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Empowering Youth To Succeed in education, employment, and life

START YOUR JOURNEY HERE

The OPP path to success is through Personal Development, Academic Achievement, and Workforce Readiness.

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YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Youth are paired with a Youth Development Specialist (YDS). Together, they identify their goals and create an individualized success plan.

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Academic Achievement

Offering students support in their educational journey through student-centered, project-based learning and post-secondary opportunities. 

personal-development

Workforce Readiness

Youth learn how to get and keep a job through service-learning projects, internships, and job placement.

SUPPORT OPP

Help us continue our mission of empowering youth to succeed

OPP serves over 1,000 young people in the Greater Hartford, CT area giving them the opportunity to discover the great futures they deserve!

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Over the past few years, I’ve learned a lot at OPP. I learned the value of time and how to be punctual. I’ve learned a lot about myself and that I’m a hands on learner. Doing lawn care and snow removal with the Youth Service Corps, I learned how to use a snow blower and how to operate different equipment. Now, because I learned that skill, I help out at home. It’s given me confidence. I know that I am reliable and hardworking. I take pride in my job and honestly, it’s fun. I love working with OPP. I tell all of my friends about OPP. It’s the best place to be!

Najay

OPP ON INSTAGRAM

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Oct 12

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This Indigenous Peoples' Day, we honor the resilience, heritage, and contributions of Indigenous peoples whose knowledge, traditions, and leadership continue to shape our communities. May we take time to learn, reflect, and celebrate the diversity that strengthens us all. #IndigenousPeoplesDay #Equity #Community #YouthDevelopment #OPPStrong

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Oct 11

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🚨 It's officially here! 🚨 The OPP x Bear's Smokehouse fundraiser starts TOMORROW! From October 12-18, enjoy your favorite BBQ while supporting opportunities for Connecticut youth. ❤️ 📍 Participating locations: • Windsor • Hartford • New Haven • South Windsor 🏷️ Ordering online for pickup? Use promo code OPP 💛 20% of event sales will be donated to OPP.* Come hungry. Leave knowing you've made a difference. *Excludes tax, gift cards, catering, and merchandise.

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Sep 28

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Growth rarely happens all at once. More often, it happens through a series of moments. A challenge that seemed intimidating. A responsibility that felt unfamiliar. A new opportunity. A small success. Then another. And another. Over time, uncertainty starts to fade. The things that once felt impossible begin to feel achievable. Young people develop new skills, take on greater responsibilities, and begin to recognize strengths they never knew they possessed. Confidence isn't the absence of fear or uncertainty. It's the belief that you can keep moving forward despite them. For the past 10 years, HYSC has created opportunities for young people to learn, grow, lead, and discover what they're capable of accomplishing. Because one of the most powerful transformations a young person can experience is learning to believe in themselves. #HYSC10Years #10YearsOfImpact #YouthLeadership #HartfordCT #CommunityBuiltTogether

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Sep 23

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Meet Rashani Swaby, OPP's Board Chair and a passionate advocate for helping young people realize their full potential. A Hartford native, Rashani is a human resources leader with more than 16 years of experience at RTX, where she currently serves as Director of Employee Experience & Action Planning. Throughout her career, she has focused on creating workplace cultures where people feel connected, supported, and empowered to thrive, bringing together strategy, employee voice, and organizational change to drive meaningful impact. Rashani's connection to OPP is deeply personal. Having grown up in the Hartford community, she is committed to ensuring that young people have access to the opportunities, support, and experiences they need to build successful futures. As Board Chair, she is honored to help advance OPP's mission and work alongside staff, board members, and community partners to build upon the organization's strong legacy and expand its impact for the next generation. She holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Trinity College and an MBA from Florida Institute of Technology, and brings thoughtful leadership, community commitment, and a deep belief in the potential of Hartford's youth to her role. Outside of work and board service, Rashani is a wife and proud mom of two boys who enjoys spending time with family, creating lasting memories, and celebrating the people she loves. And because every OPP Board Spotlight needs a pie answer... 🥧 her mom's sweet potato pie wins every time. No competition. #BoardSpotlight #OurPieceOfThePie #OPP #BoardChair #Leadership

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Sep 21

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🕊️ Peace begins with understanding, grows through compassion, and thrives when we come together. On this International Day of Peace, let's commit to building stronger, kinder, and more inclusive communities for all. #InternationalDayOfPeace #PeaceDay #TogetherForPeace

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Sep 18

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No one succeeds alone. Behind so many stories of growth are the people who listened, encouraged, challenged, and continued to show up. A trusted adult. A supervisor. A coach. A staff member. A mentor. For 10 years, relationships have been at the heart of HYSC's impact because transformation happens when young people know someone believes in them. Sometimes support is what makes everything else possible. #HYSC10Years #10YearsOfImpact #MentorshipMatters #YouthDevelopment #CommunityBuiltTogether

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Name

Kimberly williams-rivera

Senior Director of Management Information Systems & Performance

ext. 7348

Kimberly Williams-Rivera is a quality assurance professional with over 30 years of experience working for nonprofits in the Greater Hartford area. She is passionate about helping organizations build strong data infrastructures and develop high performance qualities to improve the impact of their work. Kimberly joined OPP 18 years ago as their Director of Quality Assurance and was responsible for implementing its centralized case management system, which today has grown into a data architecture housing many other systems with interoperability.  

