Guthrie Opportunity Center

We are a non-profit organization in Nelson County, Kentucky serving developmentally disadvantaged members of our community with a family-like environment that enables them to acquire life skills training and achieve independence through work opportunities.

VISION

To provide services which empower developmentally disadvantaged citizens will benefit them and our community.  Working together with our Community Partners, Schools, State Agencies and concerned citizens will allow us to design and deliver a support system that is viable and sustainable.

MISSION

To provide and sustain a nurturing environment that promotes learning, creates a sense of independence and provides lifelong support to the developmentally disadvantaged in Nelson County.

FUNDRAISING

There are many different ways that we fundraise to keep the center running at full capacity. One being the Very Special Bourbon Brunch and Bourbon and Bubbles Gala that is a trademark and iconic of Bardstown! It is held right here at the Guthrie Opportunity Center! 

Our History

Nelson County Industries was established in 1974 by Communicare, in partnership with the Nelson County Association for the Handicapped, to provide training and employment opportunities for developmentally disadvantaged adults.  Over time, the building that housed the NCI workplace became insufficient to sustain growth and making improvements to the building were deemed to be cost prohibitive.  To overcome these deficiencies, the Guthrie Opportunity Center Foundation was formed and incorporated in 2011.  The mission of the Foundation is to financially support and expand the delivery of vocational training and job placement opportunities for developmentally disabled adults in Nelson County, Kentucky.

Through generous support from the community, the Foundation was able to acquire an 85,000 square foot warehouse to replace the previous NCI facility.  This new facility, named the Guthrie Opportunity Center, affords ample space for expanding and growing our services. Since the Foundation initially lacked tax exempt status, the building was entrusted to Communicare, Inc. and initial improvements were made to add client support offices, continue training programs and contractual operations.

After receiving nonprofit status in 2014, the Foundation took possession of the building. We now assist Communicare in expanding vocational opportunities and securing community business partners.  These partners offer contract work to the center and integrated employment for higher-functioning individuals within their businesses.