QWO serves individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and their caregiving families in Oregon and SW Washington. Our guests include individuals with a wide variety of I/DD (e.g., Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Autism), ethnic backgrounds, religions, financial statuses, ages (18 and up) and living situations.
QWO was founded in 1997 by Steve Ristow. With a desire to help families like his own, Steve opened QWO as a way to provide respite to individuals with I/DD and their families while also serving their need for spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical restoration.
QWO became a non-profit corporation in May of 1997 under the federal code 501 (c)(3). It has a governing Board of Directors consisting of community members who monitor the direction, integrity, and development of the organization. QWO employs an Executive Director, Day Program Manager and Billing Expert, Director of Ministry and Fundraising, Interior Beautification Specialist, and a great team of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs).
