Occupational Development Center in Lancaster, PA

Located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the Occupational Development Center is a non-profit organization that serves to help the developmentally disabled population of the Lancaster area find employment and gain valuable job skills. The organization has been in operation since 1948 and was founded by a mother in Lancaster whose child was developmentally disabled. She did not want to institutionalize her son and wanted to be able to find him a way to lead a successful life in which he could maintain a job and maintain a certain level of independence.

The Occupational Development Center’s mission statement is “to provide high quality and cost effective not-for-profit vocational training and employment opportunities for Lancaster County for adults with developmental disabilities.” In order to work toward this mission, they work in cooperation with local businesses. The program serves to train individuals with the job skills and social skills necessary to perform basic job functions, and to help raise the self-esteem and confidence of these individuals to help them be successful.

Some of the programs at the Occupational Development Center include working at the Work Activities Center or on the Mobile Work Crew. Individuals enrolled in the program work on assembly, packaging, and mailing of goods. The funding for the program comes from Lancaster County, and the center receives licensing from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. Some of the funding comes from donations. Those wishing to volunteer at the Occupational Development Center can contact the main office in Lancaster, or can send a donation.