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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. 

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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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Aug 14

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Some impacts can't be measured in numbers alone. They're found in the confidence to take the next step. In opportunities that once felt out of reach. In the relationships that remind a young person they don't have to navigate life's challenges alone. Over the past 10 years, thousands of young people have found support, discovered their potential, and built pathways toward their future. Every journey begins with someone willing to invest in what's possible. That's how communities grow stronger. Together. #HYSC10Years #BuildingPathwaysForward #OPP #YouthDevelopment #CommunityImpact

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Aug 12

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Meet Jonathan Stryjek, an Underwriter with The Hartford Insurance Group and a dedicated advocate for creating opportunities for young people and families in our community. Originally from the Greater Hartford area, Jon’s connection to OPP began as an Ambassador, where he gained a firsthand understanding of our mission and the impact we make every day. That experience inspired him to deepen his involvement through board service, where he now serves on both the Development and Finance Committees. Jon is passionate about building meaningful community partnerships and helping expand OPP’s reach. His efforts have helped connect OPP with organizations like the Hartford Wolf Pack Hockey Team, creating new opportunities for engagement and support. We’re grateful for Jon’s leadership, community spirit, and commitment to helping young people build brighter futures. And his favorite pie? 🥧 A classic apple pie with vanilla ice cream! #BoardSpotlight #OurPieceOfThePie #OPP #Leadership #YouthDevelopment

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Aug 5

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We’re proud to highlight Carl Harding, OPP’s Board Vice Chair and Development Committee Chair. As Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain for Raytheon’s Advanced Products & Solutions strategic business unit, Carl brings extensive experience in corporate leadership, strategy, operations management, quality, and continuous improvement. His expertise, combined with his commitment to philanthropy and community service, helps strengthen OPP’s impact and expand our network of supporters and advocates. Carl is a passionate champion of OPP’s mission, actively sharing our work and helping create more opportunities for young people to thrive. And when it comes to pie? 🥧 Pecan pie is his favorite! #BoardSpotlight #OurPieceOfThePie #OPP #Leadership #BoardOfDirectors

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Jul 29

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Exciting news! 🌟 Please join us in welcoming Kimberly Hesnan, the newest member of the Our Piece of the Pie® Board of Directors. Kimberly is an accomplished early childhood education leader, adjunct professor at Eastern Connecticut State University, published author, and doctoral candidate in Law & Policy at Northeastern University. Her expertise spans curriculum leadership, family engagement, and social-emotional learning, with a deep commitment to creating stronger pathways and opportunities for youth and families across Connecticut. We are thrilled to have Kimberly’s passion, experience, and perspective helping advance OPP’s mission to empower young people with the confidence, purpose, and opportunities they need to succeed. And in case you’re wondering... her favorite pie is Oreo! 🥧 #BoardSpotlight #WelcomeToTheBoard #OurPieceOfThePie #OPP #YouthDevelopment

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Jul 23

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☀️ This summer, more than 500 young people are doing more than earning a paycheck—they’re building skills, gaining real-world work experience, exploring career pathways, and preparing for their future through Our Piece of the Pie’s Summer Youth Employment & Learning Program (SYELP). Throughout July and August, OPP is proud to connect and employ over 500 youth and young adults across Hartford, creating opportunities that serve as both a powerful learning experience and an economic investment in our community. Through SYELP, participants are strengthening workplace readiness skills, learning from mentors, expanding professional networks, and gaining the confidence needed to pursue education, training, and employment goals. 🤝 A Community-Wide Effort This impact would not be possible without the collective commitment of our community. Thank you to our youth for showing up and investing in their futures, our dedicated OPP team for making these opportunities possible, and our valued employer and system partners—including Capital Workforce Partners, the City of Hartford, TNTP, the U.S. Department of Justice, and more than 50 local employers—for opening doors and creating meaningful experiences for Hartford’s next generation. 🚀 Powering Hartford’s Future Beyond career exploration and skill development, this initiative is expected to generate more than $1.34 million in wages flowing directly back into Hartford’s economy over the summer. Together, we’re not just creating summer jobs—we’re building futures, strengthening our workforce, and investing in the next generation of leaders, professionals, and changemakers. 💼 Gaining experience. 🤝 Building connections. 🚀 Exploring careers. ✨ Creating brighter futures. #SYELP #SummerYouthEmploymentAndLearningProgram #OPP #HartfordYouth #SummerJobs

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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

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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
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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
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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.