In many ways, the scene was a familiar one at Hopeworks -- youth and community members, huddled over screens, learning to code and to use technology to change their lives. However, it was different than a normal day at Hopeworks for two key reasons.
First, it wasn’t just Hopeworks youth learning. As we do every year, Hopeworks opened it doors to aspiring coders from 6 to 60 to come and learn to code by participating in workshops led by Hopeworks alumni and volunteers from companies in the area, including EPAM, Subaru, Linode, Rutgers, OceanRingTech, and many others.
Second, coding wasn’t all that was in store for the day. In the afternoon, Hopeworks held its first ever pitch competition, awarding over $3,500 in prizes to Hopeworks alumni who have started their own businesses. The prize money came from the Thomas family, the family of a Hopeworks alumna, in memory of Aaron Thomas. When Aaron Thomas passed away, the family dedicated all donations in his memory to Hopeworks to support youth entrepreneurship. This pitch competition was the first step!
The alumni businesses pitched included marketing and design companies, web design services, and many others! You can see a video of the entire event here!
Check out pictures from the entire day here
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 […]
