Career Opportunity Development

What Career Opportunity Development does

Career Opportunity Development, Inc. (CODI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1970 and headquartered at 901 Atlantic Avenue, Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, serving individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and other disadvantages in Atlantic County and surrounding regions. CODI's dual portfolio combines consumer-facing human services (vocational training, supported employment, adult training services, case management, supportive housing, food pantry operations) with commercial business services (auto detailing, mobile car wash, janitorial/cleaning, printing, document shredding, power washing, and a production/Outsource Center for assembly, packaging, kitting, and direct mail). The Outsource Center serves a dual purpose: delivering competitively-priced business services to commercial customers while providing vocational training and paid work experience to consumers enrolled in the Extended Employment program.

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: (1) government funding contracts from three New Jersey state agencies — the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), and Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) — which fund supported employment, adult training services, community support services, and housing; (2) commercial revenue from the Outsource Center's outsourced production, printing, shredding, cleaning, and mobile services, with transparent unit pricing (shredding at $0.70/lb, power washing at $125/hour); and (3) donations and fundraising, including tax-deductible contributions via Donorbox and a Shop With Scrip gift card rebate program. Anchor commercial customers include Curexa Compounding Pharmacy (mail-order box construction, since 2020), Nicholas & Partners (direct mail, decade-plus), Golden Nugget Casino Atlantic City (mobile car wash), CHOP (daily lunch preparation), Cheerful Givers (candle wicking), Craig Test Boring (soil sample jar assembly), Acme Markets, ShopRite, Atlantic Care, and Atlantic Color. The organization is led by President & CEO Linda Carney, with a management team that includes a Chief Compliance Officer, Outsource Center Manager, Community Engagement Specialist, HR Coordinator, and Winner's Group Coordinator. CODI holds no proprietary technology; operations rely on standard nonprofit and productivity tooling.

Name

Career Opportunity Development

Legal name

Career Opportunity Development, Inc.

Website

https://njcodi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CODI is a 55-year-old New Jersey nonprofit that delivers vocational training, supported employment, housing, and community support services to individuals with disabilities and mental illness, while operating an Outsource Center providing shredding, printing, cleaning, and production services to commercial customers in Atlantic County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Egg Harbor City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding Contracts: CODI receives funding from NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), and Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) to provide employment services, adult training, housing, and community support to individuals with disabilities.
2. Business Outsourcing Services: CODI's Outsource Center generates revenue by providing production services to commercial clients including assembly, packaging, printing, shredding, and maintenance services. Pricing is competitive, with shredding at $0.70/lb and power washing at $125/hour.
3. Donations and Fundraising: CODI accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals, groups, and corporations. The organization also raises funds through gift card sales via Shop With Scrip program, where purchases generate rebates for CODI.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CODI provides vocational training, supported employment, adult training, case management, supportive housing, and community integration services for adults with developmental disabilities and mental illness. To fund and operate these programs, CODI runs a commercial Outsource Center that delivers production, printing, shredding, mobile car wash, auto detailing, maintenance, and power washing services to businesses, government agencies, schools, and nonprofits. Government contracts with DVRS, DDD, and DMHAS fund the consumer side, while service fees and donations fund operations.

