Alternative Gift Market
Visit us at this annual Alternative Gift Market and find the perfect items for your loved ones while supporting a good cause.
Holiday Gift Wrapping at Copperfield’s Books
From December 15th to 24th, OTW will provide gift-wrapping services at Copperfield’s Books in San Rafael (4th Street ) and Larkspur ( Marin Country Mart).
Save the Date - OTW Annual Dinner Silent Auction
Save the date for our next Annual Dinner Silent Auction! The theme will be Peru as we plan to travel there in the summer of 2025.
2025 Annual Trip I — Peru
(OTW Participants Only)
OTW participants approved to travel internationally will visit Peru in June of 2025 and learn about the country’s rich culture and history.
OTW Community Social in the Park
(Open to OTW participants, alumni, staff, friends, family, and the Marin Community)
Join OTW participants, alumni, staff and the larger OTW community as we gather for food and fun at various parks throughout Marin. Bring your friends and family! All are welcome. There will be games, art activities, and plenty of food and beverages.
RSVP Required: Email jeannine@openingtheworld.org or call (415) 419-9695 if you wish to participate in this event.
OTW 2024 Annual Fall Retreat (Required)
(OTW Participants Only)
OTW’s Annual Fall Retreat is designed to build community and facilitate bonding between new participants, alumni, and staff, by deepening our understanding of ourselves and each other.
OTW Community Social in the Park
(Open to OTW participants, alumni, staff, friends, family, and the Marin Community)
Join OTW participants, alumni, staff and the larger OTW community as we gather for food and fun at various parks throughout Marin. Bring your friends and family! All are welcome. There will be games, art activities, and plenty of food and beverages.
RSVP Required: Email jeannine@openingtheworld.org or call (415) 419-9695 if you wish to participate in this event.
2024-2025 OTW Program Year Interviews
(Open to Marin County 16-26-year-olds)
Interviews for the 2024-2025 OTW Program Year will take place during the last two weeks of September. If you or someone you know is between the ages of 16 and 26 and interested in joining a community of peers, please consider applying.
61st Annual Marin Century (Community Service)
(Volunteers Needed)
Need community service hours? Support our community and the planet! OTW volunteers for the Marin Century annually as part of the event’s “green team” which helps collect and recycle garbage and keeps the grounds clean.
It will be a full day of fun in the sun with your OTW community. Food and beverages provided.
Bring a hat, water bottle, and sunscreen. Be sure to wear sturdy closed-toe shoes with good support.
RSVP Required: Contact Jeannine Curley at (415) 419-9695 or Jeannine@openingtheworld.org.
2024-2025 OTW Program Year Applications Accepted
(Open to Marin County 16-26-year-olds)
Applications for the 2024-2025 OTW Program Year will be accepted from August 1 to September 15. If you or someone you know is between the ages of 16 and 26 and interested in joining a community of peers, please consider applying.
2024 Annual Trip — Arizona
(OTW Participants Only)
This year, we have coordinated 2 trips for our participants. We have been invited back by the Diné Navajo in Window Rock, Arizona, to support their annual Sundance ceremony. We will stay on the reservation and help with various tasks including cooking for the elders, drummers, and firekeepers for the week. This moving ceremony is a community gathering for spiritual cleansing and healing.
2024 Annual Trip — Japan
(OTW Participants Only)
OTW participants approved to travel internationally will visit Japan in June of 2024 and learn about the country’s rich culture and history.
2024 Annual Fairfax Festival
Be sure to visit us at the Annual Fairfax Festival where we will be manning the jumpy house and henna station. We will also have a stall where we will be selling various items from our previous international trips and much more.
NOTE: All proceeds raised by OTW will be used to fund our annual trips.
FREE Women’s Writing Workshop
(Open to Marin County Girls & Young Adult Women ages 16-26)
Join us for a FREE, 8-week memoir and personal essay writing workshop taught by freelance journalist and writer, Ronnie Cohen.
Classes will be held every Wednesday evening from 6:00-7:00 p.m. beginning May 29th.
RSVP Required: Contact Jeannine Curley at jeannine@openingtheworld.org or (415) 419-9695.
OTW Community Social in the Park
(Open to OTW participants, alumni, staff, friends, family, and the Marin Community)
Join OTW participants, alumni, staff and the larger OTW community as we gather for food and fun at various parks throughout Marin. Bring your friends and family! All are welcome. There will be games, art activities, and plenty of food and beverages.
RSVP Required: Email jeannine@openingtheworld.org or call (415) 419-9695 if you wish to participate in this event.
Financial Class
(Open to young adults ages 16-26)
Participants in this class will learn about credit card interest, savings and checking accounts, and different types of investing including, for retirement.
OTW Community Social in the Park
(Open to OTW participants, alumni, staff, friends, family, and the Marin Community)
Join OTW participants, alumni, staff and the larger OTW community as we gather for food and fun at various parks throughout Marin. Bring your friends and family! All are welcome. There will be games, art activities, and plenty of food and beverages.
RSVP Required: Email jeannine@openingtheworld.org or call (415) 419-9695 if you wish to participate in this event.
