Inroads To Opportunities

Inroads To Opportunities Empowering people with disabilities in their pursuit of employment, independence and life skills. We have grown from serving 4 individuals to over 500 annually.

Occupational Center of Union County (OCUC) was founded in March of 1959 as a not-for-profit 501 (c) 3 agency serving the greater Union County area. We are committed to providing vocational preparation, transition from school to work, job placement and mental health services to individuals with all types of disabilities from ages 16 on up. We have established relationships with 100's of local businesses, schools, hospitals, community agencies, and families. Starting in 2015, we will be doing business as Inroads to Opportunities. Inroads is certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). We are an approved provider of the NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, the NJ Division of Development Disabilities and the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. We are licensed by the state of New Jersey to provide mental health partial care services under the Division of Mental Health and Addictions Services. We are an approved Medicaid provider and an approved Employment Network under the Ticket to Work Social Security initiative.

03/17/2026

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from all of us at Inroads to Opportunities!

Although it was a chilly and windy day, our team proudly marched in the Roselle St. Patrick’s Day Parade last weekend. It was wonderful to connect with our community, celebrate together, and show our Inroads pride.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the parade and cheer us on. Days like this remind us how lucky we are to be part of such a supportive community.

Last month, participants in our Inroads Mental Health Program came together for a joyful Valentine’s celebration filled ...
03/13/2026

Last month, participants in our Inroads Mental Health Program came together for a joyful Valentine’s celebration filled with music, creativity, laughter, and community.

Events like these are more than just fun gatherings—they provide opportunities for individuals to build friendships, strengthen social connections, and experience a sense of belonging in a supportive environment.

Our Mental Health Program focuses on helping individuals develop confidence, coping skills, social engagement, and emotional wellness, while creating a space where everyone feels valued and supported.

Moments like these remind us that community, compassion, and connection are powerful parts of the healing process.

03/12/2026

Reading, learning, and celebrating culture! 📚

Our TransitionPLUS students recently celebrated Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’s birthday, while also honoring Black History Month through reading, discussion, and creative activities.

Students explored stories that inspire imagination, celebrate diverse voices, and highlight the importance of education and opportunity. Through reading together, they strengthened literacy skills, shared ideas, and connected with stories that reflect the richness of our communities. We would like to give a huge thank you to Charmaine's brother for speaking with our participants!

Programs like TransitionPLUS help young adults build academic, social, and life skills that prepare them for the next steps in employment, independence, and community engagement.

Because every great future begins with learning and curiosity.

You’re Invited!Join us for our 4th Annual Celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month as we recognize the ...
03/09/2026

You’re Invited!

Join us for our 4th Annual Celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month as we recognize the talents, contributions, and achievements of individuals with disabilities in our community.

This year’s celebration will be especially meaningful as we officially unveil and celebrate the Ribbon Cutting for Inroads to Opportunities’ newly created Vocational & Life Skills Development Center, a space designed to empower individuals with disabilities through hands-on training, independence-building programs, and real-world skill development.

This special event is co-hosted by the Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce and will bring together community leaders, families, advocates, and local businesses committed to creating more inclusive opportunities.

Tuesday, March 24
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Inroads to Opportunities
301 Cox Street Roselle, NJ

RSVP: Marketing@inroadsto.com

Together, we celebrate ability, opportunity, and the power of community.

We hope you’ll join us for this important moment in Inroads’ continued mission to build pathways toward independence and meaningful employment.

Spring Forward Reminder! ⏰Don’t forget to move your clocks forward one hour this Sunday as Daylight Saving Time begins.W...
03/08/2026

Spring Forward Reminder! ⏰

Don’t forget to move your clocks forward one hour this Sunday as Daylight Saving Time begins.

While we may lose an hour of sleep, we gain longer days, brighter evenings, and more opportunities to learn, work, and connect as a community.

At Inroads to Opportunities, every new day is another opportunity for the individuals we support to build skills, grow confidence, and take meaningful steps toward independence.

Here’s to longer days and continued progress together.

Did you know?Inroads to Opportunities provides hands-on vocational training that helps individuals build confidence, str...
03/07/2026

Did you know?

Inroads to Opportunities provides hands-on vocational training that helps individuals build confidence, strengthen job skills, and prepare for meaningful employment in the community.

From packaging and assembly, to janitorial skills, to Pre-Educational Transition Services and TransitionPLUS training for young adults, our vocational programs are designed to meet people where they are and support them as they take their next steps toward independence.

