Get to Know Us


Mission Statement
Our mission at Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT) is to break the cycle of poverty and inequity through education, job training, and employment
Vision Statement
Our vision to strengthen the workforce by serving as a bridge to economic opportunity for youth, individuals, and families in underserved communities is critical for economic recovery during these unprecedented times.
Diversity & Racial Equity Mission Statement
Our diversity & racial equity mission statement confirms our commitment to fostering and maintaining a work environment where diversity, equity, and inclusion are woven into our organizational DNA. We recognize that structural racism, discrimination, systems of power, and other forms of oppression, give privilege and access to resources, lead to inequities, and have contributed to persistent disparities. OBT is on an intentional journey to champion and operationalize the values of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion into our organization and the communities we serve. We strive to sustain a culture where all individuals can thrive and feel a sense of belonging, especially those whose voices and experiences have been historically marginalized. We commit our work to breaking oppressive barriers and serving as a bridge to sustainable economic opportunities that will build and strengthen an equitable workforce.
Principles
We emphasize the principles of accountability, confidence, and professionalism to prepare participants for the workforce while developing personal and professional skills.
Values
Integrity: Respecting our commitments, personally and professionally
OBT’s personal and professional integrity is a hallmark of our interaction with our participants, staff, partners, donors, and others.
Excellence: Pushing ourselves and one another to be our very best
Our definition of excellence begins and ends with the high standards we set for providing services to OBT participants, staff, partners, donors, and others. OBT is built around specialized service offerings and programs designed to meet the complex and unique needs of its participants.
Empowerment: Positive change begins with us
We believe that empowerment is the sense that you are in control of your life. It enables you to make positive decisions, and to take action that will bring you closer to achieving your goals and ambitions. We instill empowerment in our participants, staff, and OBT community
Our Culture
Respect
Our diverse workforce brings perspectives, skills, and experience that we can learn from each other. We believe that it is unacceptable for our spoken and written language and behavior to demean anyone’s physical characteristic, as well as anyone’s ethnicity, gender, race, religion or sexual identity. We as individuals must take responsibility for our words and deeds and respect all people. We are sensitive toward the circumstances of our OBT participants and work collaboratively with each other to achieve their goals.
Teamwork
We willingly do what must be done to assist each other. We provide feedback about meeting each other’s needs and we promptly respond to requests for assistance. We understand that Teamwork is the combined commitment to overcome obstacles. It’s support. It’s encouragement. It’s working together to support our participants’ needs.
How We Do It
Life is not Linear
OBT provides a pathway to opportunity for every person who walks through our doors. We meet our participants “where they’re at” and give them the tools to build their future.
Integrating the Personal
and Professional
Our programs support participants as they earn their diplomas, develop skills, learn a new craft, and gain the confidence to network professionally. We blend academics, technical skills, and workforce training.
Individualized Support
We work with youth and adults, offering mentorship and case management to every student.
Career Coaching
and Beyond
Our Pathways to Economic Opportunity approach ensures that all OBT participants are guided towards their next job opportunity, enrolling in college, or an advanced training program after graduation.
By the Numbers
Approximately 30% of young adults in NYC are now disconnected from employment and education, making the total a staggering 291,500.
New York City’s unemployment rate has skyrocketed since the pandemic began to 14%. There is also significant underemployment in New York City – when workers work less than 20 hours per week. These serious problems are more evident and compounding in NYC’s communities of color – the very neighborhoods in which OBT has been rooted for decades.
Our programs offer a bridge to economic mobility and stability.
Since 1983, we have helped 15,000 New Yorkers gain the skills and educational credentials they need to succeed.
77% of program participants complete OBT programs successfully each year.
60% of program participants earn industry-recognized credentials while in an OBT program.
52% of program graduates engage in employment or matriculate in college after graduating from our programs
The average wage of an OBT graduate is $35,000 one year after working with us.
69% of graduates remain employed or in college after one year.
Over 94% of our participants are students of color with diverse academic experiences and skills
Meet the Team
OBT Board
Vincent Chirico, ESQ
Chairperson
Chirico Law PLLC
Marc Gross
Treasurer
The Gordon Group
Jillian Hopman
Secretary
Jillian D. Hopman Attorney at Law
Frank Morizio, Jr., CLTC, LUTCF
Chairman Emeritus
The Hotaling Group
Jennifer Baxi
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Damian Bivona
Development Committee Chair
AST Financial
Kate Allen-Bruce
Bridgewater Associates
Gehan Dabare
CVS Health
Jeff Hao
Strategic Planning Committee Chair
The Hackett Group Inc.
Rachel Kuo
Governance Committee Chair
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Evan Leflore
Google
Sasha Leflore
Dr. Brian R. Mitra
Queensborough Community College
Alison Muller
ACTO
Darrelle Spears
SONY Music Entertainment
Nicholas Yoder
Virgil Quantitative Research
Senior Leadership
Ashley Elizabeth Ball
Director, Government Affairs & Public Policy
Nichole Briggs
Director, Youth Programs – Bushwick
Serrina Goodman
Senior Director, Customized Trainings & Business Partnerships
Stephanie Guzman
Director, Youth Programs – Jamaica
Darryl Henderson
Senior Director, Budget & Contracts
Michael Salazar
Senior Director, Workforce Innovation
Ryan Sheppard
Director, TechStart Program
Georgia Trim
Director, Adult Education & Literacy Program
Kelsey Reenstra
Director, Advance and Earn
Contact Us
Sunset Park
882 3rd Ave
Suite 10-10NE, Unit 18
Brooklyn, NY 11232
Phone: (718) 369-0303
Fax: (718) 369-1518
Innovation Lab at Industry City
87 35th St
2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11232
Phone: (718) 801-8970
Bushwick
25 Thornton St
Brooklyn, NY 11206
Phone: (718) 387-1600
Fax: (718) 387-5005
Jamaica
168-25 Jamaica Ave
Suite 202
Queens, NY 11432
Phone: (718) 526-2984
Fax: (212) 202-6456