Professional Opportunities Program for Students, Inc.
Building Character in Teens to Believe and Succeed
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The lack of knowledge and experience hinders students ability to successfully navigate the personal and academic challenges they encounter while living in low-income areas of the community. Relationship gaps exists and many students find themselves flailing around as they transition between grades and eventually out of school. Many students living in low socioeconomic communities only see what's around them, and have limited opportunity for exposure to what a different life could be and how to achieve it. They lack experience and exposure to different careers. we aim to help student break the cycle of poverty by learning how to take better themselves once they graduate high school.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Professional Opportunities Program for Students,Inc.
The POPS program strategically impacts the lives of our students by preparing them to transition through high school and prepare for long-term success by focusing on three program areas of personal and professional development:Character and Leadership Development POPS provides a series of evidence based character and leadership workshops to increase students resilience and reduce students' at-risk factors. These workshops include topics on respect, honesty, and responsibility. Professional Development Youth who miss out on early work experience often struggle finding employment and moving into the work force. POPS provides a 7 week paid internship program for students, providing exposure and hands-on experience about the requirements of today's competitive job market. College Readiness Each year our students visit a group of colleges and universities throughout Florida. The tour familiarizes students with campus life, providing a tour of classrooms, dormitories, the library and the technology center.
College Tours
This give students the opportunity to visit college campuses and to experience what life on a campus could be. For most of our students this is a life changer - fr the first time in their lives they can see themselves going to and receiving a college degree
Paid Summer Internships
When students have an early work experience they do better in life. This program sponsored through the generosity of Orange County provided 35 paid summer placements for our students. Additional placements are made through the support of private employers who agree to hire-on our students for 7 weeks during the summer.
Monthly Workshops
monthly 3 hour workshop to impart knowledge and skills about certain topics such as budgeting, interviewing, resume writing, professional conduct and attire on the job. Students have an opportunity to explore careers and role play skills that they are learning.
Weekly in-school mentoring group sessions
Students meet after school for 2 hours each week and a curriculum pertaining to character building, personal responsibility is discussed and reviewed. Assignments may be distributed that further enhances the discussions and topics of each session.
Where we work
External reviews
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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?
POPS is committed to preparing teens for FUTURE SUCCESS. POPS' focus is to assist teens in the completion of high school, motivate them to pursue advanced education and obtain gainful employment, while providing critical resources and experiences that reinforce their abilities and talents, to achieve lifelong success that will have profound influence on their families and communities. The objective is to provide a pathway to socio-economic mobility, resiliency and lifetime sustainability that will impact future generations.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
POPS staff and volunteers work with students attending five Orange County public high schools. We work with 80 -100 ninth through twelve grade students who are at rick for not completing HS or who are below the GPA necessary for entrance into a post secondary educational setting .
We provide weekly visits to each high school and implement a character building curriculum and face to face mentoring. Lessons are also taught on money management, exploring and researching careers, resume writing, and preparing for college or after school technical careers.
We also hold monthly skill building workshops designed to help students understand and put into practice new skills they are learning through roll play.
In the summer students receive paid internships where they begin to try out and experience working in a professional environment.
College Tours are also provided for all students to explore options and life on a college campus.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We have been working in this area since 2001. We have excellent relationships with the school principles, guidance, and college and career counselors for the schools we visit. Our staff are seasoned knowledgeable professionals who have been working in this area with POPS for more than five years. Our staff hold degrees in education and other pertinent subjects. We also work with volunteer professionals who cover specific topics as facilitators and presenters throughout the year.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Accomplishments:
106 students completed POPS in 2017
38 students were HS seniors - 37 students graduated
79% (30) POPS graduates were accepted into post-secondary educational institutions
41 paid summer internship placements were provided to POPS students - 35 were placed in various locations of Orange County Government, and six were placed in private employer settings.
Pre & Post surveys/ student evaluations:
89% of student interns who answered the pre and post-survey indicated an increased knowledge of diverse career options . 100% of those same students indicated an increased knowledge of business etiquette.
82% of interns who received both a mid-term and final evaluation showed improved ratings that ranged from developing/competent (mid-range) to effective/exceptional (highest range). No student was rated completely ineffective.
Next strategies:
Continue to work with students to improve their soft skills, and knowledge about the workplace.
Secure funding for summer instructional program for 15 &16 year olds
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
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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.
Professional Opportunities Program for Students, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 03/22/2018
Walter Hawkins
City of Orlando
Term: 2001 - 2017
Teresa Arthur
Tupperware Brands
Term: 2015 - 2017
Corey Lamb
O-Cart
Walter Hawkins
City of Orlando
Ghenet Sequar
Sky High Gourmet
Jessica Burns
RL Burns
Teresa Arthur
Tupperware USA
Keith Farmer
Community Volunteer
Mark Lewis
R L Burns
Kimberly Brown
Tupperware Brands
Samuel Davis
Lake Apopka Natural Gas District
Heather Trick
Jordan Law
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? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
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? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No