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The OPP path to success is through Personal Development, Academic Achievement, and Workforce Readiness.

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OPP serves over 1,000 young people in the Greater Hartford, CT area giving them the opportunity to discover the great futures they deserve!

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Over the past few years, I’ve learned a lot at OPP. I learned the value of time and how to be punctual. I’ve learned a lot about myself and that I’m a hands on learner. Doing lawn care and snow removal with the Youth Service Corps, I learned how to use a snow blower and how to operate different equipment. Now, because I learned that skill, I help out at home. It’s given me confidence. I know that I am reliable and hardworking. I take pride in my job and honestly, it’s fun. I love working with OPP. I tell all of my friends about OPP. It’s the best place to be!

OUR IMPACT

In One Year...

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Goals Successfully Completed
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youth completed Career Competency Development Training
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youth made progress toward their educational goals

OPP ON INSTAGRAM

Are you ready to expand your professional and financial knowledge? Attend OPP`s Annual Career & Bank Fair! Jumpstart your career on Thursday 3/28 from 1-5 PM at Arroyo Center @ Pope Park. ...

Celebrating Pi Day at Opportunity Academy (OA)! Our OA youth and staff got Their Piece of the Pie today 🥧 ...

Happy Pi Day! Like Pi, our youth’s goals are infinite. As they achieve their goals, the possibilities are endless. ...

OPP has financial education specialists. Of course they’re going to share their financial knowledge with you! To support OPP’s Financial Capabilities program, donate to our Business Casual Clothing Drive from now until March 25th. We are accepting gently used or new business casual clothing for our youth to wear at interviews and our annual bank and career fair. Contact Lillian.bertram@opp.org or 860-761-7358 with any questions. ...

Introducing Veronica Maldonado, OPP`s Director of Organizational Development and Capacity

Veronica was one of the first Youth Development Specialists for Youth Service Corps. She has continued to grow professionally, working within nonprofit and academic settings. We are pleased to welcome Veronica back as the Director of Organizational Development and Capacity. With MS degrees in both Psychology and Human Services, Organizational Management, and Leadership, Veronica brings a solid practical and theoretical foundation to her new role.

Visit the LinkTree in our bio and click OPP Website -> About -> Meet the Team to learn more about Veronica!
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ATTENTION OPP YOUTH AND ALUMNI! The Youth Leadership Council application deadline has been extended to next Friday 3/15. Click the LinkTree in our bio to apply today! Contact Deion Kelly Deion.kelly@opp.org with any questions or concerns. ...

Happy International Women`s Day! We are grateful to have strong and motivated women as a part of OPP`s youth, staff, and board. Thank you to our OPP women for inspiring us every day! ...

Introducing Girard Dawes, OPP`s Senior Director of Youth Engagement

Girard has been a guiding force for staff and youth as he has served in numerous leadership roles. He has been key to expanding OPP’s reach in the community. His passion for assisting youth to achieve their goals inspires those he serves. As the new Senior Director of Youth Engagement, Girard will continue to direct our youth recruitment efforts and will also expand his scope of work to include oversight of our alternative high school program, OPPortunity Academy.

Visit the LinkTree in our bio and click OPP Website -> About -> Meet the Team to learn more about Girard!
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Today @ccm_ct announced the 119K Commission on At-Risk and Disconnected Youth. This group of local leaders and elected officials will address the challenges revealed in the October 2023 report "Connecticut`s Unspoken Crisis" by Dalio Education and @bcg .

OPP supports the 119K Commission`s plans to address the ongoing crisis of disconnected youth in CT. We are eager to collaborate with the commission and community partners to uplift our youth.

Thank you to Dalio Education and @bcg for bringing awareness to CT`s disconnected youth. We are grateful to the @ccm_ct 119K Commission for taking action to reconnect these youth with education and career opportunities.
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Introducing Chanda Robinson, OPP`s Interim COO

Chanda has played a pivotal role in creating and implementing effective programs that support the growth and development of youth and staff alike. After her long service leading our workforce services, she moved into developing OPP’s Department of Organizational Capacity. Her dedication to the agency has been instrumental in propelling OPP’s success. We are pleased to have Chanda step into the role of Interim Chief Operating Officer, where she will build upon her work within OPP.

Visit the LinkTree in our bio and click OPP Website -> About -> Meet the Team to learn more about Chanda!
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Name

Kim Johnson

Senior Director of Development and Strategic Initiatives

ext. 7347

Kim Johnson joined Our Piece of the Pie (OPP) in January 2024. She has spent her career in the nonprofit sector. Kim brings over 35 years of experience in fund development, youth development, capacity building, and volunteer management. Most recently, Kim served as Chief Youth Development Officer and previously as Chief Development and Marketing Officer for LifeBridge Community Services in Bridgeport. She has also worked for United Way and multiple Girl Scout Councils. All of these organizations worked to increase the capacity and resilience of both the clients and communities they served. Kim is passionate about filling the opportunity gap for youth.

In her role as Senior Director of Development and Strategic Initiatives, Kim will use her experience and skills to increase OPP’s visibility as well as financial and community resources to support and expand our mission.

Kim earned her Master of Public Administration with a nonprofit concentration from Indiana University. She received her Bachelor of Science in Leisure Studies – Program Management from University of Illinois. She completed her certificate in Fund Raising Management with the Center of Philanthropy at Indiana University.