Walking into Hopeworks’ new Kensington space is like walking into a tech startup, with its sea of computers and teams of young people — only these tech workers are as young as 17, and are learning to code and build tech products so that they might eventually secure a job in the tech industry with a living wage. Dan Rhoton, 48, the CEO, believes that the antidote to poverty is simple: Create jobs and train young people to fill them. “The way to end poverty is with money,” he says, adding, “I am only half-kidding.” We spoke with Rhoton about how he became the CEO of Hopeworks and why he believes his company is a tool to fight poverty in Philadelphia.
What inspired you to get involved with Hopeworks?
I planned to spend my career in education. I loved my job as a teacher and administrator at a detention facility. Those youngsters had drive. But they were using it in the wrong direction. I felt I could help them change course. I spent 15 years there, and I thought I’d retire there.
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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 […]
