Your bridge to a brighter future starts here.

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At Newport News Opportunity Center, along with our Navigating Wealth Building program, we are committed to fostering accessibility and driving growth by equipping individuals and communities with the tools and resources needed to create meaningful change. Our key accomplishments include:

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Workforce Development: In 2024, we provided tailored job readiness training to 162 individuals facing significant barriers, successfully connecting them to sustainable employment opportunities. Since our inception, we have graduated over 600 participants, achieving an 82% placement rate and a 77% retention rate, a clear reflection of the effectiveness of our programs.
Employer Partnerships: We have partnered with over 60 organizations to connect local talent with meaningful career opportunities, strengthening relationships between businesses and the community.

Job Placement: Through employer hiring events in 2024, we facilitated 679 successful job placements, with participants earning an average hourly wage of $19.16.

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These achievements reflect our commitment to empowering lives, supporting local economies, and building a more inclusive and prosperous future.

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Community Impact

Each year, we engage over 200 youth between the ages of 16–24, including both in-school and out-of-school participants. Many of these individuals are supported through initiatives such as the City of Newport News’ Youth T.H.R.I.V.E. Initiatives and our Youth Career Program (YCP). We work closely with youth who face significant barriers, including those requiring additional support, ensuring every participant has access to opportunities for personal growth and career readiness.

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One of our proudest accomplishments is serving as an official ACT proctoring site, in collaboration with Newport News Public Schools and key industry partners. Through the ACT WorkKeys Assessment, more than 125 youth and young adults have had the opportunity to assess critical workplace skills. This effort has made a meaningful impact on education, enabling 16 students to meet graduation requirements by achieving alternative math and reading standards during the 2023–2024 academic year.