About Us
What is Off The Couch Events?
Off The Couch Events (OTCE) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
The organization is for adults with disabilities, age 18 and over.
In 2009 we began with six participants; we now have a following of 90 participants, providers, family and friends.
Our program has both a socialization and educational component.
The socialization component is a monthly Activity Night.
Our educational component involves getting out into the community. Through donations and grants received during the past sixteen years, we have had the opportunity to be involved in special projects and field trips:
- The Portland Rose Festival Starlight Parade
- The NE Portland Neighborhood St. Patrick's Day Parade
- We took a cruise on the Portland Spirit
- We participated in a special art project with local artists culminating in our own art show at a gallery in Pioneer Place
- We saw our own OTCE t-shirts being made at a local screen printing company
- We made holiday gift bags for those in need
- We sang holiday songs at a local memory care unit
- We toured Franz Bakery
- We learned to how to grow gourds and used them in an art project
We look forward to many more memory making events.
Thank you to the individuals, companies and foundations who have supported us through our journey.
Come Join Us!
Activity Night is two hours of just plain fun! We meet the third Friday of the month (excluding summer). It's a themed event with board games, Lego, a craft, dancing, temporary tattoos, coloring, and we celebrate birthdays! Our goal is to provide a little something for all abilities. We offer light snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. Along with soft drinks, our bartender creates a new "mocktail" for each event.
Some of our Activity Night themes:
- Pirate Night
- Crazy Hat Night
- Casino Night
- Monster Mash
- Evening Wear Night (PJs or Formal wear)
- Disney Night
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How do I sign up for Activity Night?
Email offthecouchevents@gmail.com to get on our email list. Around the first of the month, watch for an email from us.
All new attendees MUST come with a companion over the age of 18. The cost is $7 (cash only) for the participant and the first companion is free. Have fun!
This event is a great opportunity to meet new friends and reconnect with old ones.
Who are we and how did this get started?
Our organization is supported by a Board, volunteers, and generous donors. We come from all walks of life and truly have become an Off The Couch family. The majority of our volunteers have been with OTCE since we began, sixteen years ago.
We provide socialization/educational opportunities for disabled adults in a non-competitive,
non-threatening environment.
Executive Director and Founder of OTCE, Shauna Perkins, started this program to fill a need. As a parent of a young adult with a disability, it quickly became apparent that once these individuals leave high school/transition centers, they lose daily contact with their peers and can become isolated. Off The Couch Events helps fill this void.
Shauna is proud to be the recipient of a City of Portland People Making A Difference Award and is a KATU Everyday Hero.