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New Jersey businesses have lined up this spring to support the Hopeworks 'N Camden program, which provides skills and education to youth who may become the next generation of business leaders.
The Jersey Business Leaders sponsored Roll for Hope in the beginning of April, which attracted more than 125 people and raised $5,000 for the program. Hopeworks also received a $5,000 grant May 6 from Verizon Wireless to go toward the Hope Through School Program, which encourages technology and literacy education for Hopeworks trainees who are still in school.
In a typical school year, 110 students in Camden schools receive technology training from Hopeworks, as well as an opportunity to get jobs with businesses run by the program. Students work year-round on projects for the businesses, including maps and surveying projects, and website design and maintenance.
"They are investing in youth, investing in potential employees, (and) citizens of New Jersey," explained Rev. Jeff Putthoff, executive director of Hopeworks. "Even more importantly, they're saying that all parts of New Jersey — especially Camden — is a valuable, integral piece of the future of our state."
"I think sometimes that there's this sense that people don't know what to do with Camden, and because of that they just tend to shy away," Putthoff said. "I think businesses that are bold and visionary and inclusive see the great value and the incredible need to be able to find answers that create hope and possibility for all the people of New Jersey."
Putthoff said 120 of the program graduates are in college, with several graduating with degrees in computer sciences. Several participants continue to work with Hopeworks while in college, while Putthoff has helped arrange internships for other students. He said one student did an internship for Symantec, based in Mountainview, Calif., last year.
"It's not about becoming a webhead or technology person, it's about being able to move forward toward your dream and your future," Putthoff said. "One of my favorite stories is the youth who started his associate degree and was going to do website design, and when he got into school, he changed his major to music, and that's fantastic."
The program, founded in 2000 by three Camden churches, helps the city's young people learn technology-based skills and works with those between 14 and 23 years of age to get back, or stay, in school. The program also operates CRIB, short for Community Responding in Belief, a live-in component to the program.
E-mail Melinda Caliendo at mcaliendo@njbiz.com
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