Hopeworks, a Camden-based nonprofit that offers a variety of training programs that prepare young people to earn a livable wage in the workforce, has received a $660,000 grant to support students with scholarships as they learn to be EMTs and medical assistants.
The Haines Family Foundation, of Egg Harbor City, recently awarded the grant for medical scholarships and stipends during the training period, according to Hopeworks. The grant will make it possible to place about 68 young adults in living-wage jobs with regional healthcare networks that need EMT-certified professionals and medical assistants, the Hopeworks announcement said.
“This grant will provide young adults with the opportunity to break through the stigmas and prove their capability for real, meaningful work,” said Hopeworks CEO Dan Rhoton. “We are thrilled to use this funding to create pathways for these talented individuals to engage with some of the region’s largest health systems.”
Hopeworks also announced this week that it has officially opened a new addition to its Kensington, Pennsylvania offices: a 4,000-square-foot training space that doubles the site’s training seats.
Since the Kensington, Pennsylvania office initial opening in 2022, Hopeworks has been committed to empowering young adults 17 to 27 in Philadelphia, and this expansion highlights its ongoing dedication to community development and youth empowerment, the agency said.
“We recognized a significant opportunity in Kensington to address the racial and wealth gaps by providing young adults with pre-professional and professional opportunities in high-demand fields,” said Onna Jones, site director of Hopeworks’ Kensington offices. “By equipping our participants with the skills needed to build lasting careers, we further our mission to break down barriers for young adults, foster economic empowerment, and create pathways to a brighter future.”
Following the successful launch of the Kensington office, Hopeworks has placed more than 138 young adults into living-wage careers. The newly expanded facility will enhance this success by providing additional training opportunities, enabling Hopeworks to place an estimated 100 more young adults in jobs each year. This significant expansion has been made possible by a generous $1 million donation from an anonymous benefactor.
“Joining Hopeworks has been a game-changer for me,” said Jamir Banks, a trainee at Hopeworks. “The training and support I’ve received here have not only helped me build valuable skills but also given me the confidence to pursue a career in a field I’m passionate about.”
For more information about Hopeworks, please visit www.hopeworks.org.
About Hopeworks
Hopeworks is a social enterprise that uses technology, healing, and entrepreneurship to transform lives. Hopeworks’ unique mix of high-demand, high-wage technical training and paid work experience, is helping to build a workforce that can not only get the job, but keep it, transforming their lives and the lives of their families. To provide this experience, Hopeworks runs real businesses, providing technology solutions for businesses in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Revenue Cycle Management, and web design. These businesses help generate over 250 jobs a year, and lead to high-wage, permanent opportunities for young adults in multiple industries.
