The Opportunity Center seeks to address vast inequities for the most vulnerable neighborhood in our community, including education, financial, housing insecurity and unemployment. The Ladd Library is a front door to the OC where services are bundled and patrons connect to services. The OC provides hotel space for staff, a classroom with computers and a full-time navigator. The navigator connects the patron to the right services, and partnering organizations provide additional navigation hours.

This innovative model is a single location where multiple service providers collaborate to provide services including education, targeted skills training, real work experience, connections to social services, employment opportunities and improved financial literacy. Our partners relish the opportunity to provide services from this location as it would otherwise prove impossible for them to do. By implementing a shared referral system, we are able to track success and refer clients to the services they need.

In 2018, 834 individuals within 385 households received personalized services. Services included assistance with job applications and resumes; assistance with applying for SNAP (food stamps) and Child Care Assistance; food, transportation and clothing assistance through the Bridge to Benefits Fund; assistance with rent and electricity; and assistance with a broad range of other needs. Many individuals received multiple services, and a total of 1,534 services were provided and 21,164 pounds of food were distributed.