About OSI
Mission Statement
OSI will assist individuals with disabilities to lead more productive and meaningful lives by maximizing their abilities to achieve their highest potential through vocational programs and services, which are commensurate with the particular needs of individuals, including a vocational rehabilitation training facility/daily work activities center.
History
OSI was conceived in 1956 when Mrs. W. R. Brown, President of the Franklin County Chapter of the Association for Retarded Citizens, appointed a committee to establish a sheltered workshop in Franklin County. The committee was formed in May 1956 that included among its members representatives from the Chambersburg Civitan Club, Franklin Fulton Association for retarded Citizens, and the Franklin Adams Easter Seal Society. A Board of Directors was selected with Mr. Stanley L. Whitehill serving as President. The name Occupational Services, Inc. was selected and the organization was chartered under Pennsylvania law as a non-profit corporation to operate as a workshop for the physically handicapped and mentally retarded. In May of 1957, Mr. Richard Nye was chosen to serve as the first Executive Director.
On September
19, 1957, OSI began activities in a small room of an unused school building
on Fourth Street in Chambersburg, PA. Total assets of $5,000 donated
by the local ARC provided the financial support to begin operations.
Five individuals started their program on opening day. Under the direction
of two staff persons, these individuals performed jobs such as packaging
screws for Hess Manufacturing and septic tank conditioners for Max West.
.
The present location at 17 Redwood Street in Chambersburg was a 3400
square foot building on 1.9 acres donated to OSI by the U.S. Department
of Health, Education and Welfare in January 1958. The only stipulation
was that OSI was to train at least four people every year. Additions
to the building were made in 1962, 1971, and 1981 bringing the facility
to its current size of 37,000 square feet. These additions were primarily
funded through State and Federal grants, and funds received through
the Edwin B. Huber Estate.
Today, Occupational Services serves about two hundred individuals a
year, including 130 workers daily in the work activities program. Subcontract
work is performed for a broad range of companies including Beck Manufacturing,
T B Woods, Carlisle SynTech, On Campus Marketing, and Quality Wholesale.
OSI also manufactures hard wood stakes and hubs for surveyors, excavators,
contractors, and utilities.
Our programs have also expanded to meet the diverse and changing needs of individuals with disabilities. Through these programs, we have seen many individuals meet and exceed their personal and vocational goals and become productive and valued citizens in our community. Occupational Services was conceived for this purpose and will continue to develop innovative and effective programs to meet these objectives.
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