CAMDEN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New Jersey American Water announced today that four New Jersey organizations — Boys and Girls Clubs of Union County, Hopeworks, Junior Achievement of New Jersey and Salem County Inter-Agency Council of Human Services — were each awarded a $25,000 American Water Charitable Foundation 2024 Workforce Readiness grant, focusing on general career readiness, financial and business literacy, positive youth development and life skills training.
"Every day, we work to keep water flowing for our customers. With these grants, we're helping to keep opportunity flowing for New Jersey's youth by tackling the unique aspects of workforce development," said Mark McDonough, president of New Jersey American Water and a board member of the American Water Charitable Foundation. "As a company that relies on a skilled, diverse workforce to serve our communities, we're excited to see how these innovative initiatives will shape the next generation of local youth and young adults."
The selected projects include the following:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County: Career Launch Program
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County was awarded $25,000 to expand their Career Launch Program for teens ages 12-18. The program offers career exploration, educational guidance and workforce preparation through resume writing workshops, interviews, and mentoring opportunities with business owners, corporate professionals and college graduates. Funding will support transportation for site visits, staffing and career exploration software.
Hopeworks: Growing Opportunity Program
Based in Camden and Philadelphia, Hopeworks was awarded $25,000 toward funding support for young adults in Camden to enroll in its proven training program, expanding the number of people who can earn life-changing jobs. With a focus on skill development, real-world job experience, and trauma-informed care, Hopeworks propels young adults into long-term living wage careers that put them on the path for healing and financial stability. Over 99% of young adults, ages 17-26, entering Hopeworks are unemployed, making less than $400 annually, and after completing the Hopeworks training program, they earn over $43,000 annually, with a 12-month retention rate of over 90% in their jobs.
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The nonprofit provides paid training, career support and real work to help 17- to-26-year-olds move into full-time jobs averaging $43K a year. In a bright room at Hopeworks Kensington, young adults sit at computers learning to code, build websites and prepare for careers many once thought were out of reach. Some come in unsure of […]
The Rutgers Camden Campus Center was transformed into a high-energy hub of professional development last week as Hopeworks hosted its third annual HOPE Summit. Headlined by Truist Bank, the event served as a critical bridge between young adults in the region and some of the most influential employers in the Greater Philadelphia area. The summit is a cornerstone of […]
Headlined by Truist Bank, the event removed access barriers to career readiness, connecting Camden, NJ – March 16, 2026 – On Thursday, March 12, Hopeworks, a social enterprise dedicated toempowering young adults to establish living wage careers, hosted its third annual HOPE Summit at theRutgers Camden Campus Center. Headlined by sponsor Truist Bank, the summit […]
