Money from the O’Reilly Automotive Foundation supports job training programs
O’Reilly Automotive Foundation, Inc., the philanthropy arm of O’Reilly Auto Parts, awarded a $25,000 grant to VPI to purchase a van dedicated to transporting clients, those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, to and from worksites so they can participate in various educational and employment programs.
“Transportation has always been a challenge for our clients,” said Tim Riebau, president and CEO of VPI, Inc. “Recently, it’s gotten worse as public transit hours in our area have been reduced. This van will help us ensure more people can achieve greater independence as they access job training, employment opportunities, and educational programs.”
With a belief that a disability or social disadvantage shouldn’t hold anyone back from achieving an optimum level of independence, VPI was founded to connect people with employment.
A key part of VPI’s mission is its employment programs, which provide job training and help individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, brain injuries, and physical disabilities connect with employers in the community. By offering skill development and direct employment connections, VPI empowers individuals to achieve greater economic independence. However, reliable transportation remains a significant barrier to workforce participation, making initiatives like this van purchase essential for expanding access to job opportunities.
VPI provided 4,986 rides to clients in staff vehicles in 2024, and they provided 6,584 trips in the two minibuses they already have.
“This initiative fits perfectly with so many of our focus areas, including economic stability, workforce development, and health and social services,” said Julie Gray, president of the O’Reilly Automotive Foundation. “We hope this van will not only give greater independence to people in these programs, but also a sense of pride in their abilities.”
VPI’s grant is part of a year-end round of giving for the O’Reilly Foundation, which awarded $1 million across 35 nonprofits nationwide. It’s the largest distribution of funds from the foundation since its founding in 2020.
VPI is currently creating a new Community Programs Collective, a fully accessible and inclusive space that will bring together its Early Intervention Birth to 3 Program of Outagamie and Winnebago Counties, its adult day services, and its mental health, education and employment programs. If you’d like to donate or get involved, go online to vpiwi.org.
About O’Reilly Automotive Foundation, Inc.
The O’Reilly Automotive Foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of the O’Reilly family as a dependable community partner, supporting organizations and programs that address issues critical to improving the quality of life for underserved and underrepresented individuals and families. The Foundation concentrates its giving in the areas of economic stability and mobility, workforce development, health and social services and disaster relief.
About O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.
Since 1957, O’Reilly Automotive, Inc., has grown from a family-owned company to a leader in the automotive replacement parts industry. It supplies equipment, tools, parts, and accessories to professional service providers and do-it-yourself customers across the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Canada. With more than 6,200 store locations and growing, the O’Reilly Professional Parts People deliver excellent customer service, knowledge and value to the communities they serve.
About VPI, Inc.
VPI, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization provides a variety of community programs and services – including education, early intervention, employment, mental health, and social and recreational services, and packaging solutions to the Fox Cities and surrounding areas. By providing efficient contract packaging and production services to private industry with an integrated workforce, VPI has been able to deliver community programing and services to support the changing needs of community members with disabilities or disadvantages.
VPI’s mission is to promote the dignity and worth of individuals who have disabilities or are disadvantaged and to assist them in developing their optimum level of social, vocational, and economic independence in the community.