Opportunity Partners

Wednesday, April 9, 2008
The group arrived at Opportunity Partners in Minnetonka to learn more about vocational and residential services for people with disabilities. Opportunity Partners Job Developer Deborah Lawrence, who traveled to Zambia 10 years ago to help teach the deaf, connected with the group about her experience in Zambia and offered suggestions for grassroots job training. They also heard from guest Ruth Murphy, Executive Director of the Community Design Center for Minnesota, who shared her success in implementing gardening projects with immigrants in Minnesota. The group also toured Opportunity Partners’ production facility to see examples of work being done here, and heard presentations on residential services and programs for youth. After a pizza lunch, the group visited two other Opportunity Partners locations: a work site and a group home, both in Bloomington. It was a full day of learning and exchanging ideas!

Zambian Team Attends University Class

As a component of the leadership training program the Zambian Team members had the opportunity to attend one of the course sessions of the certificate in disability policy and practice offered by the Institute on Community Integration and the University of Minnesota. The topic for the class session that evening was on transition and the State Transition specialist, Jayne Spain was a guest lecturer. Prior to class the team attended a discussion forum for Graduate students at the Institute on Community Integration. This was an opportunity for them to see how post-secondary educational programs operate and what types of programs are available to students and the general public related to disability policy and practice.

Zambia Training Program Goes to the Capitol

Thanks to Arc Greater Twin Cities and their excellent policy advocates, the Zambians got to participate in the policy advocacy efforts first hand. They went to the State Capitol and learned how various organizations in Minnesota work together to address public policy for individuals with disabilities. They also got to meet elected and appointed officials and see the legislative process in action.

It Snowed In Minnesota - Just For the Zambian Team

April in Minnesota is good for at least one or two final snows. While most Minnesotans were highly discouraged and down right grumpy about the eight inches we got early in the week, there were at least nine people in the state that enjoyed it. For many of the Zambian team members it was the first time that they had ever even seen snow, let alone danced and played in it. If it has to snow in April in Minnesota then the training team was surely glad that it snowed for the Zambians!

Zambian Team Gets Artistic

One important component of the training program the Zambian team is experiencing is to relate concepts and theories to real lives and real services. One aspect of the training program has been on inclusion and the importance of relationships and recreation in people's lives.

The Zambian team had many experiences during their first week of training to see how people with disabilities who are artists have opportunities to express and use their talents for fun, enjoyment and for paid work. Early in the week the team went to Dreamland Arts and learned about their inclusionary theater opportunities for children of all abilities.

One evening the group got to go to St. Stephens Parish and "do art" with a number of adults with disabilities. This is a program sponsored by St. Stephens and is open to people of all abilities. The Zambian team members enjoyed the opportunity to interact and to create art with the people they met there.

Another artistic experience for the Zambian team was to visit Interact theater and meet the artists during their training and work experiences. On Saturday they also got to attend an Interact theater production entitled, "Broken Brain Summit." After the production the Zambian team members had an opportunity to talk with the cast members about their performance and their lives as actors with disabilities.

Zambian Team Members Prepare for Minnesota Weather

After a day of recovering from jet lag, the Zambian team prepared for Minnesota's weather by doing a little shopping at Arc's Value Village. Many bought warm coats and winter boots. The Arc Greater Twin Cities donated gift certificates to each team member.

During the welcome on Friday night at Mary and Mike's River Dance Ranch, Sister Joyce mentioned that she had never been horseback riding. So, on Sunday afternoon the entire Zambian team got the opportunity to horseback ride. This is a photo of Sister Joyce on her horse. Everyone had a good time and enjoyed their new experience.

After horseback riding it was time to get some sleep and prepare for their two week intensive leadership training program on disability policy and practice. On Monday everyone would meet their host families and begin their training.