Ollie Webb Center visits Olympics event

The National Special Oplympics has brought the attention from major stars like Harrison Ford and Andy Roddick as well as less known local stars like the people at the Ollie Webb Center in Omaha, Neb.
The Ollie Webb Center, named after Ollie Webb, a self-advocacy spokesperson, will bring a group of people to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to enjoy the Special Olympics on Thursday.
"It is a good opportunity to support those individuals who are athletes in the game," said Lisa Dougherty, mentoring services director. 
She said the Arc of Omaha does not have any sports programs except for a basketball team, and it encourages those participating in the games to stay in shape and live a healthy lifestyle. 
For those spectators, it provides the opportunity to support others with disabilities and be a part of the community. 
"It gives them the chance to see the excitement that surrounds the National Games," she said. 
The Ollie Webb Center has two programs - The Arc of Omaha and Career Solutions. The Arc of Omaha and Career Services serves people of all ages with developmental disabilities. 
The Arc of Omaha started in the 1950s and Career Solutions was founded in the mid-1990s. The two programs merged together to become the Ollie Webb Center in 2005. 
There are over 1,000 people in the program on an annual basis, said Valerie Stoj, department and public relations director. 
Namesake, Ollie Webb, was successfull with helping others. . 
"She had some disabilities, but was out to live the life she wanted," Stoj said. "so she started speaking out." 
The people in the program have other events and activities that vary by age, Stoj said. 
"For young children we have a monthly kids club where they can play games," she said. "For teens we have a teens mentoring program." 
The program plans trips to Funplex, the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo as well as one-on-one events between the teen and the mentor.
For adults there are monthly dinners and movie events and luaus.
Jamie Swinarski, a junior advertising major and a development and public relations intern, is in her second summer working with the Ollie Webb Center. 
"My experience as an intern at the Ollie Webb Center has been a growing one," she wrote in an email. "I have learned so much about development and public relations by practicing it here." 
Her duties consist of writing news releases, assembling press kits, posting events to community calendars and utilizing social networking. 
"Last summer, I was also heavily involved in planning the kick-off event for 2 Guys – 2 Wheels – 2 Trails, in which a father and son team road a tandem bike from Omaha to St. Louis, MO to raise funds in gratitude for the services their family has received," she said.
She said she feels she has a better idea on where her career is headed. 
"I have enjoyed my time being an intern at the Ollie Webb Center," she said. "I love how I get an opportunity each day to practice my future career (Public Relations), while at the same time helping a great cause."
kimbuckley@dailynebraskan.com