About GO

Our Mission

 

Green Opportunities connects youth and adults from low-wealth neighborhoods to sustained employment opportunities that support families and improve community and environmental health.

 

 

Our Vision

 

We envision a community, made up of resilient, interconnected neighborhoods, whose residents have access to jobs that support their families and improve community and environmental health. 

 Credit Dena Rutter - resized

We accomplish our work through:

 

 

Our Training Approach

 

  • On-the-job training for in-demand industries that offer clients a sense of accomplishment, provide relevant job knowledge and technical skills, and facilitate clients accessing jobs in their own communities. Students also work on hands-on projects, like preparing and serving meals in our community kitchen, that have a tangible impact on community health.
  • Bundled services to program clients, integrating technical and life skills training, entrepreneurial training, case management—to assess individual clients’ goals and barriers and link clients to appropriate community support services—and academic support to assist clients in achieving a high school diploma or GED.
  • Financial support in the form of stipends or temporary employment wages to provide a way out of financial crisis so that clients can focus throughout the training and placement period.
  • Close collaboration with neighborhood associations, community leaders and other active community members in our target neighborhoods to build trust and develop a sense of ownership. Working closely with like-minded businesses creates employment opportunities for program graduates.
We Believe…

 

  • We believe in meeting people where they are and providing them with the education, training or support they need to empower themselves and their communities.
  • We believe that true sustainability must include environmental, social and economic justice.
  • We believe in holding ourselves accountable to serving the community with dignity and respect.
  • We believe in creatively adapting to challenges and opportunities in order to accomplish our mission.
  • We believe we must work together with other individuals and organizations in our community to achieve our goals.
  • We believe in modeling diversity and cultural competency throughout the organization, and in leading the community toward a more inclusive green economy
The Triple Bottom Line

 

True sustainability seeks to maximize Triple-Bottom Line benefits, addressing the economy, the environment, and social justice.  We believe that unless we consciously embrace social justice objectives along with environmental and economic ones, the green economic boom will leave historically marginalized and disenfranchised communities behind.

 

Economy
We offer clients the skills and experience necessary to secure meaningful, long-term employment that pays a living wage. It also supports the local green economy by training workers for high-demand industries, promoting partner organizations and businesses wherever possible, and educating the community about green lifestyles and behaviors, thereby driving the demand for green goods and services.
Equity
We specifically target youth and adults living in low wealth, high crime communities and communities of color. The program seeks to break the cycle of poverty in these communities by providing ongoing support and access to quality opportunities, and by connecting members with existing community services.
Environment
The environment benefits from the service projects GO members implement throughout the program, beginning in their own neighborhoods. Sustainable agriculture projects provide greater access to food that is healthier for the consumer and the planet. Clean energy and energy efficiency projects improve indoor and outdoor air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Ecological restoration projects enhance wildlife habitat and ecosystem services, such as water quality and carbon sequestration.