October 2010

The Kauffman Scholars program (KSI) is a college preparation and access program which has positioned itself as one of the most comprehensive of its kind in the country. The program provides the guidance and support necessary to place urban youth on the path to college graduation. Expected to serve at least 2,300 students with a grant of $70 Million over 19 years, it is the largest and longest-term commitment in the history of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The goal of KSI is to increase the number of college graduates from the urban school districts of Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas.

From October 14, 2010 – October 19, 2010, Hopeworks and Kauffman Scholars Inc. will participate in a weeklong series of conferences and workshops to help analyze trends while researching data in relationship to youth. John Shultz, Web Director, Patrick Keenan, Formation Director, Shawn Mack, Literacy Director and Lilliana Quintana, CRIB Presence will work together on this innovative project. For three days Hopeworks staff will travel to Kansas City, in return, a cohort from Kauffman Scholars will travel to Camden for more intense work in youth development.

Christine has been a dedicated part of the Hopeworks family since January 2009.  She conducts one-on-one literacy sessions in English, and, when absolutely necessary, she assists in math.  At 11:45 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, youth can count on hearing the call for “BREATHING!” throughout the building.  Breathing is an exercise that is part relaxation and part reflection.   Christine has implemented this short session for youth and staff to help us recognize and control our feelings.  Christine is a certified spiritual director and coordinates spiritual education at Old Saint Joseph’sChurch  in Philadelphia.  In her spare time, Christine enjoys travel and hiking.  Married to an artist, Christine enjoys time with her family.  This year, Christine is expecting the arrival of her grandchild in December.

Join us for an event where giving won’t just feel good, but it’ll taste good too.  Hopeworks in partnership with California Pizza Kitchen will participate in a fundraising event on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 from 11:30 am – 9:30 pm.  Participating in this fund raising event is easy.  Just stop by the California Pizza Kitchen, located at the Cherry Hill Mall, (856)910-8121.  Present your server with the Hopeworks flyer at the time of your purchase and 20% of your check will be donated to our organization.  For more information on this event, please contact Sabrina Gomez, Training Director.

The 5th Annual Hopeworks Celebration of Accomplishments will be held on Friday, October 8th. Cocktail hour begins at 6:30PM, followed by dinner and dancing. The event is being held at Venice Plaza, 281 Crosskeys Road, Berlin, NJ. Come and enjoy an evening of music, dinner, wine and friends of Hopeworks.

A big part of the fun of Hopeworks’ 5th Annual Celebration of Accomplishments is the Basket Auction! Generous supporters of Hopeworks are delivering baskets of wonderful, beautiful and fun items to be auctioned off on Friday, October 8th at the Dinner, including fine china, gourmet foods and other fabulous goodies.

Auction tickets are available for purchase online and at the Dinner. Auction tickets are $3.00 each or four (4) tickets for $10.00. Pictures and descriptions of the baskets will be posted shortly, so don’t be left out of the opportunity to win one (or more!) of these great baskets.

Richard Massaro has done mission and community development work in Tanzania, East Africa. He worked as a policy analyst, researcher and advocate in Washington, D.C. and taught at Temple, West Chester and La Salle Universities.  Until recently he was executive director of a nonprofit organization that helps people with disabilities gain competitive jobs in the Philadelphia region.

He has a Master of Divinity degree, a Master of Arts in Theology, and he completed doctoral studies in international development planning.  Besides tutoring at Hopeworks, his teaching experience includes courses in career counseling, counseling psychology, international economic geography, economics of developing countries, regional planning, African development studies, Latin American development studies, and peace studies and conflict resolution.

Coming to Hopeworks since February has been a pleasure and a privilege.  It’s a chance to share in the sense of community and caring that staff and students work so hard to build.  It’s an opportunity to work with bright, talented, promising young people who have made a serious commitment to investing in themselves, their own futures, and the futures of their families and community.

Dinner baskets for auction.

Basket Auction items are now arriving and here is a list of just a few of the fun, useful, luxurious, tasty and beautiful items that will be auctioned off on Friday, October 8th at the Dinner:

