OUR PLATFORM OF ON-SITE PROGRAMS

OK PROGRAMS
FALL 1 & 2

SESSION THEME

BALANCE is essential for holistic well-being and helps create harmony in life. This session, Warriors will learn about Balance in aspects of life including physical health, mental well-being, social well-being, environmental health and more. Physically, Warriors will improve physical balance and coordination through activities such as adapted sports, yoga, and other movement-based programs designed to enhance motor skills and overall physical well-being.

We will touch on mental well-being by learning how to balance work, leisure, and self-care. We will be balancing emotions through self-awareness, emotional regulation and healthy coping strategies. With a well balanced schedule, this fall will bring equal amounts of fun and learning!

OK PROGRAMS

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

GENERAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

OK Programs is a dynamic, person-centered and community-based day program that engages the voice of all Warriors, thrives on interdependent connections, encourages exploration, centers on holistic wellness and fosters healthy relationships. Activity offerings are developed inside 8 areas of focus, and a blend of ongoing initiatives and new creations that evolve with Warrior, staff and family input collected during the Thematic Planning Process.

SESSION LENGTH & REGISTRATION PROCESS

Typical program sessions will last 8 weeks. OK will host open registration for each session, as the posted calendar states. Registration is on a request basis vs automatic enrollment due to considerations of staffing, space and safety.

HOURS of OPERATION

Mondays – no programs
Day Programming: Tuesday thru Friday, 9AM – 230PM
PM Programming: Tuesday thru Friday, 3PM – 6PM

LOCATION

River Forest Community Center (RFCC)
8020 Madison St., River Forest, IL 60305

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

The program is open to Warriors of all abilities.

Eligible participants must be older than 14.5 years of age.

PROGRAM COST STRUCTURE UPDATE

The program cost is based on $17/hour fee. Currently, OK Programs is only available on a private-pay fee for service. We expect to become a licensed community day service provider in 2024. At that time, we will be able accept state funding from program participants with PUNS funding.

Financial assistance is available for Warriors & Families that apply and qualify. It is our objective to overcome financial barriers so that this program and all OK programs are accessible. Please contact Mike Carmody at mike@opportunityknocksnow.org with inquiries and to learn more.

CURRENT SESSION SUMMARY

Join us for a dynamic week at OK Programs filled with balance-focused activities and exciting experiences! All morning and mid-day blocks are dedicated to balance activities.

Balance is essential for holistic well-being and helps create harmony in life. This session, Warriors will learn about Balance in aspects of life including physical health, mental well-being, social well-being, environmental health and more. Physically, Warriors will improve physical balance and coordination through activities such as adapted sports, yoga, and other movement-based programs designed to enhance motor skills and overall physical well-being.

We will touch on mental well-being by learning how to balance work, leisure, and self-care. We will be balancing emotions through self-awareness, emotional regulation and healthy coping strategies. Through social activities, Warriors will be able to foster healthy relationships while having fun with friends! We will learn about environmental well-being by balancing consumption, conservation and sustainable practices to support environmental well-being. With a well balanced schedule, this fall will bring equal amounts of fun and learning!

Important Registration Information

  • REQUEST TO REGISTER – Opportunity Knocks must apply staffing, safety and space considerations to all registration requests, thus the initial registration request can not be guaranteed. Registration for ALL program days is not guaranteed and will always be influenced by our registration’s “request to register” strategy. We take this approach so that we can secure adequate staff, ensure safety and high-quality program environments.
  • Dress comfortably and appropriately for summer weather & bring your WATER! Hats, sunglasses, closed-toed shoes, and water bottles are encouraged.  Also, be sure to bring your preferred sunscreen and insect repellent with you to programs since we plan on being outdoors as much as possible and weather permitting.
  • WARRIOR ABSENCES – OK program activities and staffing are based on the expectations of full attendance of all enrolled Warriors.  If a Warrior is absent the program team must still operate with full staffing. Please review the full details of Warrior absences and terms of service in our financial agreement at the end of the session registration form.

IMPORTANT DATES

REGISTRATION OPENS
Friday, July 19th at 3:00 PM

REGISTRATION CLOSES
FALL 1 | Friday, August 2nd at 5:00 PM
FALL 2 | Friday, September 20th at 5:00 PM

FINAL REGISTRATION PLAN TO BE COMMUNICATED NO LATER THAN
ASAP

FIRST DAY OF PROGRAMS
FALL 1 | Tuesday, August 20th
FALL 2 | Tuesday, October 22nd

HOLIDAY DAYS OFF
FALL 1 | Labor Day (9/2)
FALL 2 | Election Day (11/5)
Thanksgiving (11/28 – 11/29) Christmas (12/23 – 12/27)
New Years (12/30 – 1/1)
— No Programs These Dates —

EVENTS
FALL 1 | The OK Classic (9/28)
FALL 2 | Knocktoberfest (TBD)

Questions

Please Contact the OK Program Team

Michael Carmody
Executive Director
mike@opportunityknocksnow.org

Anna Kellar
Program Director
anna@opportunityknocksnow.org

Sam Kehoe
Program Coordinator
sam@opportunityknocksnow.org

Grace Sexton
Program Coordinator
grace.sexton@opportunityknocksnow.org

Or Click Below to Submit a Program Interest Inquiry. We will monitor those inquiries and respond directly to you via the contact info you provide.

