About this user
Co-opportunity, Inc., a Hartford-based nonprofit organization, was founded in 1987 to create neighborhood stability and economic prosperity by increasing the income, earnings and wealth of low- and moderate-income individuals and families.
The agency's focus on economic security, families having enough income to meet basic needs and sufficient reserves to weather unexpected financial crises, is rooted in the simple belief that families who work hard and play by the rules should always have the opportunity to get ahead. We know that successful families have children who are healthier, better educated and who stay out of trouble. And successful families contribute positively to their community, the economy and to society.
Today, our mission is fulfilled through a broader array of programs that focus on workforce development, financial education and counseling, and asset building. In 1997, Co-opportunity launched YouthBuild Hartford to address employability issues facing disengaged young adults. In 1999 the agency became a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and in 2000 Co-opportunity was a founding partner in the Hartford Asset Building Collaborative. Today, with an annual budget of $2.3 million, Co-opportunity employs 20 full-time staff. The agency is governed by an twelve member board of directors led by Thomas A. Kyzivat, an attorney with the Hartford Financial Services Group. Donna Taglianetti has served as the agency's Executive Director for six years and has worked for over 25 years in Hartfords nonprofit sector.
Annually, Co-opportunity serves 6,000 individuals and families primarily from Hartford and its surrounding suburbs. Client demographics roughly mirror Hartfords population: 44% are Black, 39% are Hispanic and 9% are Caucasian. 93% of our clients have incomes under 200% of the federal poverty line. Women make up the majority of our clients.
Co-opportunity has received awards for its efforts from organizations as diverse as the Connecticut Mortgage Bankers Association and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. The agency was recognized as a high performing organization in 2006 when it received a Neighborhood Builder from Bank of Americas Neighborhood Excellence Initiative. This year our Budget Coaching Program, one of 10 initiatives selected for inclusion in the National Community Tax Coalitions Asset Building Products & Practices Resource Guide, was honored to have been selected from hundreds of entries from around the country as the United Way of Americas Best Practice for Improving the Common Good.
Hometown
Hartford, CT
Country
United States
CoopportunityInc
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