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Mission
It is the mission of Opportunity Sheltered Industries, Inc. to provide dignified and meaningful employment to Texas County Residents eighteen years of age and older who have a condition prohibiting them from competitive employment.
History
Sheltered Workshops in Missouri
Until the early 1950’s, there were virtually no vocational opportunities in Missouri for individuals with disabilities who could not maintain competitive employment. These individuals, who possessed a great number of skills and qualities, were often kept in state institutions or simply stayed at home. These men and women assisted with chores around home and were occasionally employed, but for the most part, thousands of people missed out on the opportunity to the experience self-worth, socialization, and income related to competitive employment. In addition, area businesses missed out on the contribution of some very competent employees who could have been productive, contributing members of the community.
In 1965, the 73rd General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 52 which established the Extended Employment Sheltered Workshop Program, creating vocational opportunities for people with disabilities. The law directed the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Section of Sheltered Workshops to assist communities that demonstrated an interest in providing extended employment to citizens with disabilities. Through this program, less productive workers who were generally kept out of the workforce because of what they couldn’t do were now paid for the work they could do.
Opportunity Sheltered Industries
In April, 1986, Texas County voters approved a tax that would allocate funds to support services for developmentally disabled adults.
Opportunity Sheltered Industries, Inc. opened in September, 1987 with 17 production employees and 4 staff. When it opened, the Workshop was located at Hwy 63 and Hwy B in Houston, in a building previously occupied by a grocery store. The first jobs performed by Workshop employees included folding brochures and sorting screws
In 2002, a new facility was built in Houston’s industrial park that doubled the space of the previous location. Space was added to accommodate additional production employees as well as an industrial laundry area and additional warehouse space. In 2015, upon the closing of longtime Houston business Neal’s Sporting Goods, Rhonda Neal joined the OSI team and brought screen printing and vinyl signs services to the Workshop.