10 youth and three Hopeworks staff attended the Community Technology Center Network Conference in Cleveland, Ohio.  It was a great experience with 7 youth presenting during a 90 minutes session.  They stole the show!

During the final luncheon, to the surprise of all, Father Jeff was awarded the Toni Stone Innovative Initiative Award. The Toni Stone Innovative Initiative Award was established in 1996 as a way of recognizing special contributions made by an individual at a CTCNet member center. This award is to honor an individual that has demonstrated innovation in the field and a commitment to impacting people's lives. 

Uncharacteristically speechless, Father Jeff invited all the Hopeworks youth up to the stage to receive the award with him.  The over 400 people gave the youth a standing ovation!  It was  a great moment for all. 

Like so many things at Hopeworks, this particular trip was made possible by many generous benefactors---St. Ignatius Jesuit High School Community provided housing, Enterprise Leasing helped with transportation and CTCNet was generous with registration fees.  That doesn't even mention each of you who have helped support Hopeworks through donations of money, services and sweat equity!  Truly this award is for each of you and all of us at Hopeworks say Thanks!

America Magazine

Recently, America Magazine, the national Jesuit weekly, published an article about Hopeworks.  Father George Anderson, SJ, traveled to Hopeworks in May to gather information and interview folks.  During his time, he met Mark Ford, Hopeworks Lead Trainer and former Hopeworks trainee.  The article captures Mark's experience.  It is a great read.   To read the article, please click here.

Wine and Cheese For All!!!!
Hopeworks 1st Annual Fundraiser Celebration the accomplishments of the youth and our program will be will be held on September 24, 2005 at the Heritage Vineyards in Richwood, NJ with a Wine Tasting Event from 4:30pm to 8:30pm. There will be local wines, imported cheeses, an opportunity to tour the vineyard, apple picking and many opportunities to relax and have a good time. Thanks to DiCicco Design and Renovations Inc. who will be sponsoring the event. Come on out and enjoy the fun! Click here to find out more. Click here to download the invitation.

Help from a Foreign Land

Vladislav Krasovsky, SJ has joined the Hopeworks crew for a year of his Jesuit training.  jesuit seminarians typically work three years between their philosophy studies and theology studies in a Jesuit work.  Vlad, who is 31, has been a Jesuit for six years.  He belongs to the Russian Province of the Society of Jesus but hails from Belarus.  He has a degree in applied mathematics.  Vlad heard about Hopeworks from a Maryland Jesuit who is currently working in Russia.  Vlad will be at Hopeworks for a year to learn about the program with the hopes of returning to Moscow to begin some similar program working with youth and technology there.  Dobro pozalovat (that's is welcome to all you non Russian folks!!) to Hopeworks Vlad!

Todd MacDonald has joined the Hopeworks staff as the new GIS Director
This fall, Todd will finish his Masters Degree in Geography from Temple University, where he is specializing in GIS and cartography.  Prior to his Masters studies, he served as webmaster for the Center for Research on Child Well being and the Office of Population Research at Princeton University.  Todd is excited to be at Hopeworks as Hopeworks provides him with the unique opportunity to use his technical skills while working with exciting, intelligent young people. Welcome to Hopeworks Todd!

IDEAS Conference
Father Jeff attended the IDEAS Institute at MIT.  Father Jeff, along with 18 other fellows from around the world, spent a week sharing ideas, learning a programming language called Scratch and experiencing the resouces of the MIT Medial Lab.  Through connections with another youth leader, Hopeworks and a youth Intel Clubhouse in Johannseburg, South Africa will be collaborating on a project during the upcoming year.  The hope is that the project will culminate in a youth exchange with Hopeworks youth visiting South Africa during the 2006 summer. 

Symantec Day Approaching

Mark your calendars!  August 24-26th promises to be quite a three days at Hopeworks.  First, our traditional Veritas Backup Training (now called Symantec as Veritas merged with Symantec earlier this year) will be held on the 24th-25th.  This year, besides teaching about backup, we will be introducing some new technology training using SKYPE.  This is sure to be a hit for everyone who wants to know more about SKYPE and how to make telephone calls using the Internet. If you are interested in attending the community training click here to sign up.

On the 25th, youth will be heading to Comcast for an all day tour ending with a Riversharks baseball game. 

On the 26th, Hopeworks youth will be attending a preseason Eagle's football game thanks to the Jaworski Family.  Youth will enjoy a tailgate party of hot dogs and burgers before seeing the preseason game between the Eagles and the Bengal's.

Summer is off and Running

Summer is on a roll here at Hopeworks.  We currently have a GIS survey of North Camden underway.  The survey is providing 11 youth with summer jobs.  Our Hope Through School Program is also in full swing.  This summer Tiana Davis, Nicole Reyes and Jorge Torres are our youth trainers.  They are helping some 15 high school youth master the intricacies of HTML, Photoshop and Internet Basics.

Radio Debut For Youth

On August 31, 2005, Hopeworks' youth will be embarking upon the world of AM radio. Tune in to 800 AM Camden/Wilmington/Philadelphia or log on to lifenetradio.org at 8:45pm (EST) to hear Hopeworks' youth give their insight on poverty in Camden, Hopeworks' success, and other current issues affecting their lives.