Mission: To empower and unite Hartford parents citywide to meet the academic, social, cultural, creative and physical needs of children through parent-driven, extended-day programs that nurture and encourage responsible citizens.
Background: Organized Parents Make A Difference Inc. (OPMAD) is a non-profit, parent-run, grassroots organization that provides after-school, literacy based enrichment programs in Hartford’s public elementary schools. OPMAD broadens the experiences and interests of students and gives them positive peer and adult role models. Our programs have both increased academic success for children and encouraged civic engagement for their parents.
The program was founded in 1992 by eight parents who met to discuss issues facing with their children. Parents were becoming increasingly fearful as the streets and neighborhoods became recruitment zones for gangs. These parents worked for one year to develop a parent-driven model for an extended-day program and to secure funding to start OPMAD.
Parents soon found that OPMAD offered them as many benefits as it did their children. Through after-school programs and training opportunities for parents, OPMAD builds community involvement and promotes strong relationships between families and schools. As civic participation declines in urban areas, OPMAD provides a means to collaborate with other organizations for resources, link people to each other, create higher expectations for academic and community achievement and strengthen families.
OPMAD programs serve 400 students daily in four elementary schools. Funding comes primarily from the government, although many local foundations and individual donors help to fill the financial gap.
OPMAD is a member of Connecticut Association of Nonprofits.
Volunteer Needs: OPMAD is always looking for volunteers to join committees, work with the students in the schools, or offer family and parent activities. Contact Sharon Tripp, executive director, at 860-548-0301.
Leadership:
Sharon Tripp, executive director;
Ernest Foster, board president;
William Morin, board vice president.
Contact Information:
Organized Parents Make A Difference Inc.
350 Farmington Ave., Hartford, CT 06105
860-548-0301
www.opmad.org
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Sharon Tripp is executive director of Organized Parents Make a Difference Inc.
