Opportunity Knocks

About Us

Opportunity Knocks (OK) is an Illinois 501c.3 non-profit organization that serves young people with developmental disabilities in the Oak Park, Forest Park and River Forest communities through social, recreational and life skills programming. OK was founded in 2009 to fill a critical service gap for individuals with I/DD as they transition into adulthood. This need was particularly acute for adults over age 22 as they lose support and services provided by and funded through the public-school system on their 22nd birthday. For these individuals, most locally-based programming options dry up, resulting in limited opportunity for educational advancement, social interaction, extracurricular activities, job training and independent opportunities. OK sought to change the local landscape for these individuals by providing programs within the community that they live in and have important family and social connections. Equally important to the mission was that all OK program development would be person-centered where participants would be equal architects in guiding the direction of content.