My Nonprofit Reviews
Nicole S.
Review for Opportunity Junction, Antioch, CA, USA
It's hard to know where to start with a place as amazing as Opportunity Junction. When I walked through those doors, I had spent years on welfare, getting by doing odd jobs when I could, and generally with no confidence in myself. I came in for the computer skills, hoping to find a job, but I found so much more. The experience of having people there that cared about me and believed in me was amazing. The "life" skills were just what I needed to get some confidence in myself and learn to open up to other people. The sense of teamwork among the staff and fellow participants was something I had never experienced before, and it really made all the difference. When I graduated, I was given an internship that I was afraid of, and yet I did it and did it well. When I left Opportunity Junction, I hadn't quite found work, but I knew how to keep looking. Five months later, I had a job with Contra Costa County EHSD, where I still work 2+ years later and earn more than I ever have before. I'm back in school to finish my AA and I still work at Opportunity Junction with their Do It Yourself Tax Assistance Program. Opportunity Junction's programs are great because they are all about teaching you to be your own best advocate and I am so grateful that I found them. This program changed my life and the lives of many others for the better.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
Review for National Novel Writing Month, Berkeley, CA, USA
I've always called myself a "writer" but all that I had to prove that were a stack of unfinished short stories and a handful of bad poetry. Someone mentioned NaNoWriMo in passing and I was fascinated by the idea of writing 50,000 words in one month - maybe I could actually finishe something!
I took on the challenge, despite working two jobs and having a family to take care of. Sometimes it was insanely difficult to sit down and pound out 1,776 words for that day, sometimes I had to double up, and sometimes the words flowed so easily it was like my novel was writing itself. Through it all, the forums and all of the great people I met there, helped me through it. When I was discouraged, or stuck somewhere, or I just needed a name for my protaganist's pet, there were people there who were going through the same thing and who were ready and willing to help. I liked to think that maybe I helped a few people along the way as well.
I did it, I won NaNoWriMo. I didn't get a parade or a bunch of fancy prizes, but what I got was so much more. I got a work that far exceeds anything I have ever done before, even though it needs plenty of polishing. I got the hope that maybe I really was a writer. I got confidence and joy and so many things that I cannot even put into words.
I reccommend this to anyone who just wants to have a really great, really fun adventure in writing!
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my personal life and how I relate to writing and my love of it.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I honestly cannot think of any changes that I would make - the experience was amazing!
