Luis Calderon came to Hopeworks after receiving the disappointing news that he was not going to graduate high school. He struggled a lot throughout high school but it was never because of academic challenges. He had trouble showing up in the midst of the difficulties that were going on at home. He was devastated when he learned just three weeks before graduation that despite passing grades, he did not have enough credits to get his diploma and would have to repeat his senior year of high school. Coming to Hopeworks was an opportunity for him to start fresh and get his GED. He had no intention of returning back to high school and found excitement in being able to learn more about coding while working toward earning his high school diploma. In just two months, Luis not only passed all five sections of the HiSet, earning him his diploma, but also completed the web design training at Hopeworks.
When asked what advice he would give to others, he says “no matter the troubles life throws at you, always push on and that is what I will do for the future.” Being at Hopeworks helped Luis learn to push forward despite his setbacks. Luis plans to enroll in college and study computer programming and engineering.
Helping disadvantaged young adults in the U.S. to overcome barriers to economic opportunity and secured sustained long-term employment Hopeworks was founded in New Jersey in 1999 to help young adults overcome barriers to economic opportunity and build sustainable futures. Most participants do not have college degrees, and 99% of them are unemployed when they join […]
$1.2M Commitment from The Hg Foundation Enables Hopeworks’ Expansion into Two New Cities The Hg Foundation, a grant-giving charity focused on improving tech education and skills, today announced a new $1.2 million partnership with Hopeworks, a U.S. social enterprise that supports young adults into long-term living wage careers. The partnership will enable Hopeworks to expand its […]
Check out our Camden office full of energy, creativity, and hustle at our Pop-Up Shop Lunch Event! Our incredible young adults showcased and sold their original art, handmade jewelry, delicious food desserts, and so much more. From eye-catching booths to mouthwatering treats, every table told a story of passion, talent, and entrepreneurship. Proud to support […]
