The Opportunity Project

The Opportunity Project (TOP) is a 3-week work-readiness program that supports young people across Duval County in understanding and maximizing their opportunities beyond school and help them to see and achieve their potential.

This three-week, face-to-face program is designed to support disengaged young adults aged 16–21 , with a particular focus on those who have experienced foster care or involvement in the juvenile justice system.

As a work readiness program, TOP not only equips students with essential professional skills—such as communication, interview techniques, and networking—but also helps them build confidence, recognize their transferable strengths, and cultivate ambition toward high-skill, high-wage career pathways in Jacksonville. Participants leave the program with a polished resume and LinkedIn profile, ready to share with potential employers.

We’re proud to have an 82% positive outcome rate, with students going on to complete their GED, secure employment, or begin college. Above all, TOP fosters trust in the wider community and empowers our students to become contributing members of society.

UPCOMING COHORT DATES:

April 14 - May 1

We work in partnership with local employers to support us in sharing local opportunities, delivering key skills sessions, helping the students to be successful in the world of work and start a meaningful career in Jacksonville. The program is delivered face to face by qualified facilitators and will be a mixture of life skills, technical learning and professional development. During the program, each student will work to:

  • Understand themselves and their skills

  • Learn the way to behave and succeed in a professional environment

  • See the range of opportunities for rewarding careers across Jacksonville

Positive destinations at the end of the program would be:

  • To complete a GED or high school eduaction

  • To enroll in a post-secondary program (trade school or college)

  • To be invited to an interview with a local employer

  • To start an internship

  • To start a career or apprenticeship with a local employer.

To offer your services or find out more, please email kate@jaxtpa.org and we can work out a time that works for you.

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Who Are The Students?
Who Are The Students?

The students in the program will be between 16-23 years old

All students must live in Duval County and most of them are known and supported by Family Support services, or the DJJ either as foster kids or economically disadvantaged young people.

Each cohort will serve 10 students and we aim to have 5 cohorts each year.

The students will have different educational backgrounds and we will work with each of them to better understand their transferable skills, find their voice and unlock their potential.

We are actively seeking to engage young people from under served communities, including but not limited to Black, Latinx, and other marginalized groups.

How Can You Be Involved?
How Can You Be Involved?

In order to ensure that the program is relevant for local young people, we are partnering with local employers to share their opportunities and what it is like to work there with the students. We want to have real examples of entry level roles at your company or in your sector. They don’t need to be immediately available, but would like them to be realistic and aspirational, giving students a tangible sense of the career paths, they can pursue.

Why Collaborate With Us?
Why Collaborate With Us?

Collaborating with us to support The Opportunity Project allows employers to actively engage with local young people, share their company culture, provide practical guidance, and inspire the next generation of talent. It presents an opportunity for employers to contribute to the development of young individuals, build meaningful connections, and potentially identify prospective candidates who align with their organizational values and goals.