Opportunity Works Inc., a not-for-profit organization assisting adults with disabilities and their families, is opening its new building next week.
The public is invited to an open house and ribbon cutting Friday, June 26, at 10 a.m., on Kenoza Street, directly behind and abutting Northern Essex Community College. There is also a celebration party at 5 p.m.
“Our Haverhill site was at capacity, serving many people with involved needs, which required more space. “The necessity to support individuals with disabilities across the spectrum of needs grows each year. In addition, the facility allows us to serve Haverhill residents in their own community, which benefits both Haverhill and the individual. Many of the individuals we support work and volunteer in the community,” said Jane Harris-Fale, a lifelong Haverhill resident and executive director of the agency
The building includes 12 specialized classrooms, offering state-of-the art technology and a variety of integrated, multi-disciplinary supports and services, according to the organization.
The $6.7 million building was specially designed by TMS Architects, Portsmouth, N.H. and the general contractor is BWK Construction, Middleton.
A $2 million dollar capital campaign to complete project funding has been underway since May, 2013, and is ongoing. In addition to major gifts from Institution for Savings and the Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank, both of Newburyport, generous contributions have been received from Pentucket Bank, Covanta Energy, Haverhill Bank, the George C. Wadleigh Foundation, the Mary Alice Arakelian Foundation, Trinity EMS Inc., Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, UNICO of Merrimack Valley, Rotary Club of Newburyport, G.E. Employees Good Neighbor Fund, Merrimac Tool Company, Inc., Chase & Lunt Insurance, the Massachusetts Bankers Association, Newburyport Civic League and many other service clubs, businesses, individuals, and foundations.
Opportunity Works maintained a satellite facility in Haverhill for more than 15 years.
To attend the 5 p.m. celebration party, call Ann Savage at (978) 374-5281, ext. 100 or e-mail at [email protected].