October 19, 2013

Opportunity Village - Scarves, ties, dignity.


Thirty dollars can probably buy you a pair of Nine West pumps at an outlet store or a sundress at Forever 21. Maybe a pair of nice jeans on clearance or eight Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks. Thanks to Opportunity Village, thirty dollars can also buy you a one of kind, hand-dyed scarf that would brighten any LBT (little black top), give you a great story to tell, and a very cool connection to the King himself, Mr. Elvis Presley (but more on that later).


As beautiful and fashionable as it is, the best spec of this item is the fact that it provides a dignified living to a person with an intellectual disability. Opportunity village is an organization located in Southern Nevada dedicated to providing training, employment, advocacy and a sense of community to people with severe intellectual disabilities. They have created a way for them to learn how to make products (like the beautiful scarf shown here), sell them, develop careers, seek independence, make friends and contribute to their families and communities. As an "almost entirely self-funded" non-for-profit organization, they offer different services and products beyond the fashion shown here. They make promotional buttons, offer a variety of assembling and cleaning services, they assemble and sell coffee, condiment and cutlery individual packages, you name it. But most importantly, Opportunity Village manufactures, assembles and delivers happiness and a sense of achievement. 

But where does Elvis come in?!?!
Opportunity Village was the official manufacturer of Elvis' famous scarves. You know, the ones he used to kiss and throw to screaming fans? Yeah, those ones! They also made buttons for his concerts.

The best part of all of this is that this is not charity.  People and businesses get quality in exchange for their money. Jobs are well done and the products are beautiful and fashionable.

These are my favorite type of social endeavors; they provide the tools for people to achieve what they need or want in a sustainable, dignified way. Creating opportunities to live fulfilling lives really is the best way to build progress. Sometimes, business models need to be tweaked and creative strategies need to be created. And that is what this blog is about.

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