Tawnia Gates Cotton

Living Opportunities’ vision is a community that embraces individuality and competently supports and empowers people. Our mission is to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to live in the same neighborhoods, work for the same employers, and share the same experiences to which we all aspire. Our outstanding team makes it possible to look toward the future with confidence that we will constantly adapt and evolve to meet the needs of individuals living with disabilities, their families, and our greater community for generations to come. We have been supporting individuals who experience I/DD and their families in Jackson County for over 40 years. In 1974, we were provided a unique opportunity to transform lives by moving residents out of Fairview, the state institution. We knew that with the proper support and resources, many individuals living with disabilities could thrive in their own apartments or homes within our community. Today they are doing just that, with the support of Living Opportunities. At Living Opps we all aspire to the same goal: that individuals live with dignity, and experience meaningful work and rewarding careers. To do this we focus on holistic, inclusive community building that at its heart is about connecting people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. For the individuals we support, we emphasize choice above all, helping them discover their own passions and build meaningful relationships. As one of the largest service providers to people with I/DD in Southern Oregon, we meet basic needs and provide services to hundreds of individuals of all ages. Specifically, Living Opps provides services through a variety of avenues: 24-hour supported residential care, semi-independent supported living, individualized supported employment, fine art & music workshops, in-home behavior consulting, assistive technology training, and organizational mentoring.