OfC achieves its goal by providing instruction and experiential learning opportunities to a community of young people (junior high through college age) in Western Massachusetts. Students are guided and challenged by qualified and experienced instructors and financially and technically supported by the community of adult experts and donors. Sustainable development programs are designed and implemented in carefully selected target communities ranging from poor domestic to Third World communities. OfC brings these three communities together to help students acquire unique and practical skills.

OfC Students learn about and engage in the planning, execution and management of projects that provide rudimentary economic development potential within the partner communities. For example, OfC Students have designed and implemented in LaVega, Dominican Republic, a rent-to-own tool program, learning about the power of micro-lending while enhancing the employability of the loan recipients. We offer vocational training programs for children and young adults in Les Cayes, Haiti, enhancing their skills and employability.

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Whether in the US or at an International site, establishing trusting, long-term relationships with communities in which we base our curricular activities is critical to our ability to provide the instruction in planning and implementing effective community-based programs.