“OPBI is an outstanding organization — their integrated approach to meeting the needs of both girls and boys is both thoughtful and effective. I wish every community had this kind of resource.”

Michael Gurian, Author of The Wonder of Boys and The Wonder of Girls

“The programs that OPBI are providing in schools, with a focus on supporting boys and girls through their innovative gender-specific curricula, are absolutely critical to helping boys develop the skills they need to become successful men.”

Peg Tyre, Author of The Trouble With Boys: A Surprising Report Card On Our Sons, Their Problems at School and What Parents & Educators Must Do

Our Programs

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, OPBI can offer the following programs in our community.

In Schools:
Revealing Inner Strengths through Empowerment (RISE) is an exciting program that focuses on preventing bullying and violence, building self-esteem; learning tools for positive peer relationships; and developing leadership – all through a gender-specific lens! Trained facilitators from OPBI deliver the program using carefully crafted, nationally researched curricula and best practices. For more information contact Anna Abella.

Rise 10 is an option for any school that would like to have a 10-12 session program for a select group of 6th grade boys and/or girls, during or after school. This version has more flexibility, and can be offered once per week, rather than daily. This may be ideal for pull-out groups, after-school groups, clubs, part of the AVID program, or part of a leadership program. For more information contact Anna Abella.

Rise Saturated is implemented daily in several Hillsborough County Public Schools on the 6th grade elective wheel, meaning that all 6th graders have an opportunity to participate in this program. This more intensive version also includes a leadership component, through with youth develop and participate in a special advocacy project, spreading the message about one of the core focus areas of RISE. Program Facilitators also serve as liaisons to relevant administrators, faculty members, and teachers, and they coordinate parent and teacher outreach efforts such as educational workshops and presentations. Parent involvement events may include breakfasts, parent/child workshops, appreciation ceremonies, or other kinds of celebrations. For more information contact Anna Abella.

In the Community:
Girls on the Run is a 12 week experiential afterschool program for girls in the 3rd through 8th grade. The mission of Girls on the Run is to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Girls on the Run (GOTR) combines training for a 5K (3.1 miles) running event with fun and uplifting lessons that build girls’ self-esteem and encourage positive physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being. Girls on the Run is open to girls of all fitness levels and is offered at private and public schools and other community sites. For more information contact Nikki Stokes.

In the Classroom:
Read John's Story Read Kennedy's Story

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