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Hopeworks News: May 2002
Date: May 15, 2002
Contact name: Jeff Putthoff, SJ
Phone number: 856-365-HOPE
Hopeworks 'N Camden
--receives $20,749 from Microsoft
Camden, New Jersey - Hopeworks 'N Camden announced today that they
has received a grant from Microsoft for $20,749. Hopeworks 'N Camden is one of 23 nonprofits selected
from across the nation to receive a donation in this most recent round of Microsoft's Technology
Enriched Community (TEC) grants, which totals nearly $345,000 in cash and $920,000 in software.
The grant will be used to add new modules to Hopeworks online training curriculum. This will allow
Hopeworks to continue to provide cutting edge training to youth.
"Curriculum development is a top priority for the Hopeworks program,"
said Father Jeff Putthoff, S.J., Executive Director, Hopeworks. "The technology is always
changing and to it is essential for Hopeworks to continue to update and adapt our curriculum to
the changes happening in the industry. We look forward to using the TEC funds to build a curriculum
that helps Hopeworks' youth take advantage of educational and employment opportunities."
"Microsoft is thrilled to support (Hopeworks 'N Camden)," said Bruce Brooks,
Director of Community Affairs, Microsoft. "We believe that when people are given
The tools and resources they need, we can help people and communities realize their
potential."
The mission of Hopeworks 'N Camden is to enable "at-risk" youth and
young adults in Camden to use technology to help youth take advantage of employment and
educational opportunity in today's high-tech economy. Specifically, Hopeworks seeks to
develop community-oriented leaders and promote economic development in the inner city. We
accomplish that mission through the implementation of a youth technology portal, comprised
of the following three parts:
1. An advanced technology training program
2. Two small businesses:
"A non-profit web design business offering web site design, development and
maintenance services
"A geographic information systems services (GIS) business offering data collection
and presentation.
3. An internship/job placement and educational growth program.
Hopeworks is located in Camden, NJ. In our immediate neighborhood,
the per capita income is $5,700. The two public high schools in Camden have a 75% dropout rate.
For this reason, we have created a program that provides a structured environment to youth
ages 14-23. If a youth is not in high school, we work with them to obtain the GED. If a youth
is in high school, they enter our "Hope Through School" program where by they complete an 8-week
training program and then are offered a part-time job with us. All trainees advance into
production positions with either our web business or GIS business. This spring, we had 6 of
our trainees enter college.
Since the technology Enriched Community program began in 1996, a total
of 231 TEC grants have been awarded to 219 nonprofit organizations nation wide, for a total of
over $3.2 million dollars in cash and $10.3 million in software donations to date. The mission
of the TEC program grew out of Microsoft's corporate goal to make it easier and more enjoyable
for people to maximize the computer resources available for personal computing. While Microsoft
does this by creating new tools to help people reach their potential, the TEC program connects
people to PC and Internet technology that empowers them to achieve their dreams.
Created in 1983, Microsoft's Community Affairs Program is one of
the first philanthropic efforts in the high-tech industry. Overall, Microsoft seeks to empower
people and communities in discovering a better future through technology. Last year, Microsoft
gave more than $36.6 million in cash and $179 million in software to nearly 5,000 nonprofit
organizations to improve technology access to underserved communities, to strengthen nonprofits
through technology, and to expand and diversify the technology workforce.
For more information about Microsoft's Corporate affairs, please visit
www.microsoft.com/giving.
For more information on Hopeworks, please visit
www.hopeworks.org.
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