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
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
Thank you to our Partner Sponsor @mandt_bank ! They are a long-time supporter of OPP youth and are committed to being a part of the communities they serve.
Today is just TWO WEEKS AWAY from Champions of Youth! Click the link in our bio to join us.
Thank you to our Partner Sponsor @hartford_healthcare ! We are proud to work with Hartford HealthCare through our Digital DividEND program, providing youth the opportunity to refurbish computers and gain IT field experience.
We are TWO WEEKS AWAY from Champions of Youth! Click the link in our bio to join us.
Thank you to our Partner Sponsor @angelofedgewood ! We are grateful for your continuous partnership including community events and serving as a summer worksite for our youth.
We are TWO WEEKS AWAY from Champions of Youth! Click the link in our bio to join us.
We are pleased to honor Sam Gray with our Champions of Youth Community Leadership Award. Sam has dedicated the past 23 years to making an impact on Hartford youth. His 33-year career with Boys and Girls Clubs demonstrates his commitment to serving young people. His recent move from CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Hartford, CT to Vice President of Field Services for the Northeast region with Boys and Girls Clubs of America allows him to share his talents on a broader scale. Thank you for your leadership Sam.
Join us IN 2 WEEKS to celebrate our honorees and youth! Click the link in our bio for tickets.
We are proud to announce the successful completion of Our Piece of the Pie’s most recent TEB Cohort! Over the course of 5 weeks, staff have been able to gain essential skills to support themselves and their youth using strategies to break free from negative cycles.
Staff Testimonials
"I found the most valuable aspect of the Explore Your Thoughts’ session to be the emphasis on self-awareness and understanding how our thought patterns shape our decisions. The strategies for identifying limiting beliefs and reframing negative thoughts were particularly useful in helping me gain clarity and make more informed choices."
"THANK YOU FOR REASSURING OUR DECISIONS IN THE WORK WITH TERMINOLOGY TO SUPPORT OUR ACTIONS!"
"I found the most valuable aspect of this training to be it gave me practical tools/insights that I can apply in relevant situations. Additionally, I appreciated the interaction, which really enhanced my understanding and engagement with the material."
We are accepting clothing donations!
We are seeking suits, dresses, and more for our youth to wear at Champions of Youth and future events. Drop off your gently-used gala attire by 11/1! Contact Megan at megan.griffin@opp.org with any questions.
Donation instructions: Buzz in at the entrance and head to the main office on the 2nd floor. Let our staff know you are here to donate gala clothing to Betty`s Closet.
We are THREE WEEKS away from Champions of Youth. Click the link in our bio to register today!
We are proud to honor Milliechel Ramirez with the OPP Alumni award. Millie participated with Our Piece of the Pie’s Pathways to Careers and was one of our first students in Manufacturing at @ctstateasnuntuck. She did her internship at Carey-Floyd manufacturing and was hired full-time following her internship. Millie thrived in Manufacturing while managing a language barrier and the added responsibilities of being a young mother. Millie was a quiet leader among her cohort, providing a strong example to the group. Millie is currently working as an engineer at Carey Manufacturing.
Join us in 3 WEEKS on 11/7 to celebrate our honorees and youth! Click the link in our bio for tickets.
