Opportunities

In 50 years of service, Opportunities, Inc. has made a world of difference to more than 30,000 individuals as well as their families who live in Texarkana and the surrounding area of Bowie County in Texas and both Miller and Little River Counties in Arkansas.

Opportunities began when a mother could not find services other than institutional care for her child who had developmental disabilities. Finding other families in the same dilemma, she joined with them and interested local residents to create a special kindergarten program. In 1966, the group received pivotal support from the local First Presbyterian Church when it donated the use of a building. In 1969, Opportunities moved to a larger space donated by St. Edward Catholic Church of Texarkana.

The board of directors soon realized the school needed a permanent home. Initially, the campus consisted of four one-story buildings and an open-air pavilion. It opened in 1975 with 65 children. The staff began serving infants and two years later, they would add a fifth building for adults with developmental disabilities. In the 1980s, Opportunities initiated a children’s daycare program for the public and residential services for the non-disabled elderly. They developed residential services and a work training program for developmentally disabled adults.

Opportunities’ 1998-2001 capital campaign made a striking impact for expanding and renovating the campus. The Board of Directors planned to raise $ million but in August 2000, Opportunities was pleased to be selected as an Early Head Start (EHS) center by the Department of Health and Human Services. With this new program, the board needed to add an EHS facility to the campaign. The donors, including the Sisters of Charity, responded to the challenge. To date, people have given more than $ million for the construction and renovation project. Ten adjoining acres were also donated and the project is now completed. It has increased the interior spaces on campus from approximately 16,000 to 65,000 sq. ft. Other improvements include parking, roads, and covered walkways.

One of the new buildings, a Senior Center, houses the Senior Day Program. It opened in January 2003 for older adults who live independently but need nurse care, medical assistance, and stimulating daytime activities.