Opportunity Junction Will Help Residents Complete Online 2020 Census
Do you remember the last time you completed the United States Census form? Not really? It was almost ten years ago, and it wasn't online. In 2020, that changes.
Beginning in early April, all United States residents will be asked to complete the required census form by filling out a web form.
Read more: Opportunity Junction Will Help Residents Complete Online 2020 Census
Vote in Your Pajamas! We'll Show You How
Now that California has moved its primary from June to March, the deadline to register to vote is earlier, too: February 18, 2020.
Even if you are already registered to vote, you may need to re-register this year. Did you move since the last election? Would you prefer the convenient vote-by-mail ballot that gives you almost a month to complete and return?
Opportunity Junction Ranked #1 Poverty Fighting Organization in the Nation
Opportunity Junction, which served over 1,580 low-income Contra Costa residents last year, is ranked the #1
poverty-fighting nonprofit organization serving the United States by ImpactMatters. Among 1,081
nonprofits around the world, Opportunity Junction also received a five-star rating for its cost-effectiveness.
After the Impact Audit of Opportunity Junction, ImpactMatters concluded, a
donation of “$14,000 increases the earnings of a person living in poverty by $44,000.”
Read more: Opportunity Junction Ranked #1 Poverty Fighting Organization in the Nation
November 2019 Featured Alum: Frank Kolsut
From Homeless to Hopeful
It's been almost a month since Frank Kolsut was hired as a
permanent employee with Corteva Agriscience in a career he could never have envisioned for himself.
It's been nearly two years since he completed the administrative training program and took an entry level, temporary position with a company he never thought he'd work for
And it's been four years since Frank was living on the streets of San Francisco homeless, addicted, and near death from pneumonia and a dangerous blood clot.
Save the Date: December 3rd - Giving Tuesday
What is #GivingTuesday?
#GivingTuesday refers to the Tuesday after U.S. Thanksgiving in the United States. It is a movement to create an international day of charitable giving during the holiday season.
Last year we were able to serve 1,580 individuals (more than ever before) thanks to the generosity of our supporters. By donating this #GivingTuesday you #GiveOpportunity to motivated job seekers looking to change the trajectory of their lives.
New Grants
We are proud and grateful to announce the following new grants and
funding partnerships:
Anonymous Donor/Silicon Valley Community Foundation: An anonymous donor provided a $50,000 unrestricted grant to Opportunity Junction from an advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Silicon Valley Community Foundation partners with donors in their shared mission to strengthen the common good, improve quality of life and address the most challenging problems.
Our 2018-2019 Annual Report is Here
This past year, you were an important part of helping low-income
job seekers overcome barriers and gain the skills and confidence to launch a career. Altogether, we provided 1,580 with training, counseling, and job placement services.
Thank you for your generosity and partnership.
Please click the link to see our FY18-19 Annual Report for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2019. We are very proud of the work our team did this year to help the communities of East Contra Costa and beyond. We hope that in reviewing the report you will experience the pride and satisfaction that we do, knowing that together we made a difference in our community.
Thank You, Corporate Volunteers!
Within the past few weeks we have been spoiled by generous corporate
volunteers from BBVA, Chevron, and Wells Fargo. Volunteers held mock interviews with
our Administrative Careers Training program interns, helping our interns gain real-life interview experience and providing individualized feedback.
This experience is invaluable since our interns are currently interviewing as part of their job searches.
Welcome, Renee Reid!
We are pleased to welcome our newest board member, Renee Reid!
Renee Reid is a Staff UX Design Researcher at LinkedIn with over 20 years of professional experience in various roles including Project Management, Customer Experience,
Sales and User Experience.
She is also the LinkedIn Campus Lead for the Black Inclusion Group BIG (an Employee Resource group (ERG), a Boys and Girls Club mentor,
as well as a Professional Mentor with TechWomen,
an initiative of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs created by the Obama Administration.
September 2019 Featured Alum: Laura Alvarez
"My whole family is stronger and happier."
Laura Alvarez and her husband, Alvino, thought that they had set the right course for their lives together raising a family. Laura was working full-time in the mortgage industry and her husband was thriving in his construction work-and then the economic crisis hit. Laura was able to string together a couple positions with the help of staffing agencies, but by 2010, she was laid off again and supporting her family on her unemployment.
"My experience was in the fields hit hardest by the crisis, and I couldn't find a job anywhere. With two very young kids at home and childcare so expensive, we decided it was best for me to stay home with them," Laura shares.
Celebrate Success on April 25, 2020
We will be celebrating 20 Years of Roaring Success at the Opportunity Junction Imagine Gala held on Saturday April 25th 2020 at the Diablo Country Club! Roaring 20's attire is encouraged but not required.