Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow Continuing Education Online

Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow has transitioned to online classes so students can keep learning.

Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT), a longtime partner in CWE’s Jobs to Build On program, works to end the cycle of poverty though education, job training, and employment. Those services have only become more necessary for their mostly-immigrant community during the COVID-19 public emergency.
 
In March, OBT followed the lead of the New York City Department of Education and closed its physical locations and shifted its classes and programs online. OBT has quickly adapted to remote teaching and working, and so have their ESOL, high school equivalency, digital literacy, and job training students. Many participants remain committed to continuing their education and attend class via Google Classrooms, Google Hangouts, and Zoom. They are able to meet in small groups or one-on-one through WhatsApp video and phone conferencing. OBT’s Employment Team has also been trained to provide remote case management services and support to its clients around access to benefits like unemployment and immigration assistance.
 
OBT also created a COVID-19 emergency fund, which has received $13,000 in donations and has helped more than 80 families with groceries, diapers, medical care and other essentials.