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
This Giving Tuesday, we are excited to share a glimpse into the bond between our youth and staff.
Our Piece of the Pie (OPP) pairs each youth with a Youth Development Specialist (YDS). Together they create an Individualized Success Plan. This pairing provides youth with a caring adult to help them address barriers and achieve their goals.
In this video, OPP youth Javarie and Nora share how their Youth Development Specialists have motivated and suppported them to be where they are today. Youth Development Specialists Roberto and Brandice share how they embody the mission of OPP and make an impact on youth each day.
Thank you to Dalio Education and @sevenpairstudios for helping us share these stories.
Visit the link in our bio and click donate to support youth like Javarie and Nora.
Spreading Joy: 100 Thanksgiving Meals Delivered!
Last week, OPP had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with Basket Brigade to make a meaningful impact on our community. Together, we distributed 100 boxes filled with a turkey and complete Thanksgiving dinners to our youth, their families, and community members in need!
Each box was thoughtfully packed with all the essentials for a warm holiday meal. This collaboration was about more than just food—it was about spreading hope, joy, and the spirit of community during a time when it is needed most.
Thank you to Basket Brigade for their generosity and partnership in making this possible. We are grateful for the dedicated staff, youth, and volunteers who worked tirelessly to organize and distribute these meals.
Here’s to fostering community and gratitude this holiday season!
#Thanksgiving2024 #BasketBrigade #Gratitude
Giving Tuesday is TOMORROW!
No gift is too big or too small.
$50 can provide a set of scrubs to an OPP CNA student
$250 can help a young person secure a driver’s license
The OPP path to success is through Personal Development, Academic Achievement, and Workforce Readiness. Donate this #GivingTuesday to help OPP empower youth to succeed in education and employment.
Donate through our Instagram fundraiser or visit the link in our bio and click Donate to see more payment methods.
Happy Thanksgiving from Our Piece of the Pie! We are grateful for our youth, staff, board, donors, and community partners. Thank you to everyone who supported OPP this year!
Giving Tuesday is ONE WEEK away!
How does each donation impact OPP youth?
- $25 can provide an OPPortunity Academy (OA) student with lunch for one week
- $100 can provide a monthly bus pass/help with transportation for one youth
Donate to OPP this Giving Tuesday 12/3 to impact youth in Greater Hartford, CT!
Ask your company if they offer a company match! If so, donate through their system and email externalaffairs@opp.org to confirm your donation.
Donate through our Instagram fundraiser or visit the link in our bio and click Donate to see more payment methods.
OPP program staff recently completed the Connecticut Center for Nonviolence training program, which equips participants with effective tools and strategies for conflict resolution.
Through this specialized training, staff gained valuable insights into nonviolent communication, de-escalation techniques, and collaborative problem-solving. These skills are vital not only for maintaining a positive workplace environment but also for engaging with the youth and families OPP serves.
Conflict resolution is one of OPP`s five foundational pillars which Organizational Capacity focuses on. Through consistent training opportunities, OPP ensures all staff are prepared to address conflicts constructively within a diverse and dynamic workplace.
Thank you to the Connecticut Center for Nonviolence for facilitating this training!
Thank you @usahaulingrecycling for supporting OPP`s 2024 Champions of Youth! We are grateful to all the youth, staff, board, honorees, sponsors, and community members who joined the celebration.
Our Piece of the Pie (OPP) is pleased to announce our new board members Armando Jimenez and Michael Spyros. They each have extensive leadership experience that will enhance our organization.
Armando Jimenez, or Mando as he`s affectionately known, is a proud dad and native of Hartford, CT. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Entrepreneurship from the University of Connecticut. His career journey began in Washington, D.C., where he passionately applied his skills in consulting, strategy, partnerships, and talent development across a variety of fields including federal government, nonprofit, education, and technology. Mando is not just an advocate for self-care; he`s your go-to cheerleader for cultivating confidence and a dedicated supporter. With his infectious energy and genuine nature, his heart lies in inspiring leadership, providing mentorship, and helping individuals and organizations unleash their full potential.
Michael Spyros is a Strategic Benefits Consultant at Brown & Brown. He resides in Berlin, CT with his wife and 3-year-old twin daughters. Michael received his bachelor`s degree in physical education from Central Connecticut State University. He is a huge fan of watching and playing sports, especially football. In his spare time, Michael enjoys cooking and spending time with his family. Professionally, he strives to build a strong professional network and aims to be a sales leader within his organization. Michael’s strong organizational, leadership, time management, and interpersonal communication skills are all assets that will be valuable to our organization.
Welcome to OPP Armando and Michael!
What an incredible night celebrating our youth and honorees at Champions of Youth 2024! Thank you to everyone who joined us to support OPP`s mission.
Special thank you to our Champion Sponsor Dalio Education. Your unwavering support allows us to empower youth every day.
We are grateful to our youth speakers Shammia, Jalicia, and Jonathan for sharing their stories.
Congratulations to our honorees:
Sam Gray, Community Leadership Award
Milliechel Ramirez, OPP Alumni
M&T Bank, Supporter
Warren Hardy, Partner
Julie Watson, Partner
Carl Hardrick, Partner
Thank you to our sponsors:
Champion Sponsor
Dalio Education
Partner Sponsors
@mandt_bank
@angelofedgewood
@hartford_healthcare
Friend Sponsors
@capitalworkforcepartners
@libertybankct Foundation
@experienceberrydunn
@whittleseypc
@smithbrosins
@expresskitchensct Photography by @shanasureckphotography
Our silent auction is OPEN! Featuring an Italian Getaway to Tuscany, items from @nygiants , @hartford_wolfpack , @thebushnell , @treehousebrewco , and more. Click the link in our bio to BID NOW!
Tickets are still available. Click the link in our bio to join us this Thursday at Yard Goats Club!
Join us at Champions of Youth next Thursday 11/7! Register now to celebrate our youth, our honorees, and our community. Click the link in our bio to register
Thank you to our Friend Sponsors! We appreciate your support of our youth.
@capitalworkforcepartners
@libertybankct
@smithbrosins
@experienceberrydunn
@expresskitchensct
@whittleseypc
Join us at Champions of Youth in TWO WEEKS! Click the link below to register now. https://lnkd.in/eyyQ5Ypz
