Hopeworks Announces Kensington Expansion to Meet the Overwhelming Demand to Provide Life-Changing Career Opportunities

Approximately 4,000 square feet in size, the new space will help welcome a new business within Hopeworks later this year 

Camden, NJ, May 15, 2024 – Hopeworks – a nonprofit and social enterprise that propels young adults ages 17 to 27 into long-term, living wage careers – today announces the expansion of its Kensington offices located at 3400 J Street, Philadelphia, Pa. Hopeworks has established itself as a longstanding presence in the Philadelphia area, and this expansion serves as a testament to the organization's steadfast dedication to empowering a greater number of young adults and extending its influence throughout the region.

"With a waiting list of over 120 individuals, we know young adults are ready and able to change their lives; this expansion will help them do just that!” said Dan Rhoton, CEO of Hopeworks.

Hopeworks initially opened its Kensington office in December of 2022, and has since placed over 138 young adults into living-wage careers. With the expansion, Hopeworks will be able to double the number of young adults training and earning living wage careers.  

Key features of the Kensington expansion include:

• Doubling the number of training seats
• Ability to place an additional 100 young adults in jobs each year

“It's fantastic to see success beget success. A rising tide raises all ship after all,” said Tim Mealy, a Hopeworks Alum who now works full time on Hopeworks’ Geographic Information Systems (GIS) team.

In addition to the expansion, Hopeworks is excited to introduce a new venture into its enterprise later this year: a medical coding business. This initiative will join Hopeworks’ existing businesses such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), web design and trauma-informed consulting services.

The initial construction and successful opening of the Kensington office were achieved through a collaborative effort of local funders and supporters, including GreenLight Fund Philadelphia, Comcast, the Connelly Foundation, and Dell Technologies. Furthermore, the expansion of these offices has been made possible by a generous $1 million donation from an anonymous benefactor.

For more information about Hopeworks, please visit www.hopeworks.org and follow Hopeworks on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

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About Hopeworks

Hopeworks is a social enterprise that uses technology, healing, and entrepreneurship to transform lives. Hopeworks’ unique mix of training, trauma-informed care, and real-world experience is what leads to extraordinary results. The approach, combined with high-demand, high-wage technical training and paid work experience is helping to build a workforce that can not only get the job, but keep it, transforming their lives and the lives of their families.

To provide this experience, Hopeworks runs real businesses, providing technology solutions for businesses in web design and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and trauma-informed solutions through training and consulting services with the Hopeworks Training Team. These businesses help generate over 100 jobs a year, and lead to high-wage, permanent opportunities for young adults in a growing tech industry.

Hopeworks’ unique combination has led to extraordinary results, with over 85% of young adults earning high-wage jobs at the end of their work experience with Hopeworks, and a 12-month retention rate of almost 90% at those jobs. Young adults entering Hopeworks are typically earning an average of $400 per year and after going through the training program, they have the opportunity to make a livable and comfortable wage, earning over $42,000 annually.

Media Contact:
Red Thread PR on behalf of Hopeworks 
Gillian Scott: Gillian@redthreadpr.com