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World of Opportunity director Steve Orel dies of cancer at 53

Steve Orel was the heart and soul of the WOO but he shared his vision and others in the community are ready to continue his work.

In lieu of flowers: Please contribute to:
The World of Opportunity (WOO)
7429 Georgia Road
Birmingham, Alabama 35212

Help keep the dream alive.

by Amy Gordon

Steve Orel, who touched countless lives through his work at the World of Opportunity adult education and job readiness program in Gate City, died Saturday of cancer. He was 53.

Mr. Orel, who had worked at WOO for around 10 years and was a co-director, was the foundation of the program's success, said Jerome Beasley, WOO's other co-director.

"He was everything to this program," Beasley said. "He was the heart and soul of it."

Before Mr. Orel began working with WOO, he worked with adult education in area public schools and was concerned about the high number of students who either dropped out or were dismissed from Birmingham schools, Beasley said. That concern led him to devote more time to preparing these students for the future, Beasley said.

He began working full-time with WOO around 2000, Beasley said.

Seventy-five students have earned their GED, with three more waiting to take the test, Beasley said. Around 45 students have gone on to college, he said. Even without Mr. Orel, WOO's workers are determined to carry on.

"We're going to continue on and continue to educate people," Beasley said. "We have an open-door policy here. Anyone who needs our help, we give it."

The program provides health care training, GED training and computer training as well as necessities such as food, clothes and books.

There will not be a funeral for Mr. Orel, his wife said. Instead, the family will hold two memorial services, with one at the WOO headquarters on Georgia Road in Gate City. The memorial services will be in a few weeks, she said.

Mr. Orel will be remembered as an educator for those who almost gave up on education, said Valerie Abbott, a member of the Birmingham City Council whose district includes Gate City.

"He has given people who have dropped out of city schools or who have been forced out of education another opportunity," Abbott said. "He has touched the lives of literally hundreds of young people in Birmingham. And we'll miss him." News staff writer William Singleton III contributed to this story. agordon@bhamnews.com

— Amy Gordon
Birmingham News
2007-07-11
http://www.al.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news/1184143692294250.xml&coll=2

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