On October 7th Hopeworks held its 2nd Annual Celebration of Accomplishments. The night began with Fr. Jeff introducing the staff, board members and the many trainees who attended. A new Hopeworks video premiered (Click here to check out the new video!) and Pastor Margaret Herz-Lane, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and a co-founder of Hopeworks, offered grace as a fantastic evening of dinner, dancing and fun commenced.

     After dinner Fr. Jeff introduced the recipients of the first ever “Hopester Awards,” which recognizes individuals and organizations whose 'outstanding commitment to the mission of Hopeworks ‘N Camden will ensure that Hopeworks is able to continue to be a “Door to Opportunity” for the youth of Camden.'  The first to be recognized was Sue Rich from Symantec.  Sue met Father Jeff on an airplane and has become a great supporter of Hopeworks, initiating Symantec Days here at Hopeworks (See more on Symantec Days below).  Next to be honored was The Maryland Province with Tim Kelly receiving the award on behalf of the community. The Maryland Province has supported Hopeworks from the very start with both generous funding and Father Jeff’s presence. Frank Cook was our third recipient.  Frank also has been serving Hopeworks since it was founded, offering his wisdom from the world of business. Frank was an adult Ignatian Volunteer, and has supported Hopeworks in many ways.  Campbell Soup and Abbey O’Neill were also honored with Hopester Awards.  The staff, board and youth applaud the work and service these organizations and people have provided to Hopeworks over the years. 

Hopeworks also honored two youth with special awards. Sabrina Gomez was the recipient of the Hopeworks Leadership Award. This award is given to the youth whose hard work and high standards make them a role model and a leader to other trainees.  Sabrina is proud of the high quality of her work in production and the example she sets as a trainer.  Sabrina has overcome many obstacles in life and this fall she was able to start at Camden County College! Mario Arriola was presented with the Hopeworks Golden Mouse Award. The Golden Mouse is given to the youth who has truly taken up the culture and meaning of Hopeworks “Learning to Learn”.  Mario works in production, works with clients and trains youth in the Hopeworks Curriculum.  Congratulations to both of these outstanding youth!

          Adding to the fun of the evening was Sade Coley who entertained the room with her dancing abilities. After the awards and prizes were handed out our guests settled back and enjoyed a fun evening of music and dancing.

          Hopeworks would like to recognize all of the time and hard work of the Public Relations committee, especially Francesca McClay who chaired the committee, along with Bonnie Shoemaker and Kathleen Deitch -Thanks for a perfect evening of fun and celebration.  Hopeworks hopes to see many more of you at next fall's gala 3rd Annual Celebration of Accomplishments.  Ask anyone who attended what a great time it was.  It's sure to be an event you won't want to miss!

On Thursday, September 28, Camden City Council commended Hopeworks for excellence in youth development.

City Council President Angel Fuentes and Councilman Gilbert "Whip" Wilson delivered the citation, which stated "Hopeworks 'N Camden continues to enhance the lives of inner-city Camden youth by expanding the learning opportunities available to them, pointing the way to a future full of hope and working together to create that future."  Thank you City Council!  Check out the citation here.

On August 23rd and 24th Hopeworks celebrated Symantec Days 2006. The event began on Wednesday morning with community technology training. We were able to train sixteen people on back-up techniques, Skype, and anti-virus software. Special thanks to Lee Whitty of Symantec for facilitating a portion of the workshop. On Wednesday afternoon the youth participated in a technology scavenger hunt. There were thirteen stations set up around Hopeworks, where youth learned new skills. They were very excited by the new learning and the prizes! Following the scavenger hunt we traveled to Campbell’s field for a Camden Riversharks game. The Delaware River Port Authority donated 25 tickets and the Camden Riversharks donated 10 additional tickets. The staff and youth had a great time. On Thursday Symantec’s Conshohocken office hosted the youth of Hopeworks. Rich Pisciella arranged to have Efrain Ortiz and John D’Alessio speak with us about computer security issues, safe internet habits, software design and different strategies for career preparation.   After the presentations it was off to Champs for lunch!  We especially want to acknowledge Sue Rich of Symantec. Without her diligent and continued support of Hopeworks, Symantec Days would not exist.

Hopeworks in the News

The periodical "ARCNews" had an article about Hopeworks and its very successful GIS Program. Check it out.

CreateAthon takes on Hopeworks Project!

For the third year in a row ad agencies and printers in various cities around the country came together in a 24-hour, work-around-the-clock creative blitz to create promotional projects for non-profits.  This year, thanks to the generosity of the Hypno Agency in Moorestown and CRW Graphics in Pennsauken, Hopeworks was chosen as one of 10 local recipients.  The CreateAthon group produced a beautiful custom color PR Packet that captures the culture of learning and opportunity here at Hopeworks.  Thanks to Marci Foster, Richard Cardona and everyone at CreateAthon 2006!

Hopeworks Youth Update

Mario Arriola began his fourth semester at Camden County College and Sabrina Gomez and Angel Rodriguez began their first.  Danny Castelan completed his first semester at DeVry University.

Congratulations to all the trainees who have earned production jobs this month. We welcome Angel Rodriguez and Sade Coley into web and Danny Castelan into Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Upcoming Events:

10/16: Leigh Anne Purnell, Sean Dougherty, Todd Mariani and Kenny Thierer will be attending a conference in experiential leadership

10/17: Leigh Anne Purnell and Todd Mariani will be bringing Hopeworks youth to "Rock the Penn," a poetry workshop with a published poet.

11/6:Parents Night:  Hopeworks invites the parents of our trainees to learn more about our program.

11/15: Tarren Anderson will be taking youth to GIS Day in Harrisburg, PA.

11/15: Father Jeff will be going to South Africa to attend a Group Relations Conference.

TBD: Look for our Christmas Open House to be coming up sometime in December!

Special Thank You To Our New Grantors!

Blue Coat Systems provided Hopeworks with a large Software Grant, including new proxy software as well as anti-virus, anti-spam, and web-filtering modules.

Symantec awarded the Hopeworks Hope Through School Program with a $50,000 grant.

Verizon provided the Hope Through School Literacy Program with $8,000

View Our Latest Clients

Tri-City Homeless Coalition

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Addictions Hotline of New Jersey

Keep an eye out for these upcoming sites:
Friends for Life Animal Sanctuary
Camden Diocese
ABC Financial Solutions
South Jersey Diving Association
The Upper Room
Camden Youth Drug Court
Access Academies
Romero Center
Newburgh Ministries
Woodbury Presbyterian
NJRC
Sinnott Executive Consulting
DiCicco Builders