50 Weeks of Opportunity
Each week for the next 50 weeks, we will share a piece of Opportunity’s history—major or minor, sobering or inspiring, we have gotten where we are today by facing some of the world’s greatest challenges, with you by our side. Please join us in celebrating the many impactful moments that have built the foundation on which we will embark on our most audacious vision yet: ending extreme poverty.
Vicki Escarra on global reach, impact and technology
Opportunity CEO Vicki Escarra has been featured on the Chicago Tribune’s Blue Sky Innovation, a premium website and digital publication aimed at the growing community of innovation-minded business professionals and philanthropists in Chicago and around America. The interview highlights the mission of Opportunity International and how the organization creates innovative products and services to help clients in even the most remote areas of the world. “We are currently leading the industry…
Read MoreFacts about Extreme Poverty
Although the world has seen a reduction in poverty over the last few decades, approximately 1.2 billion people still face extreme poverty daily. Here is a blog that contains facts about the populations living in poverty.
Read MoreMeet JP from YAO-Los Angeles
Hi! I'm JP from YAO-Los Angeles! I live in Los Angeles and work for various film and television companies. I started out as a Production Assistant, but have been quickly making my way through the ranks. My most recent shows have both been on the Food Network: Cutthroat Kitchen & Next Food Network Star. I hope to continue working in the production world as long as opportunities keep presenting themselves. I spend my free time working at church doing youth ministry, leading bible studies, and helping…
Read MoreMeet Julia from YAO-DC
I'm Julia and I'm a member of YAO-DC! I am a nurse in the Emergency Department at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. In my free time I enjoy experimenting with new recipes in my kitchen, exploring the outdoors hiking, running, biking, and traveling to new places. I am a Young Ambassador because I saw with my own eyes the difference micro loans made in the lives of women and their families on an insight trip in the Dominican Republic and was inspired to get involved. Learn…
Read MoreMeet Abbey from YAO-Denver
Hi, I'm Abbey and I'm a part of YAO-Denver! I am a high school Spanish teacher at Monarch High School, just outside of Boulder, Colorado. I love to spend my winters snowboarding, sewing and hanging out with close friends. During the summers, I explore the mountains, travels abroad (if I can) and always visit my sweet home, Chicago! Traveling abroad and communicating with new people are two of my major passions. After traveling to Argentina and Central America to study, to adventure and to serve,…
Read MoreLive Chat with Michael Okleme
This week, Young Ambassadors for Opportunity and Campus Ambassadors welcomed Michael Okleme to their first live chat of the year. Michael worked for Opportunity as a loan officer and relationship manager in Ghana, and now works as a fundraiser for Opportunity in the US. As a loan officer, Michael directly served over 600 people working their way out of poverty. Later, as a relationship manager, he helped to double the capacity of his branch and led a team of loan officers working to empower clients.…
Read MoreChoose Nonviolence on Martin Luther King Day
The King Center is celebrating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by inspiring and educating youth to "Choose Nonviolence." In a press release from earlier this month, Bernice A. King, CEO of The King Center, stated that this year's theme "underscores the urgency of Dr. King’s challenge to people of every nation to choose nonviolence as a way of life, as well as a method for peaceful social change." At Opportunity International, we’re constantly inspired by Dr. King’s impassioned…
Read MoreLiving Below the Line to Change Your Perspective
In April of 2013 Opportunity International supporters joined together with like-minded individuals around the world to walk in someone else’s shoes. For 5 days they lived below the line, committing to spend only $1.50 a day to eat and drink. Through The Global Poverty Project’s annual Live Below the Line challenge they came to better understand the challenges that Opportunity International clients face every day.
Read MoreHow Opportunity International is Helping to Rebuild the Philippines
2013 was an inspiring year. In this blog series, the 12 Days of Opportunity, we are celebrating the accomplishments made possible by our caring and generous community of partners and supporters. Because of you, our clients are working their way out of poverty, strengthening their families and building vibrant communities in 22 countries around the world. In November, Typhoon Haiyan – one of the worst tropical storms on record – hit the Philippines. The typhoon devastated the island nation,…
Read MoreTogether, We Invested in 27,800 Families
On January 1, millions of Opportunity International clients around the world woke up, eager for the New Year to begin. Instead of worrying where their next meal would come from, they set food on the table. Instead of wondering how they’d earn enough money to provide for their families, they went to work in the businesses they created. For millions of people across the globe, today there’s Opportunity—and that starts with people like you. We are so pleased to announce that through our Invest…
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