Operation Fly Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was originally formed to serve the inner-city population within Washington, D.C., and its surrounding metropolitan area. They impact their community by coordinating myriad events for the homeless and providing programs for underprivileged students and their schools.
It serves as a national organization that spans 3 branches in New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. To achieve these goals, the organization strives to pass out food to the homeless; to coordinate events such as banquets and events/programs for the homeless and economically underprivileged; and to provide for the general welfare of the inner-city underprivileged.
The program currently employs several students from different schools across the United States and Canada as volunteers and also strives to instill a stronger sense of altruism in the community through these volunteer efforts by fostering valuable leadership characteristics. Every aspect of this organization is student-led from fundraising, to event management, to public relations, to even corporate governance.
History
After more than two years in planning, Operation Fly Inc. was founded in 2007 by Timothy Hwang and Minsoo Han (both students from Thomas S. Wootton High School) in an effort to combat the growing poverty rate within the Washington DC Area. Currently in its starting years of operation, the organization employs several members from students all across Maryland State. As an all student-led organization, Operation Fly Inc. provides a "fresh new face to the war against poverty". Today, the organization has grown to encompass several branches across the nation. In the next five years, the organization is planning to expand to Detroit, Los Angeles, and Houston. While many of these branches are no longer active, Operation Fly is looking to rebuild these connections. It has collaborated with numerous student governments and churches (New Covenant Fellowship Church, Global Mission Church, etc.). The organization was most recently led by Arda Sahiner, who is now a student at UC Berkeley.
It was recently given much attention for an award given by Ernst & Young and Junior Achievement of the National Capital Area.
Operation Fly was recently a coalition partner in the Thomas S. Wootton High School Student Government's 'Spring Project', a part of a 'Rock the Vote' concert trying to engage students into being civically active. The concert was held April 28, 2012 and hosted by CNN's John King.
Motto
Its slogan is "Soar to New Possibilities". Its motto is "Service Through Leadership".
Mission, vision, goals
Their strategic plan claims the following and has the following goals:
"We provide the only completely student-run programs that target the inner-city and train student leaders simultaneously.
The best student-run organization that targets the inner-city in the USThe only international student-run organization that targets the inner-cityThe only student-run organization that provides scholarship programs for the inner-cityThe best student-run training program for public service in the USThe largest student-run organization that addresses poverty and inner-city issues
The cheapest tutoring programs in the metropolitan area whose profits go to the inner-city.The most innovative and fastest homeless student-run collection and distribution programsThe best leadership and financial literacy training programs by students in the USThe most effective and most innovative scholarship and tutoring programs by studentsThe most diverse amount of programs for any student-led non-profit organization"
Mission Part 1: Helping the Community Operation Fly Inc. has identified three groups of people in need inside Washington DC. Group 1: The HomelessGroup 2: The Financially Challenged StudentsGroup 3: People/Families struggling physically or financially
Each group will be targeted with specific action plans developed by either the Board of Directors or Department of Event ManagementGroup 1: Homeless Visitations/Food DonationsGroup 2: Scholarship Program, Tutoring ProgramsGroup 3: General Events depending on the constituency
Mission Part 2: Leadership Training Trait 1: AltruismTrait 2: DedicationTrait 3: VisionTrait 4: Responsibility
To change the hearts, minds, and lifestyles of this generation through a radical change in their perspective of this world.