Two more Hopeworks alumni -- Pabel Arizaga and Chris Newbill -- are continuing their professional journey with full time positions at American Water, right here in Camden!
After serving time in the military, Pabel returned home and tried finding employment that fit him, but the jobs did not work out. Ready for a change, Pabel heard about Hopeworks from his mom and his sister and decided to give it a try. Coming to Hopeworks, Pabel worked hard to complete the training, and became a leader on the GIS team, even earning his drone pilot certification as he worked on projects for American Water, Comcast, and other customers. Now, he is taking those skills to American Water as a full time GIS Technician!
Chris found out about Hopeworks through his mom and sister as well. He came to Hopeworks because he was feeling directionless and did not know what his next step would be. Chris did not have the easiest time when he first joined Hopeworks. He described his first few weeks as frustrating, discouraging, and overwhelming. He even admits to being ready to quit at one point. He decided to stick with it because, as he shared, “I realized somewhere along the way that I could not just keep quitting on things.”
Chris has made the most of his time at Hopeworks. He moved from trainee to an intern in our GIS department, where he demonstrated such a high level of skill that he was offered a full time position at Hopeworks working on our American Water contract. Now, he is using those same skills -- at a much higher pay rate -- at American Water, working on their GIS Team.
Congratulations to both Chris and Pabel on their huge growth!
Podcast episode transcript Josh: Some nonprofits go beyond relying on donations and grants by generating their own revenue while still driving meaningful social change. Social enterprise nonprofits blend business strategies with social impact, creating a sustainable approach to mission-driven work. But balancing financial sustainability with a nonprofit mission isn’t easy. How do these organizations navigate […]
Over the last 12 years the Camden County Police Department has brought violent crime down to historically low levels in Camden City. The approach has always been to work with the community and look to build bridges wherever we can to create a safer place for residents. Over the years we noticed that we started […]
We’re turning 25, and it’s time to celebrate! Hopeworks is officially a quarter-century strong, and what a journey it’s been. Here’s what we’ve accomplished in 25 years: Opened two locations, doubling the impact for young adults in need.Helped countless young professionals earn degrees, diplomas, and certifications.Prepared young professionals to land living-wage jobs and build brighter […]
