In this episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael welcomed the key figures from Opportunity Scholars, a promising non-profit organization dedicated to connecting individuals to jobs and education in the Shenandoah Valley. Joining her were Rachel Schaefer, CEO of Opportunity Scholars, Caroline Brown, Director of Development and Growth, and Shonda Avis, HR Manager for Holtzman Oil and Propane.

Rachel opened the discussion by providing an overview of what Opportunity Scholars is all about. "Opportunity Scholars is an organization that connects individuals to jobs and to education. We take people who are unemployed or underemployed and come from low to middle-income families and help connect them to employment and help connect them to an education." She emphasized the organization's growth since its inception in 2019 and the positive impact it's had on the community. Rachel conveyed her gratitude to partners like Holtzman Corp for their invaluable support.

Janet highlighted the success and the critical role partnerships play in the expansion of Opportunity Scholars. She noted that while some organizations struggle with expansion, Opportunity Scholars is prospering, thanks to their strategic alliances with various businesses and educational institutions.

Caroline delved deeper into the organization's growth strategy, particularly highlighting their expansion into Shenandoah County, thanks to a generous gift from Bill Holtzman. "We are very focused on career and technical education because let's face it – we are seeing critical shortages in everything from HVAC to electrical, to nursing," Brown stated. She emphasized the importance of their partnerships with local schools, businesses, and the need for a dedicated coach to support their scholars.

Shonda shed light on the diversity of opportunities within Holtzman Corp and the mutual benefits of their partnership with Opportunity Scholars. Avis elaborated on how the corporation's support aligns with Holtzman's community-focused ethos, providing a healthy pipeline of qualified candidates for various roles within their extensive business operations.

The conversation also touched upon the significance of community engagement and the importance of local support. Shonda highlighted Holtzman's commitment to giving back to the community, noting Bill Holtzman's philosophy of attributing his business success to community support and his personal passion for education.

Rachel and Caroline both emphasized the need for local support to sustain and grow Opportunity Scholars. Caroline issued a plea for a new coach and highlighted the importance of community involvement in spreading the word about their mission. She encouraged everyone to engage with their social media platforms to stay updated and help spread the word.

Learn more about Opportunity Scholars on their website: https://opportunityscholars.org/ and by following them on Facebook.