About Us
Who we are and why we do this work
Opportunity Arc Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, California, working to expand access to the skills, knowledge, and employment resources that create lasting economic opportunity.
Our Mission
Expanding pathways to skills, work, and opportunity
Opportunity Arc Foundation expands access to skills, knowledge, and employment resources that help individuals build pathways to meaningful work and long-term economic mobility.
We believe that every person deserves a fair shot at economic stability. When people have access to the right skills and the right resources — at the right time — they can build careers that change their lives and strengthen their communities.
Our work focuses on the practical barriers that stand between motivated individuals and real opportunity: gaps in digital literacy, limited access to job-ready skills training, and difficulty navigating the complex landscape of available workforce programs.
Why This Work Matters
The barriers we work to remove
In Los Angeles, economic opportunity is unevenly distributed. We focus on the specific barriers that prevent individuals from accessing the workforce on fair terms.
As more jobs require basic digital literacy — from sending emails to using software tools — workers without these skills are increasingly locked out. We help close this gap with accessible, practical digital education.
The skills employers need are shifting rapidly. Many job seekers have the drive but lack access to the specific, practical training that makes them competitive. We connect people to training that is employer-relevant and career-ready.
Los Angeles has significant public workforce infrastructure — but it can be difficult to find and navigate. We make it easier for people to understand what's available and how to access it.
Professional networks remain one of the strongest predictors of employment success. We work to ensure that individuals without established networks can still access pathways to real opportunities.
What We Believe
Our values
These principles guide how we work and who we are as an organization.
Access is a right, not a privilege
Every person deserves access to the skills and resources needed for economic stability, regardless of their background, education level, or current circumstances.
Practical over theoretical
We focus on skills and resources that have real, immediate value in the job market — not abstract preparation, but practical tools people can use right now.
Dignity and respect in all interactions
We engage with every individual as a full person with their own goals, strengths, and potential. Our work is always people-first.
Community-centered approach
We work with the communities we serve, not just for them. Local knowledge, partnerships, and trust are at the heart of everything we do.
Transparency and accountability
We hold ourselves accountable to the people we serve, to our funders, and to the communities of Los Angeles. We are honest about what we know and what we're still learning.
Long-term economic mobility
We measure success not just by short-term job placement, but by whether people are building genuine pathways to lasting economic stability and mobility.
How We Work
Our approach
We take a holistic approach to workforce development — addressing multiple dimensions of the challenge at once.
Identify
We identify individuals facing barriers to employment and understand their specific needs, goals, and circumstances.
Connect
We connect people to the right skills training, educational resources, and workforce programs for their situation and goals.
Support
We provide ongoing support and navigation help so people can move through the process toward meaningful, stable employment.
Where We Work
Rooted in Los Angeles
Opportunity Arc Foundation is based in Los Angeles, California — one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the United States, and one where economic inequality remains a persistent challenge.
We focus our work on Los Angeles County, connecting individuals to a network of resources that spans the city's diverse communities and neighborhoods.
Los Angeles has a rich ecosystem of workforce development infrastructure — WorkSource Centers, public libraries, community colleges, and county programs. Our role is to help people navigate and access this ecosystem effectively.
