OPI welcomes young men and women ages 17-25 who are willing to commit to finding a sense of balance in their lives and their place as responsible members of society.

OPI is Suitable for Young Men and Women Who

• Could benefit from additional support whether they are leaving home for the first time and going to college, transitioning from a therapeutic boarding school, treatment facility or wilderness program or who have had difficulty completing high school or college.

• Want to make a single, seamless transition to a metropolitan area and need educational and/or tutorial support in order to define a career or complete educational objectives whether it’s high school, junior college or a four-year university.

• Might benefit from a structured living program that teaches independent living skills and allows participants to transition to minimal supervision while maintaining support and learning to find balance based on real life experiences.

• Need support or specialized services to deal with learning disabilities, social skills development or who need help with prioritization and organizational skills.

• Need support or specialized services to deal with continued efforts to maintain their sobriety, remain drug free and find direction and meaning in their lives.

• Need to explore emotional issues that may have distracted them from achieving their goals or successful independence.

• Want to learn through real life experiences. As participants explore their own interests or define career/educational direction they often meet members of the greater L.A. community from areas such as the arts, business, medicine or science who share their sense of excitement and understanding.

Other OPI Objectives

• We help participants realize their educational goals. We help them define their interests, finish high school or get a GED and help them select a college/university as well as which courses to take.

• We help participants define career objectives.

• OPI is appropriate for young adults who have enjoyed or who wish to experience “giving back,” whether it’s assisting the elderly, young children or animals, feeding the homeless, cleaning up beaches, etc.

• OPI participants may engage in physical activities such as swimming, physical conditioning, martial arts, or surfing.

• OPI participants can explore ways to manage anxiety and find a balance by participating in activities such as meditation, visualization/relaxation exercises, or martial arts.

• OPI helps participants transform and re-define their place in their own family by finding a new set of shared expectations and goals. 

• OPI provides a new network of family, peers, adults and mentors that is available to participants throughout their stay in the greater Los Angeles area or for as long as they need it.

OPI isn't suitable for young adults with an Axis II diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder.

OPI isn’t suitable for those young adults who have used heroin or other opiates or who are in Stage 4 substance abuse characterized by escalating use of alcohol, drugs or “hard drugs”  accompanied by deteriorating physical condition and inability to control use.

OPI isn’t suitable for those unable to provide care and supervision of their living space or who can’t responsibly monitor or dispense their own prescribed medications.

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