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Walnut Valley Water District (WVWD) was recently honored by the California Disability Services Association (CDSA) who presented them with the 2019 Star Award in recognition of the district’s OPARC Maintenance Program. OPARC is a nonprofit agency based in Montclair that serves more than 800 developmentally disabled adults in Southern California by providing high quality programming to improves the lives of the developmentally disabled.
WVWD was honored with the 2019 Star Award for its long-standing partnership with OPARC that provides developmentally disabled adults with meaningful employment opportunities. The Star Award was presented to WVWD at the CDSA’s annual Legislative and Award Reception on September 25 in Pasadena. WVWD’s Board President Ed Hilden, General Manager Erik Hitchman, and Assistant General Manager Brian Teuber were in attendance to receive the award.
“The OPARC team conducts essential performance and maintenance services for the District,” said WVWD Field Service Lead Gabriel Lievanos. “The crews gain hands-on experience in a professional setting which helps them obtain the skills and financial security they need to support independent living.”
OPARC’s members form a crew at WVWD and perform various tasks throughout the district’s service area that includes painting fire hydrants, air vacs and blow-offs. Crew members also ensure that district property and assets are well maintained throughout the year.
“Walnut Valley Water District is honored to be recognized for its partnership with OPARC,” said WVWD Board President Hilden. “Contributing to the local community through meaningful and impactful sponsorships is one of the District’s highest priorities. We look forward to continuing these efforts for years to come.”
OPARC teams have also worked with Cucamonga Valley Water District and Rowland Water District to provide a variety of maintenance services including painting fire hydrants for these two water districts. OPARC was founded in 1950 (originally known as the Ontario-Pomona Association of Retarded Citizens) and is one of the largest organizations providing day program services to qualifying adults in the Inland Empire and San Gabriel/Pomona valleys.
