Donna Cathey - Director of Experiential Learning, OPP® Transformation Through Legacy Building
Over the past six years, I have had the privilege of watching youth at Our Piece of the Pie (OPP) accomplish challenging goals, gain meaningful employment, and attend institutions of higher education. At the core, youth participants improved their perception of self-worth and learned the importance of being thriving members of the Hartford community. This was not always an easy task. OPP is in the business of changing lives through shifting mind sets and value systems.
Listening to Youth
Many organizations have mission statements, but OPP’ is one that is alive and a part of discussions, vision planning, and programs ideas on a daily basis. To my knowledge, which was confirmed by the Mayor at the naming ceremony, OPP is the only organization in Hartford to place accountability and respond to “what young people really need to be successful.” The term self-sufficiency has lingered throughout not-for-profit agencies for years, but they have often lacked multi-dimensional programming to get youth to lasting outcomes. Instead of continuing on this path OPP paused, to measure program impact, hear from our youth and parents, and ask the hard question: What will it take to get young people mobilized towards stronger outcomes? We then took action!
We are putting the cool back into dreaming, vision planning, and goal setting for young people. I want to ask youth again “what do you want to be when you grow up?
Donna Cathey, Director of Experiential Learning, OPP
High Expectations
In October 2005, the bar was raised and our expectations for both educational and employment outcomes would never be the same. The days of hearing these goals are unachievable for Hartford youth and this population is only interested in earning a stipend, from staff, has positively shifted to examining root causes that trigger educational deficiency and unemployment. Members of the team are asking why and how, and swiftly moving to collective solutions, where there is sweat equity and investment from both the youth and staff.
We learned that we can not do it for the youth, but we can lessen load that has impeded success through education and resource navigation. What amazes and inspires me each day is how dedicated and committed OPP staff members are to accomplishing these goals. A vision without a diversified team willing to make the intangibles, such as youth’s dream and shape it into reality, would not happen without the guidance and support of each OPP team member.
Legacy
OPP is bringing back dreaming to Hartford, and providing a forum for youth to have a voice and to be heard. OPP hears the needs of the youth and works diligently to navigate a path towards goal attainment. We are putting the cool back into dreaming, vision planning, or goal setting for young people. I want to ask youth again “What do you want to be when you grow up?” But more importantly, I want youth to believe they can and will reach their goals and OPP will provide the concentrate steps along the way.
OPP’s legacy is about providing and preparing youth with the proper supports, services, and opportunities to ensure success. It’s about being risk takers, speaking our truth by really placing youth first, and putting in the tireless effort needed to help Hartford youth become successful adults. Continue on…
