EOPS

Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS) is a state funded student support program designed to recruit and retain students who are economically,socially, and educationally disadvantaged. The services of EOPS are designed to give students individualized attention and support to improve their chances for success.

The mission of EOPS is to assist students in the development of their potential ability through academic support and financial assistance.

The Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (C.A.R.E) program was established to provide "over and over" assistance for EOPS students who receive TANF/Cal Works, are single head of household, with children 14 years old and younger, to break the welfare-dependency cycle by completing college-level educational and training programs, and therefore, become more employable and economically self-sufficient.

The Story Behind the Nickel and the Nail

       The story goes that a young man, years ago in the deep South, walking down a long, unpaved, dusty road to visit his lady friend, was all to aware that he had but a nickel in his pocket and that his self-esteem would be questioned if he were unable to indicate that he was a man of means. Noticing two gnarled horseshoe nails lying by the side of the road, he picked them up and put them in his pocket. As he jingled these ferrous objects together with his meager fortune, he walked a little big straighter and with a little more pride and dignity.

       Similarly, the Extended Opportunity Program endeavors to enhance self esteem, foster pride and dignity, and motivate those whom the program serves, enabling them to more effectively define and pursue career goals. It is important that they too have "something to jingle". Further, the nails are twisted into a puzzle, suggesting that the complete enigma has still yet to be unraveled for helping those who, through societal circumstances, have been limited in successfully meeting their educational challenge.