We are proud and grateful to announce the following new grants and funding partnerships:

Keller Canyon Landfill Mitigation Fund: Opportunity Junction is proud to have been awarded a grant from the County's Keller Canyon Mitigation Fund to support Bay Point and Pittsburg residents participating in our Administrative Career Training. Supervisor Federal Glover leads the board that administers the funding to support a wide range of programs affecting quality of life for residents in the vicinity of the Keller Canyon Landfill, including public safety, youth development, and community beautification.

Read more: New Grants

Thanksgiving is around the corner. This year, our Thanksgivings may be distanced, but the Opportunity Junction family is full of gratitude and here to spread the love.

The holidays can be a stressful and trying time for families who struggle to make ends meet. This year feels especially challenging with the pandemic requiring more social distancing during a time we are used to spending together.

Read more: A Thanksgiving Distanced, But Still Full of Gratitude

Opportunity Junction's annual Holiday Appeal campaign brings in the critical funds to support our core employment programs. This year, due to the challenges of COVID-19, Contra Costa job seekers need our support more than ever before!

Thanks to Delta Scrap & Salvage, all donations made through December 31^st will be matched, up to $30,000! That means your donation will make DOUBLE the impact!

Read more: 'Tis the Season to Give Opportunity!

Amid the fluctuations in openings and closings of business due to COVID-19, Opportunity Junction has maintained services to job-seekers looking to launch a career!

Our services look a little different right now with staff working mostly remotely so we can do our part to curb the spread. However, employers are HIRING right now and are looking for candidates!

Read more: Motivated Job-Seekers Wanted!

The OJ staff team working on our Employer Toolkit racial justice initiative presented "Inclusive Hiring During a Pandemic" at the October 22nd Antioch Chamber of Commerce virtual mixer. The slide deck and accompanying toolkit are available on our website.

Read more: Staff Presents "Inclusive Hiring During a Pandemic" at Antioch Chamber

The staff at Opportunity Junction made me want to aim for the stars - so I did!

It's been a year full of changes and reinvention in the workplace. Tenisa Pelesauma, graduate of Opportunity Junction's first ever fully remote Administrative Career Training (ACT) class 62, knows that better than most!

Tenisa's first big change came when her job driving a commercial truck ended in May 2020. The money was great, but Tenisa was terribly unhappy and ready to find a new career. She knew she wanted to get into the administrative field to provide stability for her two young children and to utilize her strength in customer service and her passion for helping people. Opportunity Junction's ACT program had the training she needed with the flexibility of learning remotely.

Read more: November 2020 Featured Alum: Tenisa Pelesauma

We are proud and grateful to announce the following new grants and funding partnerships:

Antioch Community Foundation: The Antioch Community Foundation renewed its support for the Administrative Careers Training Program. This local foundation support organizations working in the following areas: youth services, economic security and health, and community services.

Read more: New Grants

On September 25^th, 13 graduates of the Administrative Careers Training Program celebrated their completion of the program in a Zoom graduation ceremony. Seventy-five people, including the graduates, family, friends, community members, Opportunity Junction staff, current trainees, and alumni, attended our celebration of their accomplishments.

Read more: Our First Fully Online Class Graduates!

Being a voter is the best way to make sure your voice is heard. Fortunately, California makes it easy! Link to California Online Voter Registration to register to vote or check your registration status. Future voters aged 16 and 17 can even pre-register!

Read more: Register Today to Be a Voter!

The pivot to online programming was forced on all of us this March. At Opportunity Junction, this meant quickly developing the infrastructure to deliver training, career counseling, and employer introductions over the Internet. We're committed to studying the outcomes of these involuntary experiments.

Read more: Meeting the Surge in Demand