Dustin Phillips For ORS
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Opportunity Resource ServicesPlease give to ORS. We empower Texans to break the cycle of poverty through education & support.
$2,150
raised by 4 people
$1,200 goal
Like many of our participants, I was a first-generation college student from West Texas. I was the first in my immediate family to earn a bachelor’s degree. My father had returned to community college when I was young and became a registered nurse, and my mother went back to school later in life, eventually becoming a software engineer.
I also know what it’s like to experience poverty. My parents always made sure my needs were met, but there were times that we relied on food stamps, had very little, and learned to make it work. Education changed everything for me—just as it has for so many of our participants. It opened the door to better jobs, increased income, financial security, improved health, and a better future for my children.
I believe deeply in the work we do at Opportunity Resource Services because I have personally experienced the life-changing power of higher education. Thank you for considering a gift to support our mission and help us continue serving communities across North Texas.
Be a Disruptor! Disrupt Generational Poverty!
Opportunity Resource Services (ORS) is on a mission to break the cycle of generational poverty in Texas. We empower vulnerable teens and adults—especially first-generation college students, low-income individuals, and those involved with the criminal justice system—to obtain credentials of value, secure gainful employment, and achieve social mobility.
Help Us Tackle Critical Challenges:
- Texas Poverty Rate: 13.7% of Texans are living in poverty, impacting over 4.1 million individuals.
- Future Job Market: 65% of jobs in the future will require education beyond high school.
- Educational Disparity: 31.5% of Texans have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Cycle of Poverty: Families that have lived in poverty for two generations or more are experiencing generational poverty, a cycle that is extremely hard to break.
Your Support Allows Us To Provide:
Educational Programming - Our programs guide participants from high school through postsecondary education programs. We want every North Texan to earn a high school degree or GED, a credential of value, and gain meaningful employment. Everyone should be self-sufficient and have the opportunity to advance themselves.
Individualized Support Services - We offer a wide range of services, including career guidance, GED support, tutorial services, college advising, financial aid counseling, scholarship application assistance, and financial literacy education. We tailor our approach and services to the needs of each person.
Mentorship and College Entry Assistance - Our dedicated team provides one-on-one career mentorship to help clients identify and connect to their best career path. We also help clients complete complex forms like college applications and the FAFSA, ensuring no participant navigates these processes alone.
Specialized Resources & Assistance - We provide year-round stipends and summer meals to address food scarcity among low-income teen participants. We also offer specialized college access and readiness services for individuals impacted by the criminal justice system, veterans, and military-connected populations.
No matter the starting point or situation, ORS is committed to helping the most vulnerable. Every North Texan should have access to earn credentials of value, secure gainful employment, and experience upward social mobility.