On-Site Platform

AREAS OF FOCUS

OK Programs is a dynamic, person-centered and community-based day program that engages the voice of all Warriors, thrives on interdependent connections, encourages exploration, centers on holistic wellness and fosters healthy relationships. Activity offerings are developed inside of 8 areas of focus that manifest in a blend of ongoing initiatives and new creations that evolve with Warrior, staff and family input collected during the Thematic Planning Process. The content of these activities will evolve from session to session and follow a theme, which will be guided by a collaboration between OK Staff and OK Warriors.

Wellness

VOCATION

Life Skills

Leadership

RECREATION & LEISURE

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Self Exploration

Social Skills

OUR PHILOSOPHY

We believe in the strength, power and value in the voice of every Warrior. We value the importance of an interdependent connection between each Warrior and their community, along with the continuous importance of developing healthy relationships and social connections. We approach all of life’s experiences fearlessly, unhinged by abilities. We underscore everything with our belief in Wellness of mind, body and spirit.

OUR PURPOSE

Our program goals are summarized through the acronym VIEWS. Each component of the acronym contains a value and its accompanying goal. VIEWS = Voice, Interdependence, Experience, Wellness, & Social.

Voice

Discover and amplify the voice of each Warrior

Interdependence

Establish presence and connection between Warrior & community.

Experience

Explore the experiences of life without boundaries

Wellness

Commit to building total wellness in mind, body and spirit

Social

Foster growth and development of healthy relationships and social connections

OUR SPECIAL SAUCE

At Opportunity Knocks we have built our organization on the merits of our programming. We believe what makes us special is how we craft our programs and how we continuously evolve that craft with a collective approach that engages our amazing team, our amazing Warriors and our awesome community.

We have committed ourselves to attracting and developing a high-quality collection of humans to develop, support, and staff our programs. We have also committed ourselves to hosting high-quality experiences through our programming. The experience must be fully engaged and fully connected to our community. Here’s a summary of the pillars of our programs:

High Quality Programming

Our standard of program development relies on high-quality resources and creativity to create high-quality experiences.

High Character Staff

We have such amazing staff. Their skills, passion and dedication contribute mightily to our programs.

Staffing Ratio

Our commitment to full engagement requires many humans. Never below 4:1, 1:1, as needed.

Warrior Centered

Our program development approach engages the Warrior as a collaborator and equal architect of activity.

Warrior-Led

We’ve developed a unique programming initiative that empowers Warriors to develop and lead program activities.

Community Partnership

Rich partnerships in the community allow us to venture out and connect programs to new spaces and places.

Inclusive & Accessible

All abilities welcome, no matter the support required. All financial capabilities accommodated, no matter the aid required.

Technology

We believe high quality technology enhances individual and group experience in programs. We have great tech.

Volunteers

Constant volunteer/intern presence supplement staff and create human connections that enrich the program experience.

Quality numbers

We take pride in offering a quality experience. We direct our energy toward this effort through the programming and in the staging of strategic partnerships. Numbers don’t always tell the whole story, but they shed a bit of light on the experience and we are proud of the light that shows through with these results.

  • Warrior Satisfaction Rate – 100%
  • Parent/Guardian Satisfaction Rate – 100%
  • Community Partner Positive Experience Rate – 100%

Founded by Families & Community of Warriors

Core Programs Offered

Direct Service Hours Provided/Year

Staffing Ratio, or better

Do You Have A Question?
Are You INterested?

Let’s connect and have a conversation. If you are a Warrior, a guardian or supporter of a Warrior, please use this form to reach out to us and we will be in touch promptly with the right person from our team to carry the conversation forward.

DO WITH NOT FOR

MORE SPECIAL SAUCE

We are committed to a Warrior-driven approach. We believe in doing everything we do WITH NOT FOR the Warriors, Families and Community where we live. We take this to task in the way we build our program and make our home.

THEMATIC PLANNING PROCESS

This Process is our special sauce. TPP is a central concept that guides program development, ensuring Warrior-autonomy and alignment of approach to all of the program areas of focus, initiative and activity. It provides a cohesive framework for Warrior-driven decision-making, consistency, and progress measurement, allowing programs to stay grounded in a collective purpose.

COMMUNITY AT HOME

We are committed to our beliefs in interdependence and community. We live that daily as a leaseholder in the River Forest Community Center (RFCC). The RFCC is the building manager and a non-profit organization that focuses its mission on early childhood programming. Additional neighbors in the building include the OPRF High School’s Community Integrated Transition Program and the River Forest Township.