For more than 40 years, The Meadows Center for Opportunity has served two important purposes in the metro area. The Edmond-based nonprofit organization provides secure document shredding and data destruction, while creating an inclusive and supportive work environment for adults with developmental and intellectual challenges.
The Meadows employs people with differing abilities to help provide quality, efficient service for their customers. Currently, they provide business services to more than 2,500 organizations and businesses across the state.
“What drives us is the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of the people we serve, through employment and vocational training. No other mission or driving force for us is greater,” explains James Hill, executive director.
“Adults with developmental and intellectual challenges have been historically shunned from working within the community,” he adds. “Employment provides a sense of purpose, fulfillment, satisfaction and a feeling of inclusion. Our uniqueness is in who we employ. Seventy percent of our workforce has a developmental challenge, and they produce high-quality results.”
The Meadows provides controlled employment and training services to individuals with developmental disabilities and with trauma-related brain injuries. The business strives to provide every employee with specialized training and work opportunities designed to help them realize their maximum potential and productivity.
In addition to their shredding and data destruction services, The Meadows provides packaging, equipment delivery, assembling, bulk mailing preparations and more. They also recently added a mobile shredding service and can bring a mobile unit to a business or home, shredding on-site.
“Our document destruction business provides the community a means to safely shred their documents, and our businesses and residential customers can feel confident that their documents are handled in a secure and industry-professional manner,” James explains. “We readily respond to our customers’ needs relating to quality and turn-around time.”
The Meadows ensures their employees have the resources they need to enjoy a successful work day by providing responsive training, allowing a flexible work pace and offering behavioral support and counseling.
“Our employees work at a pace they’ve set for themselves,” James says. “We provide grace to our employees. There are moments when an employee may have a bad day and we can gently and compassionately counsel with the employee, redirecting and giving them time and space to re-engage in a better way. Our staff is trained to be able to respond in a way that benefits both the employee and the business.”
The Meadows prides themselves on offering a safe work environment that supports its employees, James notes, adding that in addition to encouraging growth, education, safety and mental health, The Meadows also supports through a benefits and retirement package.
“It’s been the absolute best job I’ve ever had the pleasure to do. Being a part of The Meadows has helped me keep things in perspective, and my crew helps keep me grounded and stay focused on what really matters, which are people and relationships,” James says.
“The reward is coming to work and watching our employees enjoy being here. It’s a family atmosphere, to be sure.”
Readers interested in supporting The Meadows have several options, including hiring the company for its shredding and/or other business services. People also may sponsor or participate in the business’s annual Walk-a-Thon fundraiser or make a direct donation to support the organization.
To learn more about The Meadows and their services and mission, visit MeadowsOklahoma.com.
“The reward is coming to work and watching our employees enjoy being here. It’s a family atmosphere, to be sure.”