Social Change Rockstar: Meet Wendi Oppenheim

From Opp-Guide.org

A few months ago on twitter I came across the Opp-Guide, a web based nonprofit that allows young people to explore and rate volunteer experiences. I love the idea of young people becoming more involved in community service and sharing their views so I asked Wendi Oppenheim, the executive director of the organization, for an interview.

If the idea behind the Opp-Guide doesn’t wow you, maybe Wendi will. She is a 10th grade honor student who started the Opp-Guide to Community Service 5 years ago. In addition to winning a $10,000 social media grant from Best Buy/Ashoka she also is the only sophomore sitting on the board of Alliance For A Healthier Generation, a joint-venture between the American Heart Association and the William Jefferson Clinton Foundation to get young people interested in healthier more active lifestyles.

Tell us about your organization:

I created and developed about five years ago, the Opp-Guide to Community Service, Inc. an on-line resource for youth to learn about service activities within their community. Modeled after the Zagat Guide which rates restaurants, the Opp-Guide “rates” service opportunities. Specifically, students complete an objective questionnaire and write reviews about their volunteer experience, thus enabling other youth to find compatible service activities of interest to them.

The Guide’s mission is to empower, educate, and motivate youth to volunteer and make a difference within their communities. Many schools require community service for high school graduation. Further, under the present Obama administration, service is encouraged not only for older students but also for middle-school students. The Guide tries to bridge the disconnect between youth who do not know where to volunteer and volunteer organizations seeking volunteers.

We were originally in print form which we sold to area high schools, libraries, adults, and youth, the proceeds of which were distributed to Hurricane relief efforts. After becoming a 501c3, we went on-line in order to capture a greater number of people as well as to expand to other communities.

What was the inspiration behind starting it?

The inspiration in forming the Guide was to close the gap between students and youth not knowing where to volunteer and matching them with compatible volunteer activities so that they would continue volunteering throughout their adulthood. By providing youth with the ability to review their service experience (which we verify and then post on-line), others receive candid, witty, and honest insight as to a particular volunteer activity.

We originally came up with this idea when we realized that other students do not know where to volunteer and that many youth view volunteering as “mandatory” as opposed to actually enjoying themselves.

What were the challenges in starting your own nonprofit and how did you deal with them?

Getting initial funding and publicity. We were fortunate in preparing and successfully obtaining seed money from youth based service organizations. After becoming a 501c3, we were able to seek private foundation resources. As for publicity, we have been using a wide range of internet based social modes to “spread” the word.

What resources have been helpful in creating and maintaining this organization?

The internet and partnerships with other nonprofits as well as youth based ventures have helped sustain us.

How do you balance going to school while running a non-profit?

It has been challenging having to contend with a rigorous academic schedule as well as other extracurricular pursuits; however, having a strong Board and being able to organize time are helpful!

What advice would you give to a young person wanting to start a nonprofit?

Although it may be a bit overwhelming when you may consider the amount of time and effort that a nonprofit needs in order to exist (as well as funding to be able to sustain itself), as long as you are passionate about what you are interested in, you will be successful!

If you are interested in learning more about the opp-guide or helping out you can send an email through their website.