Hopeworks Receives $660,000 Transformational Grant from The Haines Family Foundation to Fund Medical Scholarship and Support Training for Young Adults

With this funding, Hopeworks will strengthen partnerships to address the critical workforce  needs in healthcare

Camden, NJ – November 14, 2024 – Hopeworks, a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to empowering young adults to establish living wage careers, has announced a transformational $660,000 grant from the Haines Family Foundation, a private foundation focused on education, health, human service, and environmental initiatives that serves communities across southern New Jersey and the Philadelphia area. This generous gift will help Hopeworks establish a medical scholarship fund and support young adults with stipends to get the training and support they need. 

"We are profoundly thankful to the Haines Family Foundation for their generous support. This commitment empowers Hopeworks to expand our reach, especially within the communities we serve,” said Dan Rhoton, CEO of Hopeworks. “This grant will provide young adults with the opportunity to break through the stigmas and prove their capability for real, meaningful work. We are thrilled to use this funding to create pathways for these talented individuals to engage with some of the region's largest health systems."  

Regionally and nationwide there is a critical need for a strong pipeline of EMT-certified professionals and medical assistants to deliver essential services both inside and outside the hospital. With this funding, Hopeworks has established a scholarship fund to help cover the tuition costs of receiving certifications needed to start these jobs in partnership with regional healthcare networks. Hopeworks will now enroll additional cohorts of young adults annually into the training programs at these hospitals, provide support in completing certification programs, secure employment with their health system partners, and offer 12-month retention support to ensure long-term job success for all participants. Through this effort, Hopeworks aims to place over 68 young adults into living wage positions in the medical field, generating over $1.8M in additional wages in communities. Additionally, Hopeworks' young adults are expected to maintain at least an 85% 12-month retention rate in those jobs.

“Starting with a passion for helping others, my journey from Hopeworks to Cooper Hospital has been a rewarding one. From endless hours of training and studying at Hopeworks to gaining the skills in professionalism, it allowed me to grow and jumpstart this journey of mine, which has been life changing for me,” said Aniage Brown, Hopeworks Alumni. “Because of my journey at Hopeworks, I was given the opportunity to learn at the American Training Center to become a Medical Assistant. I have dedicated myself to acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to make a difference in people's lives. With each step forward, I’m closer to achieving my dream of becoming a healer and a source of comfort for those in need.”

Hopeworks’ unique model supports young adults with stipends, training, and preparation, ultimately hiring them within their enterprises at a living wage. By investing in the stipend fund, the Haines Family Foundation will support young adults to get the training and support they need. Through this grant, Hopeworks will be able to support over 100 young adults through their training program with training stipends, maintain at least an 80% retention rate in the training program, and place at least 85% of individuals completing the training and internship program into living-wage jobs paying at least $42,000 per year.

“The Haines Family Foundation is honored to support Hopeworks and its initiatives that are making a difference in our community. Investing in promise and opportunity are essential for creating lasting change. We hope that our support will have a significant impact on Hopeworks’ ability to empower individuals and foster positive change,” says Holly Haines, President of The Haines Family Foundation. “By focusing on economic empowerment and fostering generational wealth, we aim to pave the way for success that resonates through families and neighborhoods, creating a brighter future for all.”

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

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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 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 Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Revenue Cycle Management, and web design. These businesses help generate over 250 jobs a year, and lead to high-wage, permanent opportunities for young adults in multiple industries. 

Hopeworks’ unique combination has led to extraordinary results, with over 90% of young adults earning high-wage jobs at the end of their work experience with Hopeworks, and a 12-month retention rate of over 92% at those jobs. Young adults entering Hopeworks are typically earning an average of $286 per year and after going through the training program, they have the opportunity to make a livable and comfortable wage, earning over $43,000 annually.

About The Haines Family Foundation 

The Haines Family Foundation has worked tirelessly since 1995 to make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities across the Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia area. The Foundation's mission has been to support initiatives that promote education access, improve individuals' health and well-being, and strengthen communities.

Media Contact:
Red Thread PR on behalf of Hopeworks 
Katie Sciascia: katie@redthreadpr.com | 201-577-4745