Nonprofit Takes on $300K Renovation of Opportunity Networks

Submitted by Building on Hope:

Building on Hope, a community initiative of volunteers who collaborate with builders, architects, designers, and suppliers to provide physical improvements to facilities associated with non-profit service groups is taking on its biggest project yet as it announced a $300,000 renovation of Opportunity Networks’ facility in Amherst, NH.

Opportunity Networks is a non-profit organization serving Souhegan Valley and Greater Nashua young adults and adults who live with acquired and developmental disabilities. Building on Hope is seeking financial support from corporations and community members to complete the project over one week in May. For more information visit: www.buildingonhope.org.

Every two years, Building on Hope takes on a new challenge – organizing volunteers, collecting resources and focusing attention on a specific “extreme make over” to be completed over the course of a week with volunteer labor and donated goods. In the past four years, Building on Hope has successfully completed over $500,000 in community-funded renovations for Easter Seals New Hampshire and Girls Inc.

In 2010, Building on Hope led the remodeling, landscaping, redesign and refurnishing of the Krol House, an all-boys intensive residential treatment facility for Easter Seals New Hampshire. In 2012, the volunteer group successfully organized volunteers, raised in-kind and cash donations, and completely renovated the Girls Inc. building in Manchester. Building on Hope is seeking financial support from businesses and the public for the renovation of Opportunity Networks.

Opportunity Networks provides vocational opportunities and activities that promote life enhancing skills for adults with developmental and acquired disabilities in the Greater Nashua and Souhegan Valley communities. The organization does this by providing meaningful work in a safe community-based environment, providing clients with the support to grow and live fulfilling lives.

The 6,000 square feet of space at 11 Caldwell Drive in Amherst has been occupied by Opportunity Networks for more than 30 years with little more than basic updating and maintenance. The location has grown tired and obsolete - truly not reflective of the services being rendered by this essential organization.

Opportunity Networks financed the first phase of construction, increasing the building’s usable space by 50%. Work included demolition of the interior, installation of new walls, a new roof, sprinkler system, rough electrical work and a new HVAC system.

With the support of Building on Hope, local businesses, donors, and volunteers will handle the finishing touches, transforming it into a state-of-the-art facility that will improve the lives of people with all disabilities.

There are a total of 12 rooms that will be renovated. Rooms vary by purpose, from promoting healthy and independent living skills, employment and learning, to pursuit of interests, and general needs. Volunteers will have the chance to aid the creation of a movement room, a tech theater, creative center, administrative offices, function and conference rooms, kitchen, cafeteria, and more.

Renovation will allow for expanded hours to further support families, provide after school programming/high school transition services, multisensory learning, and communication technologies.

“Building on Hope exists because of the generosity of businesses and community members who have committed their time, talents and resources in an effort to make real change in the lives of people seeking services from Easter Seals and Girls Inc,” explains Karen Van Der Beken, co-chair of Building on Hope.  “Opportunity Networks is by far our largest renovation project to date and the facility is in need of substantial physical and aesthetic improvements. Fortunately there are several ways for businesses and the public to get involved, whether by donating materials, volunteer labor, food services, financial support, or sponsoring rooms in the renovated facility.”

Opportunity Networks thrives by enriching communities through connecting local employers and individuals with the opportunities to prosper. Since 1979, the organization has been recognized as one of the industry leaders in the Greater Nashua area for providing highly trained staff capable of providing services necessary to assure the best outcome for the business and the employee. Opportunity Networks sets up its clients to work with local businesses at competitive wages and creates a reliable relationship between the two, providing behind the scenes and up front support to assure job expectancies are met.

“We are committed to creating a safe, rewarding environment in order to train people with developmental challenges so they can participate in the workforce and live fulfilling lives,” said Rocky Morelli, executive director of Opportunity Networks. “Thanks to Building on Hope we will have a facility that adequately reflects the passion and capabilities of our clients, the fantastic work that’s done here and will enable prospective employers to realize the benefit of working with our clients. We view this project as not only a renovation of our facility, but in essence a renovation of our service model as we utilize new technology and state-of-the-art-resources to assist each individual to reach to their maximum potential.”

Building on Hope and Opportunity Networks have high hopes for the renovation process. In order to do this, the organizations are encouraging tax-deductible contributions, volunteer commitments and donation of materials to complete the project.

There are several ways to support this effort according to Building on Hope co-chair Jonathan Halle. “We have assembled a team of top designers and assigned them to each of the rooms in the facility. Businesses can sponsor a room and be as involved as their comfort level allows. Entire companies can get engaged by working directly with the designers to develop and execute the vision for that space, or if preferred, a business can underwrite costs for materials and our team of volunteers can implement the designs. Most importantly, this is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in a transformation that will provide enrichment to the community for many years to come.”

Volunteers will mobilize and begin work in early May and a reveal and ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for May 18th.

For more information and to make a donation visit: www.buildingonhope.org.