Diverse Options is proud to celebrate 50 years of serving the Ripon community and surrounding areas. Since 1975, our organization—originally founded as the Ripon Area Service Center (RASC), which operated under that name from 1975–2005—has been committed to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Our mission is to empower people to reach their full potential, develop greater independence, and participate fully in community life.
In the early years, RASC launched a woodworking shop that produced decorative items and unfinished crafting kits under the “Add-Your-Touch” label. These products were sold through AC Moore, Ben Franklin, and a storefront in downtown Ripon. While the woodshop closed in 2000, it laid the foundation for future opportunities that combined skill-building with meaningful work.
Today, Diverse Options continues this legacy through a wide range of programs and partnerships. Our pre-vocational training program includes sub-contracting jobs for area manufacturers as well as two long-standing contracts with the Wisconsin Department of Corrections: assembling intake/hygiene kits and finishing socks for inmates. These “evergreen” contracts provide consistent employment opportunities and remain active as long as we deliver quality products at fair market prices.
In recent years, our focus has expanded from facility-based work to community-based learning. Every day, team members engage in personal enrichment activities, life skills classes, and hands-on experiences in the community. Small groups explore employment and volunteer opportunities, practice social skills, and gain real-world experience in independent living. These opportunities not only support individual growth but also foster stronger connections between our team members and the wider community.
