Partner Programs
Opportunity Camp
Opportunity Camp represents a unique partnership of government, business, Church and community leaders dedicated to serving the disadvantaged children of many counties across the US, including Contra Costa County, California The entire staff and board of directors are unpaid volunteers. Funding for camp is provided through fundraisers, grants and many individual donations.Celebrating its 50th Year, Opportunity Camp has been operated continuously by the Church of Christ, supported by the broader communities in which the Camps are located.
Join Opportunity Camp in helping Contra Costa County families in need to stay safe and food-secure through the COVID-19 crisis.
Teaming Up with VillageUp Foundation
Through VillageUp’s Disaster Relief for Families program, Opportunity Camp will offer a VillageUp Visa Payments Card, loaded with donated funds help the families of participating children buy food and essentials. The program provides participants with safe, secure, financial relief from the burden of not having funds for food and essentials, and is planned to run for at least the next 90 days as the COVID-19 crisis runs its course.
A Personal Connection with a Proven Non-Profit
For VillageUp creator and visionary Dwayne Jones, partnering with Opportunity Camp brings a history of caring and support full circle. In 1969, Pearl Lackey, Dwayne’s great grandmother, attended the Richmond Church of Christ and participated with many others in raising money for Opportunity Camp through bake sales and other activities. After the nearby San Leandro Church of Christ founded their Opportunity Camp in June of 1970, Dwayne’s mother went on to served as a volunteer cook and Dwayne served as a counselor and cook over 30 years. Most recently, Dwayne’s quadruplet children have also attended as volunteer kitchen crew—and were looking forward to serving as camp counselors this year.[1] Starting with Great Grandma Lackey’s famous mayonnaise cake, five generations of the Jones family have been proud to support the community through Opportunity Camp.
Building Beyond the Pilot
Opportunity Camp has deep roots in Contra Costa County. Under the leadership of Executive Director Ken Cheda and others who grew up in the Walnut Creek and other San Francisco Bay Area Churches of Christ, VillageUp and Opportunity Camp look forward to developing a local model that can expand to Opportunity Camps across the US, including Lubbock, Midland and Mineral Springs, Texas and many others. There is additional expansion of the Disaster Relief for Families model through other organizations , including thos)e affiliated with the Church of Christ, i(e.g. Pepperdine University)
Launch a Program
Launch a New Program to accelerate financial relief to other populations in need—using the power of convenient, scalable and accountable VillageUp payments cards. VillageUp Foundation exists to support Contra Costa County charities and government agencies of all kinds and sizes.