My experience with Opportunity Neighborhood was very positive! The staff treated one another-and students-with respect. The activities planned for students in summer programming were quite engaging for students. Weekly field trips allowed program participants to venture into the community and explore new locations. The programming was well thought-out and program themes were fun for students. The staff was always willing to support one another and ensure that the needs of students were met.

I absolutely loved working here no complaints was sad to leave and would gladly work here again !!

I loved my times at opportunity neighborhood. The kids are so easy to approach and the relationships you build with the kids are amazing. I enjoyed it because they had a set schedule. If the routine changed everyday, I think it would’ve been really unorganized, but it was always organized and the activities that were done always engaged the students. I enjoyed it so much that after my program with them ended, I went back to volunteer before school started.

I continue to be honored to serve as a Board Member for Opportunity Neighborhood, an organization that focuses on creating safe and stable neighborhoods through onsite programming and services such as onsite courtesy programs that focuses on solving problems within the community vs having escalated to police. In addition, safe and affordable housing communities are more likely to thrive when the families have access to out-of-school time/youth intervention, safety initiatives, information and referral, community events and special initiatives. All of which Opportunity Neighborhood has. I recently had the pleasure of attending one of their special events where children were exposed to both the history and art of break dancinng, including the children learning the dance moves themselves. It was pure joy to show how the children expressed themselves, had fun and most importantly, demonstrated self confidence and willingness to try new things. These type of programs instill life lessons that will carry forward for these children as they grow, creating a foundation for success. So proud of the work Opportunity Neighborhood does. Keep it up!

The after-school program gives kids great opportunities to express their creativity and to learn important lessons. This benefits from and contributes to the vibrant community life at Ames Lake.

The kids are a cheerful bunch, always full of energy. The teenagers are always wanting to help and volunteer with the staff.

Ames Lake Opportunity Neighborhood is a wonderful community with caring, kind, and thoughtful families. The birth to 5 montessori class at the community center is especially great and a fun place for people to get to know each other and for kids to play together!

We, SPPD, have been partners with this organization for many years and I can personally say for myself, the last five years have been very beneficial for both sides. Look forward to many more successful years.

I have seen first hand as a board member the positive impact opportunity neighborhood has on children and communities. The staff is deeply committed to their work and the mission. We benefit as a community in so many ways by the services provided by the group.

Parents of low income families, especially single moms, rely heavily on programing that will help them be better parents. After school programs, academic and activities for children, family events are of tremendous support to struggling families. Children are happy to know they have a place to go and someone to interact with after school. Parents are able to stay at work and avoid loosing their jobs better. ONDC helps to make sure the pay checks are maximum. The best thing I have witnessed about ONDC programing is that staff is continually looking for better ways to bring stability to families at school, at work, and at home.

Opportunity Neighborhood was a wonderful and diverse place to volunteer at. The children were very energetic and the staff members are very helpful. The staff members inform you about situations or upcoming events that are happening in the neighborhood.

I consider myself very lucky to be able to witness how this nonprofit organization works on a day to day basis. The employees of this organization make a huge difference on the children in the Ames Lake Neighbor Community located in East Saint Paul. The staff works so hard to educate the children and help them achieve in school with tutoring after school and a bookmobile that comes to the community.

Not only does this organization help the children in the community but also the adults that need help finding resources for food, furniture and access to a computer.

I really enjoy watching how involved ONDC is with the children of Ames Lake Neighborhood. I like how they keep the children involved and how they all participate one way or another in the program.

I reside at Ames Lake and I have resided here for two years. I love the program that Kacee Moua is in charge of here at Ames Lake neighborhood. It is a very positive program and she is a great leader. Kacee is in charge of resident services and she is always positive and energetic and she is a very sweet and endearing person. The resident services program is about families as well as individuals both of which I think is great. Kacee and Lee(Kacee's assistant) are always very helpful and patient and they are both dedicated and work hard to make sure everyone feels welcome and comfortable and that is a very big plus for me.

The biggest contribution to increasing community safety at Garden View Apartments has been the community building. When people feel they are part of a community they take ownership of their community. As people take ownership they have a desire to be a contributing member to make their community better. As a result of the community building done by Opportunity Neighborhood people no longer become afraid to call the police when someone is behaving out of the norms of the community to they can preserve the safety and quality of their community.

I work in social services and frequently refer parents to the Ames Opportunity Neighborhood for family support and high quality child care. The Ames Opportunity Neighborhood after school program is always seeking new ways to offer learning, engagement and caring to the youth they serve. Kacee Moua is a great leader who is really the driver for innovation and improvement at this program.