OUR IMPACT

The Equal Opportunity Community Initiative invests in disadvantaged children and youth to give them what they deserve most: the opportunity to reach their potential and fulfill their dreams. We do this in a way that respects individual communities’ customs and cultures, as well as the freedom and aspirations unique to each individual.

In our role as distributor of your generous in-kind donations, the Equal Opportunity Community Initiative acts as a conduit between those who need assistance and those who are able and happy to provide it. We recognize that poverty is a complex issue, and that many children and families find themselves at the intersection of several contributors to their predicament. That’s why we approach these issues in holistic ways, to ensure that resources and training are imparted to those who need them the most. Feasibility studies and research are conducted to identify beneficiaries and recipients, and by working in tandem with organized coordinating structures, so that education and training can facilitate upward social mobility, and community-building supports the provision of essential life needs.

Education

Many students fail to meet grading criteria because their schools simply don’t have the adequate materials and infrastructure to provide high-quality instruction. The Equal Opportunity Community Initiative has worked extensively in Israel and the West Bank to keep the lights on and extend the learning day for resident youth, and coordinated in-kind donations of backpacks and other school supplies.

7 libraries built and stocked with books
6 solar-powered generation systems installed
4 computer labs built and fully equipped
1 million dollars’ worth of school supplies distributed
450% increase in youth computer and internet access
20 workshops held each year to keep teachers’ skills up to date

“Projects like these remove barriers for our students and financial burdens from their families. These supplies have been a lifesaver for all the kids who now come to school with the tools they need to learn and succeed in the classroom and in life.”

The best way to encourage lifelong learning in youth is to foster a love of reading for pleasure. Jordanians exhibit a tremendous love of reading, with youth reading an average of 13 books per year. Unfortunately, many rural areas are underserved by utilities, and a lack of access to libraries and other learning infrastructure means that kids in those areas read an average of just 4 pages per year.

Our programs celebrate and support people taking the initiative to make a positive change in their communities. By assisting with the construction of libraries and solar power generation projects, we are extending the learning day and nurturing youths’ innate desire to learn and grow. In the rural communities we’ve helped, kids went from reading an average of 4 pages per year to 14 books per year – higher than the national average.

“Parents like their children to participate in programs like this and I hope that more of our students can continue to participate in these excellent programs. This program will help teachers to have new methods and ways of teaching.”

Training

Training children in English communication skills helps match their learning outcomes to local market demands.

98% expanded their English vocabulary
96% developed more sophisticated communication skills and etiquette
88% improved their creative thinking and writing skills
85% became more confident in their ability to converse descriptively

“I want to thank you for this successful project from Canada.
We were very excited to learn and participate in the activities!
The new and different skills and information we gained from this training made this the best experience of my life. I’d like to be a volunteer one day to help people all around the world just like you. I really hope you will come back again. Thank you very much for this opportunity!”

The Bullyproof program teaches children and youth how to recognize signs of bullying, exercise discipline, and utilize teamwork to set and achieve common goals. Its message of self-respect and perseverance, while teaching kids skills that make our communities safer, is a critical component of building greater self-confidence.

99% improved their conflict resolution skills
98% developed greater self-discipline and a more positive attitude toward school
98% developed increased self-confidence and greater personal reliance
90% successfully completed the physical skills training

“The kids have more self-discipline, self-confidence and physical strength, and better health. It’s a great opportunity for our kids to have this chance to learn and practise.”

Community

Developing communities is all about bringing individuals together to form connections over shared experiences. Our programs have seen considerable increases in youth participation and engagement in a variety of community-building initiatives.

600% increase in volunteer and social justice programs
240% increase in skills training
75% increase in global classroom exchanges
60% increase in athletic training

“I thoroughly enjoy volunteering for Equal Opportunity and their programs because it is always for a good cause. The staff are so welcoming and friendly, it connects me to my community and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my time.”

Social Mobility

Poverty is endemic to many parts of the world. For this reason, much of the work we do in areas involving education and training relates directly to empowering disadvantaged populations to elevate themselves out of the vicious cycle of poverty, and creating opportunities within their communities.

Children and youth – our future leaders – are the greatest drivers of change. By investing in them, our impact radiates out into their respective families and into their communities. All of the youth who participate in our education and training programs graduate with the skills they need in the workforce, and many go on to start businesses of their own, enabling them to re-invest in their community.

98% attendance for all workshops and skills training sessions
96% performance average in education programs

Particularly popular are the hairstyling and sewing programs, which train youth in practical and marketable skills to ensure they can secure jobs in high-demand sectors or open small businesses of their own. As part of our ongoing capacity-building work, we have also subsidized and assisted in the construction of salons and sewing centres to provide people in such communities with real-world employment experience.

Other job creation initiatives include the construction of playgrounds, science labs and bathrooms in schools. These projects have not only created employment in poverty-stricken communities, but they have also made meaningful contributions to children’s education and essential life needs.

“Through this program, I learned the skills to start my own business and it opened doors for me to live my dreams and become more than what I thought I could be. I feel like I have a purpose and it made it possible for me to change my life.”

Essential Life Needs

Food insecurity is a very real problem for many disadvantaged children in the world. Tackling it as part of a broader initiative to alleviate poverty is critically important to helping families in need – children can’t learn in school if they’re cold and hungry.

513,100 pounds of food, clothing and equipment donated per year on average
4 shipping containers full of clothing distributed overseas

Being able to see what your teacher is writing is vital to learning, yet countless children suffer from weak eyesight. A lack of access to specialized doctors and corrective lenses only aggravates this problem. Our vision program visits schools to test children, and then connects them with the specialists and procedures they need to see properly and learn effectively.