Stay tuned all month long as we spotlight the real work, real skills, and real accomplishments happening across our campus every day.

Out of consideration for families and caregivers who expressed interest but were unable to attend tonight, we will be re...
03/05/2026

Out of consideration for families and caregivers who expressed interest but were unable to attend tonight, we will be rescheduling our Financial Planning for Families Caring for Loved Ones with Disabilities seminar for a date later this spring.

We appreciate the support of our guest speakers Brian Sykes and Xiaolan Kruk of National Financial Network, and we look forward to hosting this valuable conversation soon.

Stay tuned for the new date.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month: a time to celebrate inclusion, empowerment, and the incredible cont...
03/04/2026

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month: a time to celebrate inclusion, empowerment, and the incredible contributions of individuals with disabilities.

At Inroads to Opportunities, we remain committed to creating pathways to employment, independence, and community engagement for the adults and young adults we serve. This month, and every month, we champion opportunity, visibility, and the belief that everyone deserves the chance to thrive.

Join us as we spotlight success stories, highlight partnerships, and showcase the impact of inclusive workplaces and supportive services across Union County.

Attention caregivers, parents, and families!Join us on Thursday, March 5th at 6:00 PM at Inroads to Opportunities for an...
03/03/2026

Attention caregivers, parents, and families!

Join us on Thursday, March 5th at 6:00 PM at Inroads to Opportunities for an informative and practical seminar on Financial Planning for Families Caring for Loved Ones with Disabilities.

We’re excited to welcome guest speakers Brian Sykes, CFP®, ChFC®, ChSNC®, CEXP and Xiaolan Kruk of the National Financial Network, who specialize in guiding families through the unique financial considerations that come with disability planning.

This seminar will help you better understand how to protect your family, coordinate benefits, and build a secure long-term financial plan with confidence and clarity.

What You’ll Learn
Mistakes to avoid when planning for your loved one

Estate and legacy planning strategies

How to plan for a secure retirement and provide a future financial legacy

How organization impacts your long-term success

Actionable steps to move forward in your planning

Why just having a trust is not a full plan

What Won’t Be Covered
Individualized strategies for your personal situation

Specific details on benefit programs

Whether you're getting started or strengthening an existing plan, this is a valuable opportunity to learn from experienced professionals who understand both the technical and human sides of financial planning.

📧 RSVP: marketing@inroadsto.com

02/28/2026

Vocational Spotlight February 2026

Celebrating Aletha S

Her laugh is infectious. Her work ethic is unwavering. And her commitment to being on time every single day sets the tone for the entire team!

Aletha brings joy, reliability, and pride to everything she does. She shows up ready to learn, ready to contribute, and ready to make a difference. What more could any employer ask for?

Please join us in congratulating Aletha on being our February Vocational Spotlight honoree.

Keep up the amazing work, Aletha! We are so proud of you.

🌟 Inroads CEO Angela Calzone Featured on the Speshal People Podcast! 🌟“The label is not the person.”That message is at t...
02/26/2026

🌟 Inroads CEO Angela Calzone Featured on the Speshal People Podcast! 🌟

“The label is not the person.”
That message is at the heart of Angela Calzone’s powerful conversation on the Speshal People podcast — a must-listen for anyone who works with, cares about, or wants to better understand people with disabilities.

Angela speaks openly about a habit we all have:
The moment we notice a difference in someone, we let that difference define their entire identity. Race. Age. Gender. Disability.
But people are more than labels — they are humor, ambition, resilience, frustration, creativity, dreams, and perspectives we cannot see unless we invite them into the room.

⚡ “Disability does not erase ability.”
⚡ “Tolerance is not the goal. Inclusion is a skill.”
⚡ “The real cost of exclusion is missing the voices that would have changed everything.”

Angela’s insights challenge assumptions, break stereotypes, and remind us that inclusion isn’t charity — it’s a path to a richer, more connected world.

🎧 Listen to the full episode and join the conversation.
Angela is not just leading a nonprofit — she is helping redefine how society sees the people we serve.

Inroads to Opportunities will RE-OPEN tomorrow Wednesday February 25th with regular programming.�Thank you for your pati...
02/25/2026

Inroads to Opportunities will RE-OPEN tomorrow Wednesday February 25th with regular programming.

�Thank you for your patience during the storm. We’re excited to welcome everyone back safely!

Address

301 Cox Street
Roselle, NJ
07203

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