The Hopeworks Board recently voted to move forward putting plans for the C.R.I.B. into action. For the past year and a half, a committee of ten has been working tirelessly to acquire a site for the C.R.I.B. In addition, we have begun to acquire financing that will help us to achieve our goal of opening the doors to C.R.I.B. in 2009. Keep your eyes out for more information and check out our video to see the spirit of Hopeworks that is fueling the CRIB!

The Celebration of Accomplishments Dinner was held on Saturday night at the Marian House in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.  Over two hundred attendees enjoyed great food, company, and dancing in honor of the wonderful accomplishments of our youth this past year. We honored two Hopesters and three youths for their achievements. The awardees were as follows:

Hopester Award - Salesforce.com

This year Kimberly Hunt accepted our Hopester Award on behalf of Salesforce.com. We started using Salesforce earlier this year, and it has had an immeasurable effect on our ability to maintain good customer relations. It has also helped us in our growth campaign over the past year, and we look forward to continuing our successful relationship in the years to come. Thank you Salesforce.com and Kimberly Hunt for your wonderful contributions to Hopeworks!

Hopester Award - Dr. John Foley

The second Hopester Award for the year was given to Dr. John Foley. Dr. Foley has been a wonderful gift to Hopeworks over the past year. He comes to Hopeworks once a week, providing back care to the day trainees who always look forward to his visits. His techniques not only provide medical benefits, but also promote good health practices and relieve stress. We are so grateful for everything that Dr. Foley has contributed to the Hopeworks family.

Golden Mouse Award - Vanessa Rivera

This year's Golden Mouse Award Winner is Vanessa Rivera. Vanessa is a junior at Camden Catholic High School. She has proven herself time and time again to be dedicated, hardworking, and motivated. We applaud Vanessa for upholding our motto "Learning to Learn" and for setting an example for all of our trainees.

Leadership Award - Nefertiti Bryant and Patrick Osborne

We have co-recipients of the Hopeworks Leadership award this year. Patrick and Nefertiti worked tirelessly to organize and lead groups of eight youth to map the trees in Collingswood. Nefertiti says the hardest part about leading the group was finding a way to motivate them when the summer sun was draining them of energy. Congratulations to Patrick and Nefertiti! We are so proud of you!

Alumni Award - Yesenia Nieves

This year's Alumni Award recipient is Yesenia Nieves, who is currently attending Ramapo College of New Jersey. She was a trainee at Hopeworks from 2003 to 2005; during that time she completed the full curriculum and got a job in GEB. She left Hopeworks after earning an internship at Cooper Hospital. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments, Yesenia!

A number of our day trainees attended the premier of First Person last Thursday night at City Hall in Philadelphia. Formation director Patrick Keenan was very excited to have the opportunity to show the youth this film because it has been widely recognized for its depiction of the struggles of urban teens. The documentary follows six youth who are trying to be the first people in their families to graduate high school and go to college. The trainees had a great time. Click here to read individual reactions to the film.

Wesley and Janina traveled to Moorestown with Father Jeff to thank the Moorestown Rotary Club for its donation to Hopeworks. First, they enjoyed a luncheon with the club members which was topped off by delicious chocolate cake. They talked about why they came to Hopeworks and what Hopeworks has done for them. The Rotary Club members enjoyed their stories and Wesley and Janina said they had a great time. Click here to read what Wesley had to say about the luncheon.

We welcome Christus Lutheran Academy to the Hopeworks family. Five ninth graders began training. earlier this month. Tyann, Clara, Jeffrey, Kendra, and Tanesha have all completed Internet Basics and have moved onto Photoshop. They join our day trainees for two hours in the afternoon four days a week, and we are so glad to have them on board!

Earlier this month our day trainees hopped on the speed line to Philadelphia where they got a tour of the Art Institute. The trip is part of a series of visits to colleges as part of our weekly College Workshop. The youth got to speak with one of the admissions counselors and were impressed by his story of struggling to make it to college as one of twenty-one children. He encouraged them to keep working hard and to take adavantage of the opportunities that are given to them at Hopeworks. Thanks to the Art Institute for giving us such a warm welcome!

Mario has officially finished his first month at Le Moyne and is doing incredibly well.  He has an awesome group of roommates and his classes are very enjoyable.  Since he was not able to attend this year’s Celebration of Accomplishments dinner this past weekend, he sent us a video.  Below is a transcription of what he said:

“Hey, what’s going on guys, this is Mario.  I’m sorry I couldn’t be there with you guys tonight.  As some of you may know or may not know, I’m at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY.  Things out here are great. I’m having a blast, classes are fun and I’m enjoying it, and I have to say that none of this would be possible if it wasn’t for you guys who support Hopeworks.  I want to say thank you on behalf of Hopeworks and myself for allowing this to happen and for your support of our mission, the development of youth.  Thank you so much and God bless!”

New Hopeworks Video released at Celebration of Accomplishments

Sean Dougherty has been working to create the newest Hopeworks video, which was publicly viewed for the first time at the annual dinner on Saturday night. Click here to watch the video on Youtube!

New Hopeworks Web site!

We are getting ready to launch our new web site! Keep your eyes open and check for updates!

Hope Through School Starts SAT Prep

Juniors and seniors in Hope through School are working hard preparing to take their SATs! Shawn Mack and the literacy volunteers have created study packets for them to review. We wish them luck as they prepare for their tests!

Voter Registration

Hopeworks youth are ready for the election! The staff has worked to get everyone registered over the past month so everyone is ready to vote on November 4th for the election!

Thank You, St. Matthew Lutheran Church!

On Sunday, September 28 St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Moorestown celebrated the 40th anniversary of the ordination of Pastor Herluf M. Jensen.   As part of this celebration the church established the Herluf Jensen Fund in his honor to recognize him. Pastor Jensen and his wife Dorthea did many things to bring hope and resources to people in Camden, and as part of the celebration St. Matthew’s selected Hopeworks to receive the first donation from the Herluf Jensen Fund. The community presented Father Jeff with a check for $10,000. Thank you so much to Pastor Jensen for his lifetime of service and ministry, and to all of the people of St. Matthew’s church for your generosity and support.

Father Jeff Wins Hometown

Hero Award

Congratulations to Father Jeff for winning the Hometown Hero award from Campbell's! They recognized him for his exceptional contributions to the

community of Camden. Congratulations, FJ!

Fresh Start for the Web Room!

Three youth, Adriana, Alicia and Sabrina brought out their paint brushes to help give the web room a fresh look. The blue room boosts energy and excitement each time you walk in the door – great job ladies!

Thanks to Costco!
Thank you to Costco for donating two couches to Hopeworks for the C.R.I.B.! We greatly appreciate the support!

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

Mellon Bank
Maryland Province of Jesuits

Lutheran Synod Grant

Philadelphia Foundation

PSE&G

Commerce Bank
Citizens Bank

Knight Foundation

CPAC

Will and Jada Smith Foundation

Anonymous Supporters

View Our Latest Clients :

SQA Pharmacy

Dismas Ministry

St. Lucy's Day School

Contemplative Outreach of Chicago

Keep an eye out for these upcoming sites:

Mother of God House of Prayer
Premiere Bookkeeping
Pat Peters
Center for Non Profits
Missionary Sisters of Mary Immaculate
Frank's Cleaning Service
Elizabeth Seton Academy
Church of the Resurrection
Pitman First Presbyterian
New Jersey Academy for Aquatic Sciences