Central Oregon Resources for Independent Living (CORIL) publicly announced their name change to Abilitree at their annual Celebrating Community Partnerships Luncheon held Monday, September 26 at St. Charles, Bend. Over 230 business and community leaders were on hand to hear this exciting news. Julie Miller from Bank of the Cascades, title sponsor for the third year in a row stated, “Although we want to celebrate and honor this fine organization’s deep roots in the community we want to emphasize and invite your participation in Abilitree’s continued growth and development.”
David Rosell from Rosell Wealth Management introduced the program by sharing the depth and breadth of services provided by Abilitree to assist people with disabilities in our community to grow their independence, work productivity and full inclusion in all the wonderful opportunities here in Central Oregon. Abilitree is the only such organization in our state to provide such comprehensive services to all people with disabilities from developmental to physical in nature and from sudden onset to increases in level of severity.
Services include vocational, recreational and educational activities for adults with developmental disabilities who perform quality work in the community for such local companies such as the Oxford Hotel, Window Alert, Deschutes Brewery, Rough Wear, Round Butte Seed Co., Sara Bella, Silipint, Wagner Creed, The Old Mill, Better Ways Products and many others. It was reported at the luncheon by Dave Slavensky from Structus Technologies that Abilitree recently engaged Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership to create even greater value-added outsourcing services for local companies to help them grow their productivity while controlling and keeping
costs down.
Abilitree also provides information and referral services, advocacy support, peer counseling, skills training, transition services for youth and benefits coordination to hundreds of adults each year experiencing disabilities, recovery from traumatic brain injuries, stroke or any such challenge where individuals are seeking assistance to return to the work force and create living environments that maintain their independence and full participation intheir community.
Todd Therrell, a recent client gave a heartwarming testimonial of how Abilitree literally “saved my life and prevented me from being homeless and on the street.” Todd suffers from recurring chronic pain and limitations from severe neck and back injuries stemming from being hit by a drunk driver in the Portland area. Todd described experiencing nine neurosurgeries, the last of which was successful with Dr. Kathy Moore here in Bend due to Abilitree’s referral and support network.
“I have spent years trying to access the proper support and assistance and within a very short period of being referred to Abilitree by United Way, I was able to receive the immediate and ongoing support I needed.” Abilitree is continuing to assist Todd in getting him reengaged in work and volunteer opportunities.
Cited Executive Director Jim Lee, “If I had to focus on one of the most important reasons for a name change for our organization as this time, it would be that we all need to reach out and do a better job of both respecting and honoring the people we serve. We provide more than just resources; through our excellent staff and volunteers, we are involved in changing the lives of the people we serve and in the process we are strengthened as well. People with disabilities are some of the best teachers we know about how to live our lives.”
Lee further described the marriage of the words Ability and Tree, Abilitree, along with the tagline, growing abilities for independence, as more clearly communicating what the organization does and their energy and commitment to their mission.
“The new brand mark coupled with the vertical letters below it, serving as the base of the tree, reinforces our three “roots” of stainability: volunteerism, partnership and financial investment in our mission of growing independence, productivity and inclusion for all we serve. The three roots also symbolize the strong resilience that is embedded in each person served when they are given the right opportunities and support. The courage of the people we serve absolutely amazes us at every turn. They are our heroes as they continually reach for new heights. We honor them with this new name and brand mark.”
Tammy Baney, Deschutes County Commissioner, stated, “One of the things that I think is unique about Abilitree is that they are really like the unsung heroes of our community,” as part of testimonials shown on a video at the luncheon produced by Pinnacle Media, “What’s In a Name.”
Baney went on to state, “I think that Abilitree will be able to run with this new name change and do an even better job of doing what they do best which is helping people with disabilities be successful.”
The luncheon culminated with each of the attendees receiving their own individual “Abilitree” of an Aspen sapling in a Silipint glass passed out by Abiltree participants and volunteers with their new logo clearly emblazoned on the side.
For more information about Abilitree and their services please contact Jim Lee, Executive Director at jiml@abilitree.org.
