About the Trainees
Hopeworks works with youth aged 14-23, some in school and some not in school. We have designed programs that fit the schedules, needs, and D.R.E.A.M.S. of our youth. We are not a school, so we have no students. Instead, we have “trainees” who are engaged in a training curriculum. The reason these distinctions are so crucial to our program is a pedagogical one. Our motto is “Learning To Learn.” By this, Hopeworks trainees learn how to learn on their own, developing essential skills that allow them to progress through the Hopeworks curriculum. Youth learn to solve their own problems, 
using the resources that are available to them–namely, other youth, the curriculum, books and the Internet. This kind of learning is contrary to what our youth experience in their education, where pedagogically they have adopted stance of “being filled up” by an adult with answers. Hopeworks seeks to break this learning model. It is our goal that youth who have attended our program will be more independent in their learning and move forward with confidence in their future, knowing that what they need to learn, they will be able to learn.
Hopeworks offers two training paths. The first, our day training program, occurs daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Trainees in this track are usually working on earning their high school diplomas or beginning their college careers by attending classes at Camden County College.
Trainees in our second training track are in high school. These trainees enter our program during a six-week summer training program called Hope Through School. Trainees who complete this program successfully are offered after-school jobs with Hopeworks during the academic year.
Meet the Trainees
College Trainees |
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| Geehem | Jonathan | Elijah | Lewis | |
| College | College | College | College | |
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| Lonnie | Djvonn | Shawn | ||
| College | College | College | ||
Day GEB production |
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| Jonathan | Elijah | Lewis | ||
| Day GEB Production |
Day GEB Production |
Day GEB Production |
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Day Trainees |
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| Sharmyra | Barbara | Lonnie | Shawn | |
| Day Trainee | Day Trainee | Day Trainee | Day Trainee | |
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| Djvonn | Sierra | |||
| Day Trainee | Day Trainee | |||
Hope Through School GEB Production |
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| Geheem | Corey | Ruben | ||
| H.T.S. GEB Production |
H.T.S. GEB Production |
H.T.S. GEB Production |
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Hope Through School Youth |
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| Rushelle | Chalice | Ashley | Aishah | |
| H.T.S. Trainee | H.T.S. Trainee | H.T.S. Trainee | H.T.S. Trainee | |
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| Odalys | Jenitza | Yarines | Michelle | |
| H.T.S. Trainee | H.T.S. Trainee | H.T.S. Trainee | H.T.S. Trainee | |
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| De’Quan | Maryann | Gena | Caitlyn | |
| H.T.S. Trainee | H.T.S. Trainee | H.T.S. Trainee | H.T.S. Trainee | |
