Work Unlimited is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to provide vocational
training and residential services to individuals with developmental disabilities.
It primarily operates within Benton, Linn, Polk, and Marion counties.
Work Unlimited grew as a result of a number of diverse efforts, all emerging from
projects and programs developed by Teaching Research, a separate division at Western
Oregon State College whose mission is educational and rehabilitative research. The
first project to be named Work Unlimited was the adult vocational entity in Corvallis
whose mission was to provide supported employment services to adults with developmental
disabilities in Benton County. A similar vocational entity was established in Marion
County. Gradually, the Corvallis entity provided vocational services to Linn County.
During this period, Teaching Research was conducting a number of residential programs
for individuals with special needs over and above their developmental disabilities.
Although Teaching Research staff managed the homes, the state's personnel policies
prevented the remainder of the residential staff from being employed by Teaching
Research. Therefore, a non-profit organization was sought to provide the personnel
for the residential facilities. The ARC of Oregon was the first such entity. Later
Work Unlimited in Corvallis took on the function. The decision was made in 1994 that
Work Unlimited would also assume accounting functions for Teaching Research's programs.
At the same time it was planned that all the Teaching Research programs would transfer
to Work Unlimited in July 1995.
In May 1997 Oregon Community Support (OCS), an organization that was established
jointly by the University of Oregon and Teaching Research, decided to stop providing
services. The population for whom they provided services was characterized as being
developmentally disabled and having severe behavioral problems. OCS had homes in
three communities, Eugene, Salem, and Corvallis. Since Work Unlimited was already
providing vocational services for individuals in Corvallis and was well acquainted
with the population, Work Unlimited assumed responsibility for the homes in Corvallis.
As of 2007, the programs conducted by Work Unlimited for individuals with
developmental disabilities are as follows:
- Supported employment for adults, Benton, Linn, and Marion counties.
- Two small group homes for adolescents, Monmouth.
- Two five bed group homes for adolescents, Salem.
- Two small group homes for adults, Salem.
- Two small intensive group homes for adults, Corvallis.