Currently in the role of Senior Director, Management Information Systems and Org Performance she supervises a Data Analyst, Performance Management Specialist, and oversees the IT vendor services and management of all external evaluation processes. 

A sociologist at heart, Kimberly has a bachelor’s degree from University of Connecticut and has continued her personal development in research, evaluation, theory, and technology through trainings at Brandeis University. She also attained a gold level System Administration Certificate with Social Solutions, ETO where she was the recipient of their UNITE Award in 2016. Kimberly has served as a member of the Governor’s Cabinet on Nonprofit Health and Human Services – Data/Technology Subcommittee under Dannel Molloy’s administration in the State of Connecticut. 

Girard Dawes

Senior Director of Youth Development

ext. 7359

A life-long resident of Hartford, Girard has committed over 20 years of his career to supporting youth through his work at Our Piece of the Pie (OPP).

Girard started his social services career at Head Start, where he discovered his passion for assisting youth to achieve their goals. In 2000, he joined OPP as a Youth Development Specialist. Since then, Girard has been a guiding force for staff and youth as he has served in numerous leadership roles. He has been key to expanding OPP’s reach in the community. As the Senior Director of Youth Engagement, Girard directs our youth recruitment efforts and oversees our alternative high school program, OPPortunity Academy.

Girard’s commitment to serving the Hartford community is an inspiration to the staff and youth he mentors. He earned a degree in criminal justice from Manchester Community College and a degree in human services from Springfield College.

Brittany Petrucci

Senior Director of Development 

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Brittany Petrucci joined Our Piece of the Pie (OPP) as Director of Development in March 2026. She is a nonprofit leader with a strong track record in fundraising, strategic growth, and building programs that expand access to opportunity for young people and communities.

Brittany brings extensive experience leading multi-department initiatives, managing complex budgets, and strengthening organizational infrastructure to drive measurable impact. Throughout her career, she has worked at the intersection of youth development, community safety, and systems change, supporting individuals and families navigating barriers related to violence, instability, and inequity. Her work is grounded in trauma-informed, equity-centered practices and informed by research on long-term outcomes related to youth adversity.

In her role at OPP, Brittany leads the organization’s development strategy, advancing efforts to increase philanthropic support, deepen donor and community engagement, and elevate OPP’s visibility. She is passionate about building meaningful partnerships that mobilize resources, close opportunity gaps, and ensure young people have the support and pathways needed to thrive.

Brittany earned her Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Central Connecticut State University and her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Forensic Psychology from the University of New Haven, along with a minor in Psychology and a Certificate in Victim Services Administration.

Patricia Moro

Chief Financial Officer
ext. 7320

Patricia Moro is the Chief Financial Officer of Our Piece of the Pie®, Inc. (OPP).  Before joining the team at OPP in May of 2021, Pat was the VP of Finance for Fair Haven Community Health Clinic (a federally qualified health center) in New Haven, CT.  She began at Fair Haven after serving as the CFO of Community Health Center of CT, the primary care organization for the CT federally qualified health centers located in Wethersfield, CT.  For many years prior, Pat was the president and CEO of various CT long term care nursing homes.

As the Chief Financial Officer of OPP, her responsibilities include oversight for the fiscal aspects of the organization and day to day management and direct supervision of fiscal department.  Pat brings decades of fiscal and management experience to OPP and is dedicated to the support the advancement of our youth.

Pat holds an Associates of Science in Business Administration from Middlesex Community College as well as a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from Albertus Magnus College.

Chanda Robinson

Chief Operating Officer

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Hailing from Hartford, Chanda has dedicated over 20 years of her career to serving her community through her work at Our Piece of the Pie (OPP). Starting as a workforce development specialist, Chanda’s commitment and drive propelled her into increasingly progressive roles within OPP. Throughout her tenure, she has gained invaluable expertise in program operations, specifically in youth and workforce development. With her extensive knowledge and hands-on experience, Chanda has played a pivotal role in creating and implementing effective programs that support the growth and development of youth and staff alike.
Chanda’s dedication to organizational capacity building has been instrumental in propelling OPP’s success. Her strategic thinking, resourcefulness, and strong leadership skills have contributed to fostering a dynamic and impactful work environment. Learning and personal development is a priority for Chanda, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in human services.

Hector Rivera

President & Chief Executive Officer
ext. 7343

Hector has more than 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and as a life resident of the Hartford community provides a wealth of experience including Youth Development, Workforce Readiness, Educational Excellence, leadership, training, and organizational development. Hector has been with Our Piece of the Pie® (OPP) for over 20 years. Hector was initially hired as a Youth Development Specialist (case manager) but his drive and passion quickly propelled him into multiple leadership roles. Professionally, Hector proves time and again his flexibility in responding to changing conditions wearing many hats in the efforts to meet and exceed the needs of young people. 

He has earned a bachelor degree in Human Services from Springfield College and Master degrees in both Management and Business Administration both from Albertus Magnus College. Hector has spent his entire professional life as an advocate for young people. Hector’s personal and professional goals are all based on helping others (particularly young adults) achieve their dreams and aspirations in order to become successful and contributing citizens.