United Way - Opportunity For Advancement

Opportunity for Advancement works with women in disadvantaged life situations.

While poverty is an issue for almost all of the women with whom we work, other factors create additional barriers to well-being and equal participation in society. These include:

• being a sole-support parent
• being an immigrant or woman of colour
• being lesbian
• being disabled or chronically ill
• having experienced violence.

OFA is involved in program delivery and social advocacy with the goal of supporting women to achieve greater economic sufficiency, increased personal well-being and enhanced participation in their communities.

Opportunity for Advancement has been a leader in the development of of feminist group work models that address personal issues within a broader social context. Our approach recognizes both the strengths of individuals and the support that comes from the group process. Our programs enable participants to build self-esteem, reduce social isolation, explore the roots of problem situations, learn and share information and skills, and set new goals for themselves.