We are happy to announce we will be pivoting our traditional gala to an exciting virtual experience!

What does that mean? You can Celebrate 20 Years of Roaring Success from the comfort of your own home. We will incorporate an online auction, a paddle raise, and some of your favorite annual Imagine Gala components.

Read more: The Gala Goes Virtual

Message from Alissa Friedman, President and CEO:

I send you my best wishes during this medical and economic crisis. We surveyed recent graduates of our employment programs this week, and the responses broke my heart. More than half were struggling. Many had lost hours or been laid off entirely. Some were at risk of losing their housing. Others were concerned about the health of vulnerable loved ones.

Read more: Opportunity Junction’s Role in Addressing the COVID-19 Crisis

Shirley Marshall: "OJ gave me the confidence to say, ‘I can do this.’"

Shirley Marshall was 23 years old when she first heard about Opportunity Junction. Like many young adults today, Shirley finished high school adrift, disillusioned, and unsure about the right next steps for her.

"I was a good student through elementary and middle school,” Shirley shares, “but things changed when I started high school. I ended up graduating from a continuation school a year late. Shirley continues, “I felt like I was drifting, doing only the bare minimum, and waiting to get out of the system. When I graduated, I just stayed home. For three years, I lived in my house in a state of depression. I felt like I had no skills and no plan. That time just blurs together and every minute of it was wasted." One day, Shirley decided it was time for something different.

Read more: March 2020 Featured Alumni: Shirley Marshall

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

NRG Energy, Inc.: NRG Energy, Inc. renewed its support for Bay Point and Pittsburg residents participating in our Administrative Careers Training Program. NRG operates the Marsh Landing Generating Station near Antioch; their positiveNRG program strengthens communities by investing in the places where they do business.

Read more: New Grants

Opportunity Junction is offering no cost income tax preparation in our Antioch office. Community members can sign up on our website for Friday evening or Saturday morning sessions between now and April 11th, 2020. Opportunity Junction’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)-certified team will walk you through the process to file your State and Federal income tax returns online.

Read more: Complete your Taxes FOR FREE: We Can Help!

Please join us in celebrating 20 years of roaring success at the 2020 Imagine Gala!

The funds raised from this annual event allow Opportunity Junction to fight poverty and build a stronger community by helping low income Contra Costa residents gain the skills and confidence to get and keep jobs that allow them to support themselves and their families.

Read more: Get Your Tickets for the 2020 Gala

Brianna Robinson, Opportunity Junction’s Vice President of Programs, has been selected to participate in the inaugural National Skills Coalition (NSC) California Advocacy and Policy Academy (CAPA) cohort.

CAPA is the first academy in the state focused on providing a platform for community-based organizational leaders to engage in state-level workforce development policy discussions.

Read more: VP of Programs Brianna Robinson Selected for National Skills Coalition Cohort

Four or five years ago, Opportunity Junction applied to become a polling place. We thought it would have the dual benefits of making voting easier for our participants and of introducing Opportunity Junction to the local community.

We just found out that we will be a polling place for the March 3rd primary!

Read more: Vote at Opportunity Junction: We’re a Polling Place!

Friends, family, staff, and volunteers all celebrated the accomplishments of Class 60 of the Administrative Careers Training Program Friday, January 24, 2020. The graduation ceremony was held at the historic El Campanil Theater in Antioch and was sponsored by the Antioch Community Foundation.

City of Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts served as our special guest speaker at the graduation ceremony.

Read more: Congratulations to our Administrative Careers Training program graduates!

Nadya, Maro'Jene, and Alana: Three alumni continue their careers with us

With different roads all leading back to OJ, administrative training alumni Nadya Poveda, Maro'Jene Alexander, and Alana Chisholm are sharing their expertise, experience, and hearts as staff members.

Read more: January 2020 Featured Alumni