A Tale of Perseverance and Determination

When Lance first came to Hopeworks, he admits that he was very reserved, shy and “only did what he had to”. However, He quickly realized how important it was to communicate with others. He began doing things outside of his comfort zone, including giving tours, and quickly became known for his charismatic personality. Lance said that in the beginning he was very nervous but he remained persistent. He is now an intern in the web development team, and having learned web design languages such as HTML, CSS, and Javascript in the training program, he is able to apply these to become a full-fledged web developer. He also utilizes the skills he learned in Photoshop, which assists him in becoming a better graphic designer.

Many youth come to Hopeworks seeking a change in their lives and when asked what advice he would give youth hoping to become successful at Hopeworks, Lance says it would be to STAY PERSISTENT and to STAY POSITIVE. He says, “Take advantage of when guests like CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business owners come to visit. Ask them questions, pick their brains, and get insight from them because they were once in your shoes. Use the methods they were taught to propel them to the top and apply those methods to your own journey.”

In the future, Lance’s goals are to earn more internships around the city and to eventually get into the game development industry. Ultimately, he wants to own his very own game design studio with a huge team of dedicated programmers and designers to create something that has never been created before. Lance says his favorite part of being at Hopeworks is the genuinely positive atmosphere. “Everyone wants us to succeed and the positive support of the entire family at Hopeworks is something that I truly admire.”

October 27, 2025
Breaking down employment barriers with AI-powered skills training

“Our collaboration with Dell Technologies and NVIDIA isn’t just about technology; it’s about genuinely empowering people. Together, we aspire to scale our success and extend opportunities to every underserved community we reach.” -Dan Rhoton, CEO, Hopeworks Learn more by clicking here.

Read More
October 27, 2025
Hopeworks secures $75K matching grant from The Foxwynd Foundation to accelerate youth careers

Hopeworks, a Camden-based social enterprise dedicated to empowering young adults, has received a $75,000 matching grant from The Foxwynd Foundation. This significant investment is earmarked to expand the organization’s successful Recode Your Future initiative in Philadelphia and Camden, creating more pathways to financial stability through trauma-informed technical training and job placement. This is the second consecutive grant […]

Read More
October 27, 2025
Dell AI Factory with NVIDIA - Featuring Hopeworks

Discover how Dell’s partnership helps young adults break cycles of poverty by equipping them with digital skills, mentorship, and real-world experience. It’s a powerful glimpse into what happens when purpose-driven innovation meets community impact.

Read More
808 Market St.,
Camden, NJ 08102
(856) 365-4673
Hopeworks is a 501(c)(3) non-for-profit organization, EIN: 31-1660671.
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram