During 1959, parents approached the Lexington Junior League on behalf of people who had physical and/or mental disabilities which prevented them from obtaining employment thus creating a vocational handicap.

Over the next two years contacts were made with leaders of industry, business, professions, and agencies from both the private and public sectors.

On September 1, 1961, this community need became Opportunity Workshop of Lexington, Inc. The Junior League presented OWL with $30,000, from their annual horse show, as seed money to start the operations.