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Toll Free: 1-800-793-9455

© 2026 Opportunity Internationala 501(c)3 nonprofit. EIN: 540907624.
Headquarters: 101 N Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60606

News Blog

Meet Rohit from YAO-Chicago

by Rohit Dhake

Hi! My name is Rohit and I serve as co-chair of YAO-Chicago, helping coordinate fundraising, education, and networking events revolving around microfinance for Chicago area young professionals. I eagerly support microfinance because of its ability to help people pridefully help themselves in a highly sustainable fashion. Professionally, I work with at an investment firm but personally, I love economics podcasts, the Chicago Bulls, and hot sauce.

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Meet Caroline from YAO-Dallas

by Caroline Turner

Hi, I'm Caroline! I am a theatre artist teaching students ages 3 - 10 in the Dallas area and a part-time kindergarten assistant at The Lamplighter School. I spend my free time reading books, knitting scarves for friends and family, and organizing weekend picnics and other activities for children in urban Dallas. I spent two years serving in the Peace Corps in Ukraine, where I taught English and served as president for a nation-wide environmental organization. In addition to education and the environment,…

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Meet Alexa from YAO-New York

by Alexa Chu

Hi, I'm Alexa. I am a Portfolio Manager in Capital One’s Public Finance group. I specialize in New Market Tax Credits providing below market rate financing to catalyze development in low income neighborhoods. I am also building an Alternative Energy investment and production tax credit business. I became involved with YAO because I wanted to leverage my finance background to give back to the community. YAO is also a great way to connect with young professionals interested in microfinance and to…

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Entrepreneurcast: Meet Amanda Britt, Founder and CEO of Panzanzee

by Allison Kooser

The Young Ambassadors for Opportunity network is comprised of hundreds of amazing young leaders committed to making a sustainable impact in the fight against global poverty. These Young Ambassadors not only advocate, educate and fundraise on behalf of Opportunity International, but they also create innovative and influential solutions to big challenges through their careers. We thought it was time to celebrate these accomplishments. Each month, we will meet a Young Ambassador who is also an entrepreneur…

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Chatting with Thomas Balya Bugembe, a School Proprietor in Uganda

by Allison Kooser

On Wednesday, February 12, Campus Ambassadors and Young Ambassadors for Opportunity welcomed Thomas Balya Bugembe for a live chat. Thomas is a school proprietor in Uganda who has grown the Maryhill Primary School and Kindergarten outside of Kampala, Uganda from 37 students to over 700 students with tools and training from Opportunity International. One of 13 children, Thomas and his brother were the only two siblings who were able to go to secondary school. After briefly attending seminary, Thomas…

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Vicki Escarra on global reach, impact and technology

by Opportunity International

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…

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Facts about Extreme Poverty

by Opportunity International

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.

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Meet JP from YAO-Los Angeles

by JP Erickson

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…

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Meet Julia from YAO-DC

by Julia Smith

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…

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Meet Abbey from YAO-Denver

by Abbey Rosenwinkel

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,…

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