Feb 29th, 2008 Hopeworks celebrated it's 8th anniversary!  During these eight years, we have worked with over 1200 youth, provided over 245 youth jobs, provided services to over 225 web clients and 75 GIS clients. Our future is bright.  We are currently involved in creating a street map for Camden (see below), have created an interactive city map allowing people to submit and track quality of life concerns throughout the city (see www.camdendccb.org) and are looking to create a residential component for our program.  Thanks to all of our supporters who continue to support our work!  

Members of the Hopeworks GEB Team continue to work on a street map of Camden. The team is in conversation with many of the most prominent organizations and businesses in Camden to invite them to participate in the project.  Members of the sales team are contacting local organizations and businesses about buying advertisements to support the production, printing and distribution of the map.  The map will feature 3 ad sizes 3 x 1.5, 3 x 2 and 3 x 3.75 inches. We are also offering placement in the map with or without an ad, offering local organizations and businesses the ability to feature themselves in the map with their exact location in Camden. All the information is available at www.hopeworks.org/camdenmap where you can find samples of the map and the ads, request information and even order your "must have" space in the only printed Camden.  The maps will be distributed throughout Camden beginning in June.

Automotive Resources International in Mount Laurel, NJ recently partnered with Hopeworks to link their employees with our trainees through the e-Mentoring Program.  Facilitated by ARI’s human resources department, ten employees will serve as e-Mentors.  They will bring their professional experiences and support to their relationships with our trainees.  e-Mentoring links trainees with adults through weekly e-mails which discuss careers, work readiness, college, leadership and goals.  At a meeting with the new e-Mentors, Joy Allman, an ARI employee, spoke about her experiences with e-Mentoring over the past three years.  Joy has been with the program practically since it started and is a good friend of Hopeworks.  We are thankful for her role in encouraging her fellow employees to be e-Mentors.  With the ten week internships that ARI provides to trainees, this is one more opportunity for our youth to connect with this valuable community corporate leader.

Hopeworks is moving ahead full speed with our SalesForce implementation.  Beginning this month, we have converted our trainee database into the SalesForce format.  It is exciting as we now have a full complement of tracking and reporting functionality.  Data now is available not only to all staff; but with the robust reporting functionality, we’ve been able to see new patterns in trainee performance, retention and productivity.  With this deployment, we now manage all customer opportunities, leads, trainee tracking and donor campaigns through SalesForce.  As we move forward, we are already anticipating a new series of improvements.  All of this has been made possible through the generosity of SalesForce and the Philadelphia Foundation!

Martha Curren is one of our newest volunteers.  She began networking with fellow members of the Greater Philadelphia Senior Executives Group (GPSEG), to find an organization where she could give back to the community. Candida Seasock suggested she check out Hopeworks. Martha’s reaction, “I knew immediately after reviewing their website this was a meaningful place; and after meeting Father Jeff, Angel and Beatrice, I was so impressed with the environment filled with self- directed learning and mutual respect!  Hopeworks has all the elements of a highly effective organization: a clearly defined mission, a highly engaged Executive Director, and a caring and motivated staff. Helping youth celebrate their accomplishments early and often was truly a sign of their commitment to building confidence in their own abilities.”

Martha is a member of the Development Committee, has been helpful in sharing management practices, and loves to work one-on-one with Hope Through School trainees.  Martha suggests, “The best part about volunteering for Hopeworks is gaining an appreciation for the enterprising spirit of the youth of Camden. It is inspirational to see them working so hard, and in companionship with one another to build a future of promise. They are always appreciative, and it is a privilege to help out where I can.”

This program is designed to help the residents of My Brother’s Keeper to acquire and develop their computer literacy knowledge and skills. This knowledge will be a resource for them to use to explore and seek new possibilities in their lives. The goals of this initiative are to help the participants: understand the basics about computers including hardware and software; identify the different components of a computer and its functions; use the internet proficiently and efficiently to explore and seek new possibilities in their lives like transportation, affordable living, available government services and jobs; identify any particular skills or interests to learn or improve as the program develops. The program will have duration of 10 weeks starting on February 29th to May 9th. The instructions will be held at Hopeworks on Thursdays between 10:00 am to 11:30 am.

PC and Mac are no longer just the two kinds of computers we have at Hopeworks!  Because of the kindness of one of our literacy volunteers, Deron Bunton, Hopeworks adopted two female kittens from the Animal Welfare Association of Camden County in Voorhees, NJ.  PC and Mac have been lively additions to our program.  They are very rambunctious and enjoy tackling each other, climbing all over desks and learning how to “Be Big” by imitating their older brother JPEG.  The trainees are in love with their new furry friends. Click here to find your own furry friends!

Congratulations to all trainees who have completed sections of the curriculum! Good job to our day trainees Angel Santana for completing the production test, Beatrice Ortiz for completing her Personal Website, Mercedes Hedgepeth for completing Photoshop, Bobby Murphy, Melinda Rios, and Terrill Chandler for completing HTML 1, Melissa Gaya for completing Internet basics. And kudos to our Hope Through School youth Steven Carmichael for completing his production test and Alicia Auli, Anthony Cruz, and Dimitri Inge for completing ImageReady. Keep up the great work!

This January Camden County College welcomed Hopeworks youth Beatrice Ortiz and Tasheriah Winstead. After hard work and loads of paperwork, these two young ladies were able to start college! We are wishing them luck and we are continuing to support our youth!

Thank You To All Of The Foundations And Corporations That Support Hopeworks Through Grants And To Our Many Generous Benefactors!

Upcoming Events:

3/3: Staff Day

3/4: Patrick's Birthday!

3/18: Tarren's Birthday!

3/20: Rebecca's Birthday!

3/21:  Good Friday - Hopeworks is closed

3/28: Melissa's Birthday!

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Bishop Gumbleton

Keep an eye out for these upcoming sites:
Big Brothers Big Sisters NJ
Camden Diocese
Camden Youth Drug Court
Continuum of Life
Goodwill NJ
Grace of God Lutheran
Missionary Sisters of Mary Immaculate
Newburgh Ministries
NJRC
Triad Associates