Creative Options & Employment (Upper Marlboro, MD)

General

• Mission:

Creative Options & Employment, Inc., (COE) is an organization with innovative programs designed specifically for all individuals with disabilities. Our overriding goal is to expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities across all industries while promoting community inclusion by utilizing technology as well as effective teaching and modeling strategies to ensure effective and meaningful outcomes.

• History:

Creative Options & Employment, LLC (COE) was founded in Washington, DC by Alana Powell and Benita Hunt. Understanding that the unemployment rate was undesirably high for individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities and continually growing, Powell and Hunt conducted research, attended community meetings and met with local businesses to establish partnerships that would help to alleviate employment barriers and increase job opportunities for individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities. With initial financial commitments stemming from personal funds, Powell and Hunt founded COE and have forged strong partnerships with local businesses, government agencies, school districts, and other community organizations. Since its inception, COE has successfully placed over 80% of individuals in our supported employment program in competitively paid positions throughout the community.

Utilizing strategies that are tried and proven, Powell and Hunt where asked by the the DC public school system in 2007 to expand COE's services to all persons with disabilities. In an effort to provide additional services such as an entrepreneurship academy, GED preparation, English as a Second Language (ESL), and an effective school to work transitional program, the two realized that additional funding was needed, so they founded Creative Options & Employment, Inc. -- a non-profit community-based organization. Creative Options & Employment, Inc. has been very successful in receiving funds and contributions from foundations, various boards, fundraising events, corporations, and Individuals. Overall, our organization has received great community support highlighted by a segment on WPGC 95.5, discussing the barriers of finding employment for adults with developmental disabilities as well as the work that we have done with transitioning youth in the District of Columbia. Additionally, last year COE spearheaded a campaign with other agencies entitled, ‘Think on This’ which is an initiative designed to educate the public on the benefits of employing persons with developmental disabilities.

• Year established:2003

Registration

• Organization type:Grantseeker
• Country of registration:United States
• Year established:2003
• Tax Determination Letter:Received Determination Letter
• IRS Section:501(c)(3)
• IRS Subsection:509(a)(1)

Web Listing

• Guidestar listed:Yes
• Charity Navigator listed:No
• Give.org listed:No
• Charity Watch listed:No