Hopeworks has opened a new space on the first floor at 808 Market St. in Camden. The space will not only function as Hopeworks’ new corporate headquarters, but it will include additional dedicated training centers for the Hopeworks Geographic Information Systems Team and the Hopeworks Web Team, allowing the organization to serve more young adults in southern New Jersey and the Greater Philadelphia region.
“We have a proven model based on skill development, real-world job experience and trauma-informed care that helps to propel young adults into sustainable wage careers — and it works,” Lawrence Burden, senior director of career programming at Hopeworks, said. “We have sustained a positive presence in Camden for so long and, by expanding, we are providing more opportunities for young adults — and the community at large — to participate in professional training, internships and real-world business experiences. We are helping those who may not have been included traditionally.”
In December 2022, the nonprofit opened its second office in Kensington and, in the last seven months, the organization has placed over 63 young adults into high-wage jobs. As part of Hopeworks’ greater plans to expand its mission and reach, the opening of this new space will bring additional resources into the tech ecosystem in the region.
“Through Hopeworks, I’ve been able to change the direction of my professional life and, with this expansion, it will benefit so many more young adults,” Lily McCullough, GIS senior team lead at Hopeworks, said. “I’ve been with Hopeworks since the very beginning as a trainee, and to witness firsthand the impact Hopeworks has made on so many lives — including myself — is incredible.”
Hopeworks provides participants with professional training and internship opportunities. Once completed, participants have the opportunity to work in one of Hopeworks’ social enterprises: Web Design, GIS or the Training Team, which provides trauma-informed consulting services to local businesses. These businesses, such as American Water and Comcast, help generate jobs that lead to high-wage, permanent opportunities for youth in a growing tech industry.
