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 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.
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.
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.
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.