START YOUR JOURNEY HERE
The OPP path to success is through Personal Development, Academic Achievement, and Workforce Readiness.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Youth are paired with a Youth Development Specialist (YDS). Together, they identify their goals and create an individualized success plan.
Academic Achievement
Offering students support in their educational journey through student-centered, project-based learning and post-secondary opportunities.
Workforce Readiness
Youth learn how to get and keep a job through service-learning projects, internships, and job placement.
SUPPORT OPP
Help us continue our mission of empowering youth to succeed
OPP serves over 1,000 young people in the Greater Hartford, CT area giving them the opportunity to discover the great futures they deserve!
Make a life changing gift today!
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!
IMPACT of OPP in FY23
July 2022 - June 2023
Received in
youth wages/stipends for work experiences
personal goals completed by 418 youth
OPP ON INSTAGRAM
We are hiring! Click the link in our bio to apply now.
We are happy to recognize M&T Bank @mandt_bank as a long-time supporter of OPP youth.
They are committed to being a part of the communities they serve. Through their charitable foundation, M&T Bank establishes meaningful partnerships with organizations like OPP. M&T Bank’s dedication to meeting local needs helps to create equitable change. M&T Bank staff engaged with our youth in the Digital DividEnd program to learn first-hand about the young people’s service-learning and how youth give back to the community.
Join us on November 7th to celebrate our honorees and youth! Click the link in our bio for tickets.
We are excited to honor Warren Hardy as a key partner of OPP.
He is a dedicated youth development professional and street mediator. Born and raised in Hartford, he gained street knowledge in the 90s from within one of Hartford’s notorious gangs, “20 Love.” Upon returning from a 12-year prison sentence for racketeering and gang affiliation in 2000, Warren changed his life and mentality from a negative to a positive. He has committed the rest of his life to spreading a message of empowerment and ending community violence. Warren educates young men about the dangers of gang activity and moving from Victim to Victory. He has served as a youth outreach intervention specialist and led a team of first responders to address gang violence crises in Hartford and surrounding areas. Warren is the founder and CEO of H.Y.P.E. (Helping Young People Evolve) and continues to spread his knowledge with a vengeance for peace.
Join us on November 7th to celebrate our honorees and youth! Click the link in our bio for tickets.
Yesterday U.S. Representative @repjohnblarson announced a $650,000 federal investment to support the Hispanic Federation`s culturally responsive financial education initiative in Connecticut’s first Congressional District. Our Piece of the Pie is honored to receive a portion of this investment to support our financial literacy program.
“So many on our young Hispanic people in Hartford do not understand money, the banking system, the finances, and I know that firsthand,” said OPP`s Director of Finance Amilcar Hernandez.
Click the link in our bio to read more.
Today Governor Ned Lamont, Senior Advisor Thea Montañez, and Mayor Arulampalam visited OPP to talk directly with our Youth Service Corps members to learn about the impact of HYSC on their lives and the community. It was powerful for our youth to share their experience.
The visit was influenced by this morning’s release of the @ccm_ct disconnected youth report “Young People First: A Bold Plan to Address Connecticut’s Statewide Crisis”, where one of the recommendations in the report is to replicate the Youth Service Corps model in other cities and towns across Connecticut. It was powerful for our youth to share their experiences.
The report can be viewed at the link in our bio.
Today young people shared their voices at the @ccm_ct press conference launching Young People First - A Bold Plan to Address Connecticut`s Statewide Crisis.
OPP strongly encourages the adoption and implementation of the 119K Commission’s Young People First plan to address Connecticut’s Statewide crisis.
The Plan includes the following recommendations as strategic pillars to address the crisis:
• Coordinate supports for youth at all levels of the system
• Create stronger conditions for youth success within and beyond school
• Increase capacity in the system, and
• Build and sustain coalitions
The tactics and strategies laid out in the recommendations address policy, funding, education, workforce, and the social sector. This focused effort across multiple systems will make an impact. Click the link in our bio to view the report.
We are pleased to honor Carl Hardrick as a key partner of OPP.
Carl Hardrick, known to many as Brother Carl, was born and raised in Hartford. Since the 1960s, Carl has served as a youth development leader, gang intervention specialist, and community activist, known for helping youths to stay away from gangs and providing them with life-changing alternatives. Carl was the founder and executive director of the Hartford Youth Peace Initiative and has served on numerous boards as he works to improve lives. His work led to the creation of the Brother Carl Institute for Violence Prevention. Carl shares "I believe in meeting young people and families where they are without judgment and bringing them forward."
Join us on November 7th to celebrate our honorees and youth! Click the link in our bio for tickets.
Thank you to @hfdathletic and @libertybankct for honoring OPP at this year’s Match for a Cause. The OPP community is cheering on Hartford Athletic at their match tonight! OPP’s President and CEO Hector Rivera @oppsceo and OPP’s Board Vice Chair Carl Harding accepted the Match for a Cause check from Liberty Bank. It’s not too late to get your own custom OPP jersey! Click the link in our bio to get yours today.
"Our Piece of the Pie is extremely honored to have been chosen as this year`s Match For A Cause Beneficiary," said Hector Rivera, President and CEO of Our Piece of the Pie. "We appreciate the continued support of Liberty Bank and are excited to foster a new relationship with Hartford Athletic. Our youth and staff are incredibly excited to attend the event and experience this fun opportunity!"
Click the link in our bio to learn more about @hfdathletic and @libertybankct Match for a Cause. Join us at the game TOMORROW to celebrate!
We are excited to honor Julie Watson as a key partner of OPP! As the Compliance & Accountability Administrator for @capitalworkforcepartners (CWP), Julie oversees contracts with OPP and similar organizations that provide services to youth and adults seeking career pathways that lead to self-sufficiency and growth. Prior to leading CWP’s compliance department, Julie served in numerous roles in program operations, often supporting youth employment programs. She joined CWP in 2003 and believes that her own career pathway led to her ultimate destination serving the North Central region and its residents.
Join us on November 7th to celebrate our honorees and youth! Click the link in our bio for tickets.
Thank you to CICD Puerto Rican Parade, Inc. Greater Hartford for hosting an amazing parade today! Our staff and youth enjoyed representing OPP on our float and handing out candy to attendees. Special shout out to OPP’s President and CEO Hector Rivera @oppsceo and OPP Board Member Noel Casiano @drnoelcasiano who served as honorees for this year’s parade. And thank you Angel of Edgewood @angelofedgewood for joining our float!
Tickets are available now for OPP`s 2024 Champions of Youth! Join us as we celebrate OPP youth success, recognize key supporters of OPP services, and honor community leaders. Click the link in our bio to sign up today!
