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24 HARTFORD BUSINESS JOURNAL | MAY 2024 | BUSINESS PROFILES Address: 20-28 Sargeant St., Hartford, CT 06105 Phone: (860) 761-7300 Website: www.opp.org Product or Service: Youth Development Top Executive: Hector Rivera, President and CEO Year Founded: 1975 Nonprofit helps young people gain solid footing O ur Piece of the Pie, Inc. is a nonprofit with a mission to empower youth with the skills to succeed in education and employment, regardless of the barriers that may stand in their way. OPP works with Hartford-area youth ages 14 to 24, who face obstacles including disengagement from school, poverty, justice involvement, welfare system involvement and unemployment. In 2023 alone, OPP worked with more than 1,000 youth, helping more than 170 earn post- secondary credentials and/or keep a job for at least a year. At Our Piece of the Pie, young people craft goals for personal development, academic achievement and workforce readiness. Every young person creates and follows a plan that identifies the barriers they face along with the support and services they need to make their dreams real. Trained, caring, and proactive youth development specialists act as guides and mentors, providing high-touch case management. Additionally, the nonprofit's clinicians further help to build trust and provide individual counseling as needed. Workforce development specialists help youth focus on strengthening work skills, overseeing internships and developing career pathways. OPP specialists also coach youth as they enter the workforce, particularly in their crucial first year of employment, helping to remove barriers and keeping youth on track toward the future. "Getting a job is one thing. Keeping it is another," said Hector Rivera, OPP's President and CEO. But the path to success begins well before young people apply for a job. To that end, OPP operates OPPortunity Academy, a recuperative school for students who are disengaged or out of school without a diploma. The academy helps students re-engage, earn their diplomas, and connect to post-secondary and workforce opportunities. Other students access online diploma-granting programs, such as Penn Foster, or work to earn their GED. Other programs provide young people with valuable experience, such as the nonprofit's Digital DividEND initiative. Launched in 2023, the innovative program is a collaboration with Hartford HealthCare, the City of Hartford, United Way and The Hartford Youth Service Corps. The program offers job training, internships and a potential career path for young people interested in learning how to refurbish comput- ers, which are then distributed free of charge to underserved Hartford residents. Last year, 130 computers were put back into service. OPP's Hartford Youth Service Corps (HYSC) addresses the lack of employment opportu- nities for Hartford youth, in partnership since 2016 with the City of Hartford. Members of the HYSC participate in educational supports, job readiness training, goal setting and personal development workshops. OPP youth (including HYSC youth) earned $1.4 million while partici- pating in over 90,000 hours of service-learning and work experiences last year. OPP believes in "People First" and is commit- ted to prioritizing both its staff members' and youth's well-being and development. OPP University introduces new staff members to the OPP community through a week-long inter- active, engaging learning environment. Staff continue to grow professionally through ongo- ing core and enrichment sessions, increasing knowledge, tools and capacity to help youth. OPP relies on individual donors, grants and government contracts to support its work. Individual donations provide essential support to fill the funding gaps, and more are always welcome. The nonprofit's annual Champions of Youth celebration and fundraising event is seeking sponsorships. Your financial support can make a difference. For more information, go to https://opp.org/get-involved/support/ or email externalaffairs@opp.org.