Healing Circle
(Open to Marin County Youth Under 18)
During this 2-hour class, participants will be guided on a discovery journey where they will learn how to connect and work with healing elements. Participants will learn about smudging techniques that help clear negative energy and create a calm atmosphere. We will also work with the gentle yet powerful energy of crystal healing to help participants relax, focus, and find emotional balance. Participants will be guided into a sound bath which will help release tension and quiet the mind from day-to-day life experiences.
Youth Insight Group
OTW is looking for youth and young adults ages 16 to 26 for a group in which participants will be asked to share their experiences and provide insight on how service providers can better serve Marin County’s young people.
Each participant will receive a $50 stipend per meeting.
The group will be held the first Monday of the month for one year starting May 6th.
If you or someone you know would be interested in participating, please have them email jeannine@openingtheworld.org or (415) 419-9695.
Youth & Young Adult Listening Session
Let your voice be heard! Join us to share your opinion on what resources that are available to you work and what needs improvement.
Since we value your time and feedback, participants will receive a $50 stipend.
If you or a youth you know would like to participate, please contact Jeannine Curley at jeannine@openingtheworld.org or (415) 419-9695.
Latin American Concert
(OTW participants and alumni only)
OTW participants and alumni will attend a concert in Santa Rosa with Grammy nominee, Gina Chavez, and Grammy winner, Flor De Toloache (an all-female mariachi band).
43rd Annual California Academic Decathlon
OTW participants will travel to Santa Clara to volunteer as speech and interview judges for the 45th Annual California State Academic Decathlon. There will be high school representation from 49 California counties and over 450 high school youth. Before this school year ends, the four highest-scored teams will travel to Washington D.C. to compete in the National Academic Decathlon.
Escape Room Adventure
Escape Room Adventure
(OTW participants and alumni only)
Join us for an evening of mystery and fun as we try to work together to escape from a room using clues we find along the way.
OTW's 11th Annual Dinner Auction
Join us for an evening filled with inspiration, community, great food, and a silent auction. Bring your friends, family, and colleagues! This event is coordinated by and directly benefits Marin County youth (16-26).
Holiday Gift Wrapping
Throughout the month of December OTW will be gift wrapping to raise funding for our programs. Please visit us at Copperfield’s in San Rafael or Larkspur to support us and let us wrap your gifts!
Advent Gift Market
Visit us at this annual Advent Gift Market and find just the right gift for your loved ones.
VOTE NOW! Marin Participatory Budget
Marin County is making $2.5 Million available for programs that will benefit YOU! Opening the World (OTW), in partnership with Youth Transforming Justice (YTJ), has been chosen as one of the projects to be considered on the Participatory Budgeting ballot. We depend on your vote to be awarded funding. Voting takes place from October 25 to December 29.
Please visit the website pb.marincounty.org to learn how to vote. And please encourage your colleagues, family, and friends who live or work in Marin County to vote for us too!
OTW 2023 Annual Fall Retreat
(OTW Participants Only)
OTW’s Annual Fall Retreat is designed to build community and facilitate bonding between new participants, alumni, and staff, by deepening our understanding of ourselves and each other.
2023-2024 OTW Program Year Interviews
(Open to Marin County 16-26-year-olds)
Interviews for the 2023-2024 OTW Program Year will take place during the last two weeks of September. If you or someone you know is between the ages of 16 and 26 and interested in joining a community of peers, please consider applying.
Marin Century 2023
OTW will volunteer to help the Marin Century cycling event again this year at Stafford Lake as part of the “green team” which helps collect and recycle garbage and keeps the grounds and bathrooms clean.
2023-2024 OTW Program Year Applications Accepted
(Open to Marin County 16-26-year-olds)
Applications for the 2023-2024 OTW Program Year will be accepted from August 1 until mid-September. If you or someone you know is between the ages of 16 and 26 and interested in joining a community of peers, please consider applying.
2023 Annual Trip — Morocco, Portugal, Spain (Part 2)
(OTW Participants Only)
This year, we have coordinated 2 trips for our participants. Our second trip will take us to Morocco and Portugal. In Morocco, we will stay in Marrakesh and Fes, visit a Berber village, and spend some time in the desert and at the beach. In Portugal, we will explore Lisbon’s historic sites and the beautiful coast. In Spain, we will visit the Alhambra in Granada.
2023 Annual Trip — Arizona (Part 1)
(OTW Participants Only)
This year, we have coordinated 2 trips for our participants. We have been invited back by the Diné Navajo in Window Rock, Arizona, to support their annual Sundance ceremony. We will stay on the reservation and help with various tasks including building out their outdoor kitchen and cooking for the elders, drummers, and firekeepers for the duration of the week. This moving ceremony is a community gathering for spiritual cleansing and healing.
On our way home, we will visit Antelope Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Zion National Park and volunteer at a no kill animal shelter.
Car Basics Class
Do you know how to change a tire? Do you know how to check your oil? How to jump-start a car? Join us and learn how to perform basic car maintenance that will make you feel prepared and confident on the road. Space is limited. RSVP required. Drinks and snacks will be provided.
Ages: 14-18
Cost: Free
Facilitator: Lorrie Narcisse
RSVP: Contact us at (415) 419-9695 or at jeannine@openingtheworld.org.
Location Note: Please enter at the back of the building on Mission Ave.