SCEP Grant to help provide 25 summer jobs at Hopeworks
Hopeworks has received a Summer Career Exploration Program grant from Philadelphia Youth Network. This grant will allow Hopeworks to employ 25 youth this summer. Youth will be involved primarily in GIS surveying and a team of youth will lead the Hope Through School Program. Another group of youth will work with AARC to collect valuable information from the people of Camden.

MOS Program to Begin at Hopeworks
Hopeworks, in conjunction with the Juvenile Justice Commission of New Jersey, will be offering Microsoft Office User Specialist training to youth. Hopeworks has been designated an official testing site for the MOS program. This industry recognized certification is a great opportunity for youth. Besides becoming adept at Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Access, Hopeworks youth will earn one unit of college credit for every level of specialization that they achieve.

Summer Leadership Development:  Colorado here we come!

9 Hopeworks youth and 4 staff will participate in a team building and leadership program in the mountains of Colorado this June.  The program, run by Meet The Wilderness, provides high mountain backpacking trips into the wilderness areas of Colorado. Hopeworks' youth will spend five days in the wilderness, backpacking, rock climbing, ascending a high peak, learning about our natural environment, and how to live outdoors. In addition to the physical journey, there will be the inner journey to help develop better life and leadership skills and learn more about ourselves and those around us. Tasks will be done in community for daily living needs. In addition, there will be group discussions, journaling, solo time for reflection, campfire activities, games, storytelling, and time for exploring and relaxing.

College Tours
Kathleen Deitch, Hopeworks Formation Director, took 4 youth on a college tour of both Temple University and St. Joseph University. The tour was great and all youth had a fabulous time dreaming of college and the many opportunities that await them!

Congrats to Rodney Taylor and Kevin Johnson
On April 7th, Rodney passed the basic skills placement test and is now eligible to attend Camden County College. Congrats to Rodney and to Tywana Kiyaga, our Hopeworks College Bound teacher.

Kevin, a former Hopeworks trainee is now working with the Housing Authority of Camden. Kevin is helping to renovate buildings in Branch Village--a neighborhood in Camden. Nice going Kevin!

Board Orientation
Hopeworks held its first board orientation for our four new board members.  Thanks to Frank Cook, Daria Chacon and Kathleen Deitch, our new 175 page board manual is in place a source of essential information for our board members. 

Tax Season Is Over

During the past four months, Hopeworks trainees Patrick Belefanti, Patrice Williams and Jordan Peters have provided software support to the Rand Institute. Hopeworks made over 40 office visits to update software on over 30 computers.  Congratulations on a job well done.

Growth and Blooms
The Hopeworks garden is in bloom.  Tulips and daffodils are in full splendor.  The three rose bushes were given by a father of one of our trainees--they are just beautiful!   The garden is tended by April Claggett and many thanks all who have contributed bulbs and plants.