• (2) “Relax” Baskets – each containing a beautiful, handmade afghan, candle, tea, mug, candies, cookies, valued at $60.00 each
• “Coffee, Anyone?” Basket – Metal scrollwork basket, four (4) Italian majolica cappuccino cups, four (4) demitasse spoons, French press coffee maker, one (1) lb. organic coffee, biscotti, Italian chocolates, $25.00 Starbucks gift certificate, valued at $100.00
• “Canine Camper” Basket – Large pet tent, “co-pilot” car seat cover, collapsible water bowl, dog backpack (so Fido can help carry his own treats when you’re out hiking!) and paw print towels to clean puppy feet before they become puppy paw prints, valued at $80.00
• Lego Basket – the world-famous LEGO brick toys, this basket contains a Shuttle Adventure kit and White House kit, valued at $150.00
• Lennox Christmas China – Synonymous with gracious living and festive beauty, this basket includes candlesticks and figurines from the classic Lennox series “The Snowman Collection” as well as “Winter’s Greeting (Cardinal)” Everyday Bowls; “Rudolph’s First Flight” and “Mickey’s Holiday Surprise” Christmas tree ornaments, among other lovely holiday items, valued at $150.00

August 29, 2010 was the day I moved into the New Freshman Residence Hall at Kean University.  This four year long journey was something I’ve been anxiously waiting for, but I didn’t think it would come  so fast.  When classes began I was nervous, but finally got the hang of it after about a week or two.

I’m lucky to say that all my professors are really good and are very helpful.  As for the campus life, it’s completely different than living at home. Kean always has festivals, comedy shows, hypnotists, and other things going on, so it’s hard to get bored. I do get homesick a lot, but I try to not think about being away from home and work too often because I know that being here and getting a great education will help me and my future. Basically, my first month at Kean University has been great, and I’m looking forward to learning more about myself and college during my four years here.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Frank Castillo and his family as they welcome the arrival of their new baby, Tyler who was born on August 31, 2010.   The celebration however is filled with mixed emotions as Frank; a Staff Sergeant for the Army prepares for his second deployment to Afghanistan this month.  Castillo, comparing the Hopeworks of his era to present times, he states, “A lot has changed.” Frank is looking forward to completing his mission in about a year with hopes of returning to New Jersey with his family.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Frank as he embarks on this mission.

Tony has visited Hopeworks for the past two years to help students with Math, English and Comprehension skills.  He enjoys the weekly timeout from his full time job as Director of Business Development for IT Evolution.  Tony enjoys working with a group of yotuh who are all very articulate when asked to talk about their dreams and goals.

Bill is a retired Computer Systems Analyst.  A graduate of Temple University and veteran Staff Sergeant of the United States Air Force, Bill discovered Hopeworks through a church member who has previously volunteered in the Literacy Department.  The Hopeworks web site gave him the information he needed to become associated.

Bill previously taught at the Computer Learning Center in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.  He has also tutored students in English as a part of the Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA). “I like teaching at Hopeworks,” Bill says, “The youth are motivated and interested in learning.  Some have overcome many challenges in their lives.  They are personable and well-mannered young adults.”

Paul met Father Jeff in 2009 at his church and was impressed with the work Hopeworks does with youth.  After a year, Paul finally decided to tour Hopeworks and was hooked immediately.  ”I’ve been involved with Hopeworks twice a week since July and have met quite a number of young people who are working hard to improve their skills.”

Personally, Paul is retired from Campbell Soup Co.  He has been an active volunteer with many other organizations since.  In his spare time, Paul enjoys playing basketball and coaching youth soccer.

I thought the transition from high school to college would be tough but it’s actually going very smoothly. All my classes are interesting and the teachers are really passionate about what they teach. The friends I’ve made here are like a family to me now. It’s only been a month but we already don’t want to leave each other for break. There are lots of opportunities and activities that helps students keep busy as well as bringing the class together as a community.

Robert Hurley hails from Boston Massachusetts, where he grew up in a home with a  mother who was a High school English teacher and a father was wool broker.  Robert graduated from St. Sebastian Holy Cross college and American University.  Today Bob works as an Executive Editor for a medical publisher.  His duties include, deciding what will be published, who will write,  how much should be charged and how many copies of a publication would be sold. Bob states, “I come to Hopeworks because I believe I should give back with the gifts God has given me.  In his spare time, Bob enjoys spending time with his wife Anne, a former Spanish teacher,  and his two children and three grandchildren.

Maria Scumaci is a senior Business student at Saint Joseph’s University.  This is her first year in the SJU Service Learning Program.  She has two majors, one in Management and the other is in  International Business.  She also has three minors: Spanish, Italian and Economics.  She graduates in May and plans to teach English abroad for a year before pursing her MBA/JD Dual Degree.  In her spare time, Maria enjoys traveling and spent last summer in one of her favorite places,  Italy.

Suzanne is a Sophomore at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.  She is an undecided business major with a minor in Spanish.  After graduating from SJU Suzanne plans to go on to work with some kind of non-profit organization.  She participates in many different activities both on and off campus such as; Students Run Philly Style, and Community day.  In her spare time Suzanne enjoys listening to music and hanging out with her friends.