Kayana is firmly on her chosen career path!

When I first found out about Hopeworks I was a sophomore in college. My friend, who was a GIS intern at the time, recommended Hopeworks since I needed an internship and more experience in my field before I graduate. I’m a double major in Psychology and Childhood Studies, so Hopeworks, being a trauma informed organization, was perfect. I genuinely love what they do for youth. At first, I struggled with balancing school, sports, and training, but with the help of my career readiness coach I was able to organize my schedule and set goals for myself. Despite having to work remotely, I eventually earned an internship with the Youth Healing Team. 

While being a part of the Youth Healing Team I’ve been able to step out of my comfort zone, virtually train hundreds of schools, businesses, and non-profit organizations about the impact that stress and trauma can have on our brains and bodies and share healthier ways of coping with stress, especially during this pandemic. 

Through my internship, I was qualified to obtain a position as a Crisis Counselor for the Center for Family Services even though I’m still a Junior in college.   In this new role, I provide support for communities, individuals, and families. It is a great early start to my career.  I plan to continue beyond college and attend graduate school to earn my Masters and Ph.D. in Psychology to become a trauma therapist or a psychologist with my own practice.

I’m a firm believer in knowing you’ll always end up where you need to be and Hopeworks is a testament to that. I took this step not knowing where it would lead me, but it was an experience I will always be thankful for, shared with people I will always be thankful for.

May 31, 2025
Dressed for Success & Destined to Impress: May Volunteer Magic

This month, our partners showed up in a big way to support our young professionals!  Aramark Career Exploration DayOur young adults visited Aramark’s Philadelphia HQ for an exciting day of career discovery. From industry panels to hands-on workshops, they gained real-world insights into IT, innovation, and hospitality—and some were already eyeing job openings before the […]

Read More
May 31, 2025
Tickets Now on Sale: Celebrate 25 Years of Impact with Hopeworks

We’re thrilled to announce that tickets are officially on sale for the Hopeworks 25th Anniversary Reception—a special evening honoring the young adults, partners, and community members who have shaped our journey. September 25, 2025Collingswood Ballroom, Collingswood, NJPurchase Tickets Now » This milestone event will include a cocktail reception, awards dinner, and powerful storytelling from the Hopeworks […]

Read More
May 31, 2025
Meet the Expert Behind Hopeworks'RCM Business!

Building a top-performing RCM team from scratch is no easy task, but it's exactly what Pecola King, Hopeworks’ Director of Revenue Cycle Management, has done again and again. When Pecola relocated to Arkansas, she inherited a team with zero billing experience. Within one quarter, she transformed that team into the top-performing RCM unit - hitting every KPI and setting […]

Read More
808 Market St.,
Camden, NJ 08102
(856) 365-4673
Hopeworks is a 501(c)(3) non-for-profit organization, EIN: 31-1660671.
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram