extended his term by a year. With the new respite house breaking ground in April 2022, Ruiz looks forward to the two years of work he has ahead of him. Even when his term on the board is up, Ruiz assured that Oak Partners will still maintain its relationship with Opportunity Enterprises.
“We’re always going to be partners with Opportunity Enterprises in some way or another, whether I’m on the board or not,” Ruiz said. “It’s a very special organization. We are committed to making sure they have a role in our business.”
To learn more about Oak Partners and the relationships it has developed in the community, visit www.oakpartners.com.
Disclaimer: Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC.
