July 20, 2017
Cox Provides Greater Opportunity
Contract expansion, $300k grant offer Opportunity Village workers brighter future
LAS VEGAS – July 20, 2017 - Cox Communications is empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to become self-sufficient and is integrating them into the community through a partnership with Opportunity Village (OV). A presentation at Opportunity Village’s North Campus today announced an expanded contract to provide independence to more individuals through wage-paying, vocational jobs. In addition, a $300,000 check from the James M. Cox Foundation was presented to help fund OV’s Christopher’s Crossing Capital Campaign.
The contract expansion with OV will secure vocational training well into the future for the self-titled “Rockin’ Remoters” – a core group of currently 10 workers focused on the rehab of Cox remotes with another 45 workers refurbishing, neatly packaging and sealing equipment power cords and adapters in a 20,000 sf production and training facility.
A $300,000 check from the James M. Cox Foundation will support the PRIDE and Enable programs at OV’s Oakey Campus. The Cox Foundation provides philanthropic support to nonprofits where Cox Enterprises and its divisions (Cox Communications, Cox Automotive and Cox Media Group) operate.
About Opportunity Village
Mission: Opportunity Village is a not-for-profit organization that serves people within our community with significant intellectual disabilities, to improve their lives and the lives of their families.
Seven families who were determined to give their children with disabilities the best lives possible founded Opportunity Village in 1954. Now, more than 60 years later, Opportunity Village is one of the most recognized and respected organizations of its type in the United States. Nevada’s largest employer of people with disabilities, Opportunity Village serves nearly 2,000 individuals annually, providing vocational training, employment, habilitation and social recreation programs and services that make their lives more purposeful and interesting.
Opportunity Village citizens – individuals who were previously considered unemployable – work at Opportunity Village’s Employment Resource Centers and in jobs throughout the community, collectively earning wages amounting to more than $3.9 million in 2014. They are hard-working and diligent, proudly paying taxes and happily leading more fulfilling lives. Primarily a self-funded organization, Opportunity Village generates the majority of its operational funding through its employment contracts and fundraising efforts such as the Magical Forest and Great Santa Run, saving Nevada taxpayers nearly $35 million annually.
About Cox Communications
Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and home security and automation services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable company, Cox serves approximately 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and digital media advertising. Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in broadband, voice and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For nine years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity 12 times. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.
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A $300,000 check from the James M. Cox Foundation was presented to Opportunity Village (OV) to support the PRIDE and Enable programs at OV’s Oakey Campus during a ceremony on July 20. From left are Patrick J. Esser, president of Cox Communications; OV client Sam; John Wolfe, senior vice president at Cox; Bob Brown, president and CEO of OV; Michael Bolognini, OV board member and vice president - market leader at Cox; Jeremy Aguero, chair of OV board of directors and principal at Applied Analysis. Seated in front is OV client Talina.
Cox Communications announced an expansion of an existing local contract with Opportunity Village (OV) to sort, clean, test and package Cox remote control units and wires/cables for its Nevada cable operations. The contract will now include its cable operations in five other states. OV clients performing the work refer to themselves as “Rockin’ Remoters” and were presented with custom “Remoters” t-shirts at the announcement. From left are John Wolfe, senior vice president at Cox; Bob Brown, president and CEO of OV; Patrick J. Esser, president of Cox Communications; OV client Cathy; OV client Sam; OV client Talina and Michael Bolognini, OV board member and vice president - market leader at Cox.