_ "It is hard to be self-sufficient without a place to sleep, a
place to dream about your future, what you want to accomplish
tomorrow." Djimon Hounsou, Actor
WHAT WE DO
OPPORTUNITIES-PA aims to enable homeless youth ages 18-25 to successfully transition from adolescence to adulthood. While ensuring students have stable housing, OPPORTUNITIES-PA prepares youth to be self-sufficient, independent adults through four guiding principles: EDUCATE, EQUIP, EMPOWER, ENCOURAGE.
OPPORTUNITIES-PA has two programs: Project Connection and the Self-Sufficiency program. Students enter through Project Connection and once they have completed all phases they move onto the Self-Sufficiency program.
OPPORTUNITIES-PA has two programs: Project Connection and the Self-Sufficiency program. Students enter through Project Connection and once they have completed all phases they move onto the Self-Sufficiency program.
SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAMThe Self-Sufficiency Program is OPPORTUNITIES-PA cornerstone program. We believe that stable housing is the first step towards self-sufficiency. Students that successfully graduate from Project Connection enter the Self Sufficiency program and all students receive assistance securing stable housing. Based on need, students in the Self-Sufficiency Program receive a rent stipend to cover their first month rent and deposit or OPPORTUNITIES-PA provides them low income housing.
Once in stable housing, mentoring and life coaching continues to ensure students are educated, equipped, empowered, and encouraged to achieve their personal and professional goals. EDUCATE: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?OPPORTUNITIES-PA students participate in career mapping and skill assessment activities to determine their career goals. We strongly believe education is critical to achieving self-sufficiency. As such, students are required to be enrolled in an educational program while participating in the Self-Sufficiency Program.
EQUIP: DO YOU KNOW HOW TO ACHIEVE IT?
Now that the students know what they want to do, OPPORTUNITIES-PA equips them to set and reach educational and professional goals. OPPORTUNITIES-PA staff provide tutoring, workshop series, GED training, as well as SAT and college preparatory classes, that puts students on the path to achieving their career aspirations.
EMPOWER: INDEPENDENCE!Through life skills development, students are empowered to become independent. OPPORTUNITIES-PA helps students find employment while coaching them in life skills that incorporate everything from how to wash clothes to how to cook. Most importantly, student are taught how to balance a check book and the principles of saving. Establishing a savings goal and contributing to a savings account is a program requirement.
Having both mentally and physically healthy students is very important to us. We work one-on-one with every student to secure access to health care. A drug and alcohol program is also available for students as needed. ENCOURAGE: STRIVE TO ACHIEVE!
OPPORTUNITIES-PA strives for its students to not just survive, but thrive. Students receive encouragement from mentors to overcome life’s challenges. Our mentors are carefully paired with residents who desire to take similar career paths and have skills that may be drawn upon such as public speaking and power networking.
Once students have finished the life skills curriculum and met their savings goal, they then graduate from the program. We believe students finish our program as self-sufficient, independent adults. PROGRAM GOALSWe plan to achieve the following goal through the Self-Sufficiency Program:
|
PROJECT CONNECTIONProject Connection is the gateway to the Self-Sufficiency program. OPPORTUNITIES-PA partners with local shelters and other nonprofit organizations to identify individuals, who could benefit from mentoring, career counseling and intensive one-on-one coaching.
MENTORINGTo engage residents at shelters, OPPORTUNITIES-PA mentors them through “Speed Mentoring.” In a two hour session, similar to speed dating, professionals interact with residents at a shelter. Residents have the opportunity to probe the professionals on everything from earning potential to education/training requirements of their profession. “Speed Mentoring” exposes residents a variety of professionals and career paths allowing students to dream bigger.
The Mentoring Phase of Project Connection is used to identify candidates for OPPORTUNITIES-PA Self-Sufficiency Program. Prime candidates are ages 18-25 living in an overcrowded living situation, residing at a shelter, aging out of the foster care system, or facing eviction. Candidates are screened to assess their motivation, potential for scholastic achievement, and professional goals. LIFE COACHINGShelter residents selected to participate in the Self-Sufficiency program are first provided one-on-one coaching from a Life Coach. Coaches provide guidance on creating an Individual Development Plan (IDP) to help students define their career goals. Additionally, Coaches assist students in identifying resources to meet immediate needs, setting short- and long-term educational goals, and life skills training.
PROGRAM GOALSWe plan to achieve the following goals through Project Connection:
|