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
Today OPP`s President and CEO Hector Rivera @oppsceo attended the annual @capitalworkforcepartners (CWP) golf tournament! We are proud to be the platinum sponsor for their tournament this year. Thank you to CWP for being a valued community partner of OPP.
Thank you NBC Connecticut for shining a light on the impact of donations on non-profits like OPP and Angel of Edgewood.
“There needs to be diverse funding streams within your non-profit. It is important to invest time in building relationships with your donors” - Hector Rivera, OPP’s President and CEO.
Click the donate button today to help us empower youth to succeed in education and employment!
@nbcconnecticut @angelofedgewood
Thank you to Senator Chris Murphy @senchrismurphy for hosting a conversation last night on disconnected youth with OPP`s President and CEO Hector Rivera @oppsceo , Dalio Education`s Co-CEO Barbara Dalio, Hartford`s Mayor Arunan Arulampalam @arunanarul, and youth from organizations across the state.
This conversation allowed youth to share what disconnected means to them and share their ideas to improve Connecticut`s education system. We are proud of OPP youth Denieke along with OPP alumni Juqavies and his mother Jeslyn for sharing their stories and the impact OPPortunity Academy has had on their lives.
To learn more, click the link in our bio to read Dalio Education`s new report Elevating the Voices of Young People. Authored by Community Science, the report shares stories from 74 young people across Connecticut who have been impacted by our state’s unspoken crisis.
According to the Dalio Education Study Connecticut’s Unspoken Crisis: Getting Young People Back On Track, 119,000 young people are at-risk or disconnected from education and/or employment.
Our Piece of the Pie is helping to address this crisis. We are focused on supporting our young people, delivering educational services, and making systemic changes in the educational system. Click the link in our bio to read our article in @northendagents latest Education Edition.
OPP is at @angelofedgewood Back to School Extravaganza at @yardgoatsbaseballofficial Dunkin Stadium today! Stop by our tables between sections 105-106 from 9-2. 🎉
Congratulations to Our Piece of the Pie’s President & CEO Hector Rivera for being recognized as a 2024 Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Day Parade Community Leader Honoree! Hector and OPP look forward to celebrating at the CICD Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Parade on September 22nd.
Congratulations to OPP Board Member Dr. Noel Casiano who will serve as CICD Puerto Rican Parade, Inc. Hartford Chapter’s Honorary Ambassador this year! We look forward to celebrating at the CICD Greater Hartford Puerto Rican Parade on September 22nd.
Yesterday State Senator Douglas McCrory @sendougmccrory visited Our Piece of the Pie! Senator McCrory took a tour of OPP with President and CEO Hector Rivera, Senior Director of Youth Engagement Girard Dawes, and Opportunity Academy Principal Tameka Grant-Mack. Thank you to Senator McCrory for taking the time to meet with OPP staff and youth to learn about the value of our programs.
Thank you Acadia Insurance for your $5,000 donation to OPP! We are honored to have connections with local organizations like Acadia Insurance who believe in our mission to empower youth to succeed in education and employment. Our youth, staff, and board are grateful for your support.
Last night Girard Dawes, OPP`s Senior Director of Youth Engagement, spoke on a panel at the 119K Commission Meeting. Girard shared how Opportunity Academy empowers disconnected youth through anchoring supports, innovative educational strategies, and future planning.
Thank you to the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities @ccm_ct 119K Commission for providing this opportunity to discuss alternative pathways to earning a high school degree.
Click link in our bio to watch the recording.
Next week OPP’s Senior Director of Youth Engagement Girard Dawes will present at 119K Commission’s meeting at Hartford City Hall. The meeting will focus on education with presentations on credit attainment, special education, CTE/pathways within high school, and broader systemic issues. Girard will share how Opportunity Academy provides youth with alternative pathways and wrap-around supports to earn a high school degree. All are invited to attend! Click the link in our bio to RSVP.
Yesterday Hartford`s Mayor Arunan Arulampalam @arunanarul launched Hartford`s Blue Ribbon Commission on Education. This group of elected leaders, advocates, and community members will develop recommendations on actionable steps to address challenges faced by Hartford Public Schools and identify opportunities for progress. OPP`s President and CEO Hector Rivera will serve as a Commission Co-Chair and OPP`s Director of Finance Amilcar Hernandez will serve as a Commission Member.
“This Commission will allow us to strategically and intentionally look at some of the district’s most glaring needs and partner with local, state and national experts to develop recommendations. Our goal is to produce an impactful outcome and opportunities in service to our students and families.”
- Hector Rivera, OPP`s President and CEO, Blue Ribbon Commission Co-Chair
Click the link in our bio to learn more.
