As a kid growing up in North Philadelphia, Aniage Brown always dreamed of a career where he could help people. “I wanted to be a firefighter,” says Brown, now 26. “But telling that to your parents in Philadelphia? It definitely freaks them out.”
Brown graduated from One Bright Ray Community High School, then found himself in a series of dead-end jobs at companies like Burlington Coat Factory and Amazon. Every day, he’d wake up wanting to call in sick. “I reached a point when I was 21 where I realized that I couldn’t keep doing jobs like this for the rest of my life,” he says.
That’s when his brother encouraged him to go to Hopeworks, the Camden-based nonprofit that trains folks for careers in fields with a demand for employees, and then matches them with jobs. The organization, which is celebrating 25 years in 2025 and recently opened a new, 4,000-square foot facility in Kensington, first put itself on the regional workforce development map with tech programs, offering training in 21st-century skills like website development, drone services and more.
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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 […]
