National nonprofit expands to Benton to support people with disabilities
National nonprofit expands to Benton to support people with disabilities
(Monday, June 21, 2010, Benton, KY)- Community Options is a national nonprofit organization that has been developing homes and employment for people with disabilities since 1989. The organization currently operates in 32 cities across 9 states and they have recently expanded into the Benton area.
Under the direction of Executive Director, Carla Spencer, the organization is excited about their new location and supporting people with disabilities in this region. Spencer holds an MBA from Indiana State University and a BS in Institutional Administration and Chemistry from Appalachian State University. Spencer ha s supported people with disabilities in Kentucky since 2005 as she previously held a senior management role and is a licensed dietician and nutritionist with experience with Intermediate Care Facilities. Spencer is highly knowledgeable about the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities.
The organization works to develop community-based homes and non-traditional day programming supports for people with disabilities. The Founder of the organization, Robert Stack, is the current President and CEO of the organization and has spent his career advocating that people with disabilities should live and work in their communities and not in institutional settings.
“The organization started supporting people with disabilities in Kentucky, specifically, Bowling Green, three years ago and has steadily grown an d become a provider of choice for many people and families” says Karen Hensley, Regional Vice President of Community Options for Kentucky, Tennessee and South Carolina.
The organization has many events and volunteer opportunities. Community Options is also know for holding the largest national, simultaneous 5K run in the country, Cupid’s Chase.
Community Options has over 2,500 employees nationwide and supports thousands of people with disabilities. There are many ways to get involved with the organization.