Hopeworks awarded 2023 American Water Charitable Foundation Workforce Readiness Grant

Hopeworks was recently awarded a 2023 American Water Charitable Foundation Workforce Readiness Grant that will be used to support its workforce development program that connects young adults to education, experience and a transformative career.

Both Camden-based businesses have been partners for several years to provide real work experience to a group of young adults with state-of-the-art Geographic Information System and Global Positioning Satellite technology. The highly successful partnership is a model for creating a pipeline between workforce development and employment and has resulted in multiple Hopeworks youth securing positions after their internships.

“As we continue to enhance our workforce development program to help more young adults in our region build strong futures, we are grateful for the American Water Charitable Foundation’s and New Jersey American Water’s support and their investment in our young adults,” Dan Rhoton, executive director at Hopeworks, said. “All young adults should have an opportunity to receive an education and the skills they need to be successful in their work and personal life, and we are able to do this through the help of our corporate and community partners, like American Water.”

The Workforces Readiness Grant is part of the American Water Charitable Foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization established by American Water, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., and aims to support high-impact projects and initiatives that further American Water’s commitment to environment, social & governance, as well as inclusion, diversity & equity.

“The American Water Charitable Foundation is dedicated to engaging and investing in initiatives that improve the wellbeing of communities and partnering with organizations such as Hopeworks to help further their mission,” Carrie Williams, president, American Water Charitable Foundation, said. “We take pride in supporting American Water’s continued efforts to be a responsible neighbor and reliable partner in the community.”