Chase Gregory’s eagerness to help others and gain new skills led to an opportunity at the Anoka Care Center, where he volunteers playing Crazy Eights each Tuesday afternoon with a group of the senior residents.

Gregory, 23, is legally blind (he can see shapes and distinguish between light and dark colors), but that doesn’t stop his card-playing. He uses large-sized cards that are easier for him, and his playing partners, to see.

Tricia Truwe, community relations coordinator at Anoka Care Center, said Gregory is a joy to have as a volunteer. “He is very polite, patient and understanding of our residents’ disabilities. He shows them much compassion.”

“These people are nice,” Gregory said about his volunteer activities. “They are loving, caring and awesome to play with. I have fun every time. It’s a blessing to be here.”

Gregory receives services through Opportunity Partners, a Twin Cities nonprofit organization providing employment, education and residential services to 1,500 people with disabilities each year. Although its main office is in Minnetonka, Opportunity Partners has sites throughout the Twin Cities, including Coon Rapids.

Opportunity Partners Employment Specialist Michele Anderson, who works with Gregory, said volunteering has increased his social skills tremendously.

“He feels more comfortable around strangers and in talking to people. He’s gotten more outgoing and gained more confidence in himself.”

Gregory has also volunteered at Meals on Wheels, Bundles of Love and Feed My Starving Children as part of classes at Opportunity Partners. Volunteering helps Chase feel valued, Michele said.

“Everyone needs to be needed. It’s feeling like you are an important part of your community – that’s what volunteering is all about,” she added.

Card-playing partner Delores Steinbrecher added: “He’s a very willing young man. He does all the dealing. I always tease him every time he comes and ask him if he’s married yet.”

In addition to his volunteer activities, Gregory works as a grocery bagger at Coburn’s in Ramsey.

He enjoys his job, his independence and the relationships he has built, and he is excited to work more hours in the future. Managers at Coburn’s describe Gregory as being very friendly to the customers. He always tells them, “Thank you for shopping at Coburn’s – have a nice day.”

About Opportunity Partners

Opportunity Partners – 55 years of services for people with disabilities

Opportunity Partners helps people with disabilities live, learn and work in the community. The 55-year-old nonprofit (established in 1953 as Opportunity Workshop) provides employment, residential and educational services across the Twin Cities to more than 1,500 individuals with developmental disabilities, brain injury, Autism Spectrum Disorder and other special needs.

Although its headquarters is in Minnetonka, Opportunity Partners has an office in Coon Rapids to serve individuals in the Anoka County area. Currently, the Coon Rapids office provides community employment and educational services to 53 individuals with disabilities through its Day Training and Habilitation program. Employment services include career exploration, job training, placement and ongoing support in the workplace. Educational options include classes, such as community, cooking and more.

Opportunity Partners is always looking to partner with additional businesses in need of dedicated, hard-working employees or supervised work teams. Opportunity Partners provides the transportation, training and ongoing support.

The Coon Rapids office also provides in-home residential services to about 100 people. These services are geared toward increasing the self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities. Staff may go to a person’s home to assist with meal planning, budgeting and other daily tasks, for example.

More information about Opportunity Partners is available on the Web at www.opportunitypartners.org or by contacting the Coon Rapids office at 763-792-4581.