OPPORTUNITIES INDUSTRIALIZATION CENTERS OF AMERICA INC
Helping people help themselves
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
OIC is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization preparing people for today's workforce by providing educational, health, and employment readiness services to underserved and underrepresented communities. The U.S. is one of the richest countries in the world, yet 43.1 million Americans live in poverty and 19.4 million live in "deep" poverty, which often persists across generations. Family members may remain unemployed or "stuck" in low wage jobs, lacking education and skills needed in a competitive job market. Labor market experts estimate 25 million, or 47%, of all new job openings from 2010 to 2020 will fall into the middle-skills range. Shortages of workers for these types of jobs are already undermining U.S. competitiveness and causing firms to shift their operations abroad. Providing targeted, high quality training for people to fill those well-paid jobs could help remedy the wage stagnation gripping the country and close the growing gap between high- and low-income households.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
SOAR
OIC of America leads multiple Dept. of Labor re-entry grant initiatives to serve young adults between the ages of 18 – 24 and adults ages 25 and older who have been involved in the justice system. A select group of OIC affiliates are executing a national initiative named SOAR (Skills and Opportunities for Achievement & Responsibility) to reduce recidivism, as a response to mass incarceration in the U.S.
The nationwide SOAR program applies a comprehensive “reentry” strategy to address a range of challenges in helping formerly incarcerated young adults make a successful transition back into their communities. This program takes a surgical approach to reduce recidivism using the evidence-based model Integrated Re-entry and Employment Strategies (IRES) to place participants on a sustainable career path, while working to prevent future involvement with the justice system. The model was first tested by OIC of South Florida and is now being replicated at ten sites across the OIC network.
Career Academic and Development Institute
The Career and Academic Development Institute (CADI), opened its doors on September 7, 2004, and is an accelerated alternative high school located in Philadelphia, PA. The school was developed as a cooperative effort between OIC of America and the School District of Philadelphia. The school provides transitional services both academic and developmental to a myriad of students of diverse backgrounds, with many being from low income and underserved communities. CADI services students ages 17–21, who have been absent from traditional high school for at least six months.
The Career and Academic Development Institute's curriculum is parallel with the school district of Philadelphia's high school standards of learning. CADI was uniquely designed to assist students by providing several different program options that may fit students scheduling needs, which include year-round sessions during the day. Students can also earn credits at home, or wherever internet access is available though the ExtraLearning Online Virtual Academy; where students receive computer assisted instruction and an online subscription to internet lessons and tutorials. Along with Program Director C. Benjamin Lattimore and Principal Dr. Pamela Thomas, the Career and Academic Development Institute has a dynamic team of instructors, case managers, development specialists, and administrative support staff.
Eligibility Requirements: Individual must be between the ages of 16 and 21 and either (a) enrolled in a Philadelphia School District school, but has failed to earn a significant number of credits towards graduation (b) has previously dropped out of school; or (c) who is returning from an adjudicated court placement.
Where we work
External reviews
Videos
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
We envision a world in which all people are contributing members of their families and communities. Through our efforts and theirs, our participants break the cycle of poverty. To help accomplish this goal, we provide quality education and training services through a national network of local affiliates that will enable economically disadvantaged and unemployed people of all races and backgrounds to become productive, more fulfilled members of American society. We partner with other non-profits, social service agencies, and businesses to provide individuals with the support and training needed to ensure success in their chosen careers and provide employers with employees that are reliable and skilled.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Following our founder, Reverend Leon H. Sullivan's philosophy, we believe that the best social service program in the world is a job. Our core strategy is to provide people with a hand up, not a hand out. OIC and its affiliates provide education, work readiness and vocational skills training, and wrap-around support services to prepare low-income and underserved individuals with the tools they need to succeed in securing and retaining living wage jobs that enable them to provide for themselves and their families. Whenever possible, we seek to identify best practices and base our programs on evidence-based models that have been proven to be effective. At the same time, we encourage innovation and creative ideas to help address the challenges faced by the individuals we serve.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The heart of OIC consists of a network of affiliates in 22 states currently, with many opportunities for expansion and growth. Our affiliates tailor their services to meet the needs of individuals, families, partners, and employers in their local regions. A variety of services may be offered, including health care, GED preparation, education through alternative schools, connections to public benefits, reentry services, youth development, job skills training, and job placement assistance. The OICA National Office provides its affiliate network with partnership development, support, strategy, guidance, networking, training and technical assistance in program development, implementation, and sustainability.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
At any given moment, there are more than 150 programs operating throughout our network of affiliates. Collectively, we serve more than 80,000 people a year. Recently, with support from the U.S. Department of Labor, OICA launched a major national re-entry initiative (SOAR) to provide returning citizens with vocational training, work readiness and education to help reduce recidivism and increase their chances of becoming productive citizens. SOAR programs are currently operational in Minneapolis, MN; Portland, OR; Wilson, NC; Rocky Mount, NC; Philadelphia, PA; Chester County, PA; Harrisburg, PA; Montgomery County, PA; Miami-Dade County, FL; Springfield, OH; and Oklahoma City, OK.
We are always seeking to expand our reach and offer services in communities we do not currently touch. We have learned that it truly "takes a village" to do this work, and thus we also continually seek to develop new partnerships to enable us to most effectively assist those who need our services.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
OPPORTUNITIES INDUSTRIALIZATION CENTERS OF AMERICA INC
Board of directorsas of 06/08/2023
James Talton
Synergy Marketing Strategy and Research, Inc.
Term: 2021 -
Linda White
Herman Walker
Ronald J. Harper
Delores Shelton
James Talton
Joe McFerrin, Jr.
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? No -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
Transgender Identity
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data