SJ Orgs: Hopeworks `N Camden

Are you a small business or non-profit looking for a chance to be on the cutting edge of web technology? Are you concerned about the welfare for the underprivileged youth in Camden? You can help expand the future of Camden youth by supporting the Hopeworks ‘N Camden organization. This organization helps reduce the high school dropout rate for African American and Hispanic Youth in Camden and provides training for business, education, and technology careers for the 8,000 youth in Camden that have dropped out of school.

Hopeworks began as a unity of three Camden churches in 2000. Since its inception, Hopeworks has served more than 400 youth, developing careers for students and web sites for paying clients. Many of the students attended college and earned GEDs as a result of the program.

Hopeworks has several programs to place students on the Internet technology track. The following are the available programs to enrich and benefit the Camden students:

The Hopeworks web services program empowers youth with skills for the future in a three-step program. The advanced technology-training program teaches web site design and geographic information services (GIS). Students then work with non-profit programs on real client projects. Students are then placed in an internship, a job, or an educational growth program. Upon completion of the training, students have the opportunity to work part-time as web developers for real clients. The organization provides a corporate web site at a low-cost and students guide the client through every step to build a site that displays its unique corporate image. If you are a small business or non-profit organization looking to develop your business or increase exposure on the Internet, please contact (856) 365-HOPE for more information. If you’re interested in some of the amazing work the students can provide, visit their web gallery at www.hopeworks.org/wgallery.html to see samples. The service provides custom site design and graphic imaging, building from scratch or enhancing an existing site. The organization also offers maintenance and hosting services.

Hopeworks GIS (Geographic Information Systems) is a training program accompanying web site design that offers an advanced program in GIS Technology. GIS-trained students can help meet the custom needs of clients by providing data collection and presentations to enhance their web sites. Hopeworks can create Parcel maps for neighborhood assessment and can collect other pertinent data including public transportation routes and locations of churches, businesses, and government offices. Hopeworks can create data presentations from facts inside the organization or from outside sources. Hopeworks also offers software for the customer to create their own maps to customize and fit their corporate image.

The Hopeworks Summer GIS program allows students to continue with GIS data collection part-time after school. Students also train other students in GIS. The program is a safe environment for youth in the summer and offers a wonderful opportunity for career advancement.

The Hope Through School program marks its third anniversary this summer. The program provides training, education and jobs to Camden youth in 9th and 10th grade. The program builds confidence in students, allowing a greater opportunity for college education, creating budding entrepreneurs, and decreasing the high school dropout rate.

Another program at Hopeworks is the Hopeworks Hardware program. The program trains students in computer repair and maintenance. The 10-week course makes students more marketable in the workforce where Internet technology is booming.

The Hopeworks College Connection program offers up to 15 hours of college credits from Camden County College by participating in a Hopeworks training program. Students can use these credits to apply to college in the future. Students can also take other college classes while completing the Hopeworks program, easing the transition into the workforce after completion of their curriculum.

Hopeworks is always looking for donations to keep their amazing program running. The program accepts monetary donations in any denomination. The organization is located on 543 State Street in Camden. For more information, contact (856) 365-HOPE or visit www.hopeworks.org.

For more on local Organizations, visit our South Jersey Organizations page.

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Author: Melissa Samuelson