Nonprofit supports NYC students to achieve college dreams

NEW YORK (PIX11) — A local nonprofit is helping over 1,000 high school students in New York City every year achieve their dream of going to college.

One such student is 21-year-old Casey Rivera, an NYU Stern School of Business senior.

Rivera will be the first in her family to graduate college. With her degree, she hopes to help her family and the community.

Rivera says sometimes when sitting in class at one of the best business schools in the country, she has to pinch herself. From Corona, Queens, Rivera grew up with a large Ecuadorian family.

She says her drive and ambition come from her rich upbringing. She admits that with language barriers and financial obstacles, she needed help navigating the college system. Fortunately, a nonprofit organization called The Opportunity Network intervened and provided her with various forms of assistance, including helping her apply for financial aid and access to mental health support.

Lucria Ortiz is the president and CEO of The Opportunity Network. She says she is driven by her own story and knows what it is like to overcome obstacles to go to college.

Ortiz grew up in public housing with a single mom. She remembers having to create her own community.

Now, her focus is opening doors for people with similar paths. From helping with college admissions to landing internships, 90 percent lead to high-paying jobs. Ortiz says her goal is creating generational wealth and nourishing the next generation of leaders.

Since 2003, The Opportunity Network has helped coach and mentor more than 1,000 high school students each year.

Rivera will be graduating in May 2025 and feels her career possibilities are now endless.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.