Opportunity Center for the Homeless celebrates 30 years

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Opportunity Center for the Homeless is inviting the community to celebrate 30 years of operations.

The Opportunity Center is presenting an open house event from 9 a.m. to 4 pm. on Friday, April 26 at 1208 Myrtle Ave. There will be a special presentation by U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, at 9:30 a.m. according to the news release.

According to the Opportunity Center, it is the largest network of emergency shelters, and transitional and permanent housing options in El Paso.

The open house is an opportunity for the community to explore the facility, meet with the founder Ray Tullius and staff, and have a guided tour, according to Opportunity Center.

Richard Rivera, a client of the Opportunity Center, is a veteran who served in the military for 15 years, but got caught up in drugs and went to jail.

“I fell into drugs, substance-use disorders and alcoholism and stuff like that. I ended up going to jail. When I got out of jail, I really didn’t have anything at all. I was homeless, ” Rivera said.

Rivera said that the Opportunity Center and its services has helped him get back on his feet.

“I’ve given up all my old bad habits and developing new positive habits. Being here at the OC, I was able to use their rapid rehousing and they (Opportunity Center) got me a nice apartment –paid-for apartment with furniture and the whole deal,” Rivera said.

“Having that (the apartment) with my finances in order, I’ll be able to start over. Just to do regular things people do, like pay your bills, go get a cup of coffee, go shopping, take walks in the park, going hiking, stuff like that,” Rivera said.

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