Product overview

CODI operates as a nonprofit organization offering a dual portfolio of services: Business Services providing commercial offerings (auto detailing, mobile car wash, maintenance/cleaning, printing, shredding, power washing, and production/outsource center) that create meaningful employment for differently-abled individuals while serving external customers; and Consumer Services providing support programs including housing (shared semi-independent and opioid use disorder supportive housing), community support services, adult training services (ATS), supported employment, food pantry, and Winner's Group activities. The organization also runs volunteer and internship programs, and a Scrip/gift card fundraising program. Services are funded through partnerships with NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), and Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Auto Detailing Professional auto detailing services including full exterior hand wash and wax, interior detailing with thorough vacuuming and deep cleaning, and wheel and tire care. Services are fully insured with central location for easy drop-off and pick-up. Customers include commercial fleets and individuals, with pricing package available upon contact.
• Mobile Car Wash Mobile car wash services that bring vehicle cleaning to customer locations, providing convenient exterior and interior cleaning solutions. Used by commercial customers including Golden Nugget Casino Atlantic City for vehicle cleaning on their premises.
• Maintenance Service Professional cleaning services for offices and commercial spaces using eco-friendly products with flexible scheduling. Serves commercial clients including janitorial contracts while supporting an inclusive workforce.
• Printing Professional printing services including newsletters, brochures, posters (up to 11" x 17"), flyers, programs, letterhead, envelopes, and business cards with fast turnaround and high-resolution output. Serves commercial and nonprofit customers including Atlantic Care, Atlantic Color, Happle Printing, and Ventnor Print Shop.
• Shredding Secure document shredding services priced at 70 cents per pound. Serves commercial, personal, and small business customers with confidential documents, medical records, and financial statements destruction. Provides destruction certificates upon request and offers pickup or curbside drop-off. Discounted for government, schools, and nonprofits.
• Power Washing Professional power washing services for building exteriors, sidewalks, decks, and driveways at $125/hour with fast turnaround and customized service to specific surfaces and customer needs.
• Outsource Center Production Services Vocational training and work experience center providing assembly, packaging, sorting and collating mailings, quality control, re-packaging/re-labeling, kitting, light manufacturing, and manual labor services. Has operated for over 50 years, serving Extended Employment consumers and commercial customers including Curexa Pharmacy (box construction since 2020), Nicholas & Partners (direct mail for over a decade), A Cheerful Giver (candle wicking), and Craig Test Boring (soil sample jar lid screwing).
• Supported Employment Job development, job coaching, and long-term follow-along (LTFA) services funded through NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS). Helps differently-abled individuals secure and maintain competitive integrated employment at community employers including Acme Markets (cashier) and ShopRite Hammonton (Shop-from-Home Associate). In FY24, 19 of 22 referred consumers transitioned from supported to community employment with 100% stakeholder satisfaction.
• Adult Training Services (ATS) Program funded by the NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) providing comprehensive support, skill-building, and community integration opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. Emphasizes vocational skills, communication, social skills, and daily living skills.
• Community Support Services (CSS) Case management services for individuals with documented severe and persistent mental health diagnosis. Provides personalized case management and life skills training to support daily functioning and overall well-being.
• Shared Semi-Independent Supportive Housing Housing and intensive case management services for individuals with a history of mental illness. CODI staff assists with locating and securing housing, accessing public entitlements, obtaining employment, and living independently. Delivered in community settings throughout Atlantic County, NJ, with applications accepted from individuals with documented severe and persistent psychiatric diagnosis.
• Opioid Use Disorder Supportive Housing Supportive housing program for individuals with opioid use disorder, providing case management and recovery support services to enable independent living and recovery in community settings.
• Food Pantry Food pantry created in memory of Michael Zippel Jr. and operated by dedicated volunteers. Provides essential items to adults living in group homes and their own apartments, including clothing, hygiene products, household items, and non-perishable food.
• Winner's Group Monthly gathering on the third Wednesday from 10am to 2:30pm offering caseworker meetings, group activities, lunch, games, and food pantry distribution for consumers receiving Community Support Services or B-level residential services.
• Shop With Scrip Gift Card Program Gift card purchasing program through Shop With Scrip that generates revenue for CODI. Supports retailers including ShopRite, Acme, Walmart, Target, and restaurants. Each card purchased produces a rebate to CODI at no additional cost to purchasers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 19 of 22 DVRS referrals transitioned from supported employment to community employment (FY24)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Curexa PharmacycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020Curexa provides mail-order pharmacy services and has relied on CODI's Outsource Center since 2020 to construct boxes for their orders. Thousands of various boxes are constructed each week, providing valuable work opportunities for CODI consumers.
