2024 Community Partnership Spirit Award
President Sandra Doran with Rene Lambert, executive director of OWC
From left to right: Debbie Ericson, program services director at OWC, Rene Lambert, executive director of OWC, and Nancy Clark, occupational therapy fieldwork educator, Bay Path University.
Bay Path University recently honored Opportunity Works Connecticut (OWC) with its annual Community Partnership Spirit Award.
This award, established in 2017 on the recommendation of Dr. Diane Hall of the psychology department, recognizes organizations that have demonstrated a long-term commitment to the Bay Path community and have played a significant role in supporting student success through mentorship, leadership, career development, and collaborative initiatives. The recipient is also a community partner who has captured the spirit and essence of the Bay Path University mission.
Opportunity Works Connecticut (OWC), a non-profit organization based in Vernon, CT, supports individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities by providing meaningful vocational activities and employment opportunities. Since 2018, Bay Path University’s Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) students have partnered with OWC to offer hands-on internship, observation, and field work experiences. These experiences, supervised by licensed occupational therapists and staff professionals, allow students to provide essential services to OWC participants, focusing on skills such as self-care, social interaction, and workplace integration. Since 2018, over 100 MOT students have fulfilled their fieldwork through placements at OWC.
This partnership has been mutually beneficial, offering Bay Path students practical experience while significantly enhancing the quality of life for OWC’s participants. In the last year, this effort to provide student experiences has expanded to include pre-OT student observation opportunities, WELL service learning, and undergraduate psychology internships.
Rene Lambert, executive director, accepted the award on behalf of OWC and credits Nancy Clark, occupational therapy fieldwork educator in the MOT department and occupational therapist at OWC, for the successful partnership. According to Dr. Amanda Lizotte, MOT director of clinical education and academic fieldwork coordinator: “This Bay Path/ OWC partnership was created through Nancy’s vision. It's her baby, and she's been there since day one.” Great praise for a great partnership!
Congratulations, Opportunity Works Connecticut and Carpe Diem!