The Opportunity Network

The Opportunity Network wishes you and yours a Happy and Prosperous New Year! 🎆 Before the clock strikes midnight, make your final imprint on 2024 with a generous year-end gift: https://theopportunitynetwork.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/yearend

See you in 2025!

“OppNet taught us the value of networking and self-advocacy.” – Shatiek Gatlin, OppNet Class of 2016 💛❤️🩵

💫 Donate today and make a lifetime’s worth of difference: https://opportunitynetwork.org/givingtuesday

Since 2003, OppNet has been preparing first-generation students and students of color for college and career success through our Fellows Program, Career Fluency® Partnerships, and Opportunity Ignited initiatives. Our community's support has been crucial to creating powerful experiences and encounters that OppNet Fellows like Shatiek can remember and leverage forever.

A donation to OppNet will ensure we can continue this work for decades to come. Remember: this , every generous gift will be TRIPLED — and so will your impact — thanks to the Hernan Lopez Family Foundation - HLFF and an anonymous board member!

"Through OppNet, I found all the tools I needed to build a foundation for success.” - Alan Perez, OppNet Class of 2026 💛❤️🩵

At OppNet, we equip students like Alan with the building blocks to excel throughout their college and career journeys. Our impact has been undeniable:

🎓 97% of OppNet Fellows graduate college in six years (national average: 21% of first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds graduate in six years)
🌟 82,000+ young people reached through 180 partner schools & organizations
💼 Nearly 4,000 summer internship and enrichment placements at 650+ intern and enrichment partners

This success is in large part due to the committed support of our community. Now, thanks to Hernan Lopez Family Foundation - HLFF and an anonymous board member, we are amplifying our impact even more by tripling every donation made this .

Transform your giving spirit into measurable impact. Every dollar makes a difference in the lives and futures of OppNet youth! Donate here: https://opportunitynetwork.org/givingtuesday

"I’m not alone in pursuing my dreams.” – Xochitl Flores, OppNet Class of 2025 💛❤️🩵

is almost here, and this year your donation can make 3x the difference.

Thanks to the Hernan Lopez Family Foundation - HLFF and an anonymous board member, every dollar donated to OppNet will be TRIPLED, fueling our efforts to expand college and career access across three boroughs and our three programs. In other words, your $100 donation becomes $300!

Join us this giving season and contribute to the bright futures of promising students like Xochitl! Make your donation today: https://opportunitynetwork.org/givingtuesday

🎉 Join Us for OppNet’s 11th Grade Speed Networking Event! 🎉

Looking for a meaningful way to give back? Volunteer to help students sharpen their networking and communication skills! 🌟

📅 When: December 2–4
⏰ Time: 5:30–7:00 PM ET
📍 Where: Virtual on Zoom
🔗 Sign up: https://oppnet.tfaforms.net/5117724

As a volunteer, you’ll connect with incredible students, share insights about your career, and help them build confidence to tackle the professional world. Think of it as mentoring, but with speed! 🚀

Tag a friend who’d love this opportunity, and let’s make a difference together. 💼✨

✨ This , make your impact go three times as far! 🎁 ✨

3 Programs. 3 Boroughs. 3 Times the Impact.

Through our Fellows program, Career Fluency® Partnerships, and Opportunity Ignited initiatives, OppNet is building a future where every student has access to the networks, skills, and opportunities they need to thrive.

This year, every dollar donated up to $25,000 will be TRIPLED — turning your $100 into $300 of impact — thanks to the generous support of the Hernan Lopez Family Foundation and an anonymous donor.

Mark OppNet on your calendar 🗓️ for December 3, and join us this giving season as we create success pathways to empower our students to become next-gen leaders.

! This , we're throwing it back to our convening on youth mental health in Washington, D.C. last year.

As part of our mission to serve our young people holistically, OppNet acknowledges and celebrates World Mental Health Day. We know that mental wellness is just as important as physical health, and through our programming, we strive to create communities where mental health is not only normalized but prioritized, too. As part of this effort, we encourage you to comment below your favorite stress-busting tips for our high school and college Fellows!

🎉 Introducing The OpportuniTea ☕✨— our brand-new series of Instagram Live events showcasing OppNet’s work and uplifting the voices of our incredible community! 💬🌟

Join us for our first event tomorrow, October 8, at 6pm ET as we continue our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month! 🎉

Our very own Lucria Ortiz will be going live with OppNet alum Esther Nuñez to discuss Esther’s career journey and her unique perspective on what Hispanic Heritage Month means to her.✨ Don’t miss this amazing conversation! Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theopportunitynetwork

📅 Save the date and tune in!

Spotlight: Joseph Hernandez 🌟

Meet Joseph, our Operations Coordinator — and an OppNet alum — with roots in the Dominican Republic. Born and raised in the vibrant Latinx community of Queens, NY, Joseph embodies the rich tapestry of Hispanic culture in America.

“This month is a special reminder of where I come from,” Joseph says. “It’s a time to celebrate our roots, our resilience, and the contributions we continue to make in shaping society. Sharing my story and learning from others strengthens our organizational chemistry and enhances collaboration.”

Joseph's journey exemplifies the resilience and valuable contributions of the Hispanic community. Join us in honoring him and the countless Hispanic Americans who continue to shape our society. Their stories are America's stories.

📣 Big news! OppNet is growing! 🌱

We're thrilled to be expanding our Fellows program into Queens and deepening our roots in the Bronx.

In Queens, we’re partnering with Sunnyside Community Services to provide after-school programming for our Fellows. We're also entering Year 2 of our Bronx-based programming to expand career exposure opportunities for students borough-wide in partnership with DREAM Charter High School. Of course, we also continue to deliver Fellows programming in Manhattan.

Huge thanks to our incredible and dedicated team members for their outstanding work making it all happen! Together, we're creating more paths to success for our bright leaders of tomorrow. 🚀

Celebrating with Inclusion and Impact! 🎉

Recently, OppNet President & CEO Lucria Ortiz had the pleasure of serving as guest speaker at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey's (HBCBSNJ) HR Town Hall in commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Invited to speak by OppNet Board Vice Chair and HBCBSNJ Chief Human Resources Officer Aisha Thomas-Petit, Lucria shared her personal journey as well as the impactful work happening here at OppNet. She also had the valuable chance to learn about the organization's strong commitment to , and .

A heartfelt thank you to Aisha and the entire HBCBSNJ team for this enriching opportunity to share our vision for a more inclusive future. Together, we're breaking barriers and fostering future leaders! 💪🌟

We had a fantastic time presenting and exhibiting at this year's National College Attainment Network (NCAN) Conference in Anaheim, CA! Led by OppNet Assistant Director of Partnership Development Wanufi Teshome and Assistant Director of Partnerships & Advocacy Samantha Alcalá, we discussed the concept of best-fit careers; explored how passions, values, and skills drive student career exploration; and built connections with peers to share ideas, resources, and best practices.

Thank you to everyone who joined and engaged us in meaningful conversations about empowering students' career journeys. See you next year!