• Nicholas & PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNicholas and Partners have partnered with CODI for over a decade using direct mail services. CODI consumers collate, stuff, seal, and label mailings for their customers. Nick Valinote has provided regular work and was honored as a Champion for a Cause.
• Cheerful GiverscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEach day, CODI consumers wick candles produced by Cheerful Givers. This community partnership empowers individuals with special needs to earn a paycheck and build a sense of pride and purpose.
• Craig Test BoringminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCraig Test Boring in Mays Landing has utilized CODI's Outsource Center for many years. Consumers screw lids on soil sample jars, with over 11,000 jars and lids processed at a time.
• ACCSES NJcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACCSES NJ is a statewide nonprofit providing leadership and support to members serving persons with disabilities. As the state's Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA), ACCSES facilitates distribution of commodities and services for government. Through set-aside contracts, 51 individuals earned $1,128,862.04 in FY2023.
• New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNJAMHAA provides advocacy and legislative support for mental health and addiction agencies since 1951. Through this partnership, CODI's group homes, supportive housing, and community support services provide strategies and tools for individuals to lead fulfilling lives in the community.
• Stockton UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStockton University partnership affords CODI opportunities to collaborate with faculty and staff, engage student interns, and have students complete service-learning projects. Each school year, CODI hosts approximately 10 students. Level 1 students supervise consumer groups one day per week for 5 weeks; Level 2 students work individually for 12 weeks.
• Friends of Jean Webster (Food Pantry)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFOJW serves approximately 3,000 people per month in Atlantic City, NJ. CODI staff and 3-5 consumers work at the pantry Tuesday-Thursday weekly, unloading and boxing food, distributing food boxes, and performing intake duties. CODI's President/CEO serves as Board President of FOJW.
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFive days per week, CODI prepares approximately 20 healthy lunches for children and families in partnership with CHOP. Meals are delivered to CHOP's Egg Harbor Township satellite facility.
• Golden Nugget Casino Atlantic CitycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGolden Nugget Casino hosts CODI's annual Christmas party for consumers, providing food and a festive atmosphere. CODI also provides mobile car wash services at the casino location.
• Central United Methodist Church (Linwood, NJ)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCentral UMC members volunteer on the second Tuesday and fourth Wednesday of each month, helping prepare meals for CODI consumers. On Wednesdays in the first and third weeks, volunteers assist with vocational skills at the Outsource Center.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Goodwill Industries of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey: Operates a virtually identical dual-mission model combining vocational training, supported employment, and contract services (shredding, retail, janitorial) for individuals with disabilities. Comparable in geographic scope and beneficiary segments to CODI.
• Easterseals New Jersey: Provides vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, housing, and community-based services for individuals with disabilities across New Jersey. Direct competition for the same DVRS/DDD/DMHAS-funded contracts.
• The Arc of New Jersey: Statewide disability advocacy and service provider offering residential, employment, and case management services funded through DDD and similar state sources. Directly comparable in population served and funding model.
• Community Options, Inc. Operates residential, vocational, and supported employment programs for individuals with developmental disabilities across New Jersey, with revenue from DDD and similar state contracts. Directly comparable service portfolio.
• Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) of MetroWest NJ: Provides vocational training, job placement, and workforce development services for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Overlaps with CODI's Supported Employment and ATS programs.

Broad incumbents

• YAI (Young Adult Institute): Large multi-state disability services nonprofit offering residential, employment, day habilitation, and clinical services. Operates on a much larger scale but competes for the same state funding streams and serves the same population.
• Volunteers of America (VOA) Delaware Valley: National social services nonprofit providing behavioral health, housing, and disability services in the Delaware Valley region. Comparable in supportive housing and mental health community support services.

Regional players

• Mercer County Community College - Project PRIDE: New Jersey-based vocational rehabilitation program serving individuals with disabilities through education and employment services. Comparable service model but operates in a different NJ county.
• Sunrise Opportunities, Inc. Provides vocational training, supported employment, and day services for individuals with disabilities, with a similar small-scale outsource/contract services model. Operates in a different state, useful for cross-regional comparison.

Emerging players

• Shred-it (Stericycle): Commercial document shredding provider that competes directly with CODI's shredding service line. While for-profit, it benchmarks the competitive pricing and service quality CODI must match in its Outsource Center operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CODI.Business.Services
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2463801
• Instagraminstagram.com/codi_of_new.jersey/?hl=en
• Xx.com/CODI19700906

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Career Opportunity Development