Hopeworks: Youth Building the Future
Dan Rhoton (he/him)
Executive Director @ Hopeworks
Hopeworks: https://hopeworks.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danrhoton
Interviewer: Ashley Pastino (she/her)
Talent Acquisition Manager @ Penn Interactive
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleypastino
Hopeworks is a social enterprise that uses technology, healing, and entrepreneurship to transform lives; on average, over 99% of youth (aged 17–26) entering Hopeworks are unemployed, making less than $400 annually. Youth completing the Hopeworks program make, on average, over $38,000 annually, with an almost 90% 12-month retention rate in their jobs. That is the Hopeworks difference.
Their unique trauma-informed approach, combined with high-demand, high wage technical training and paid work experience helps young people not only get the job, but keep it, transforming their lives and the lives of their families.
How are students being introduced to technology?
Hopeworks’ unique mix of training, trauma-informed care, and real-world experience leads to extraordinary results.
It starts with training, giving youth the high demand technical skills they need. Hopeworks’ starts with progressive technical training in front end web development as well as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and data visualization, high demand skills that companies need.
Technical training is important; youth need the coding and technical skills to make them employable in high wage occupations. Even more important, however, is helping our youth develop the social and emotional skills to not just get those high wage jobs, but to keep them.
A unique combination of career readiness coaching, academic success coaching, and a strong community commitment to healing and progress means that youth can find a place to succeed.
However, it takes one last step to make our young people the exceptional employees they are. Success for our young people also requires real-world experience. To provide this experience, Hopeworks runs real businesses, providing technology solutions for businesses in web design, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and data visualization that not only helps businesses achieve their goals, but also trains and employs youth into high demand, high wage careers. Our youth work in these businesses, gaining real world experience and a living wage. In the last 12 months, Hopeworks paid over $600,000 in wages to our participants.
How do we get kids interested in STEM and Diversify the industry?
Hopeworks finds that, for many of our participants, the key is for them to see how STEM and tech can be a pathway out of poverty.
How can educators prepare students for the industries of the future?
By having them do it! Hopeworks employs youth directly in our tech businesses, providing real experience working on real projects. Once participants experience real work, and realize th at they can do it, they are hooked!
How has the pandemic impacted and added challenges to young people pursuing careers in tech?
The global pandemic has brought incredible hardship to communities in both Camden and Philadelphia, with the unemployment rate in neighborhoods in both cities at times exceeding 20%.
However, it has also brought a moment of tremendous opportunity. With the rise of remote work, a corporate recommitment to racial equity, and growing technology needs in every sector of the economy, now is the time for Hopeworks and the young professionals we serve to seize the moment and dramatically change the trajectory of their careers, and the economic situation of themselves and their families.
Why do you think there’s a lack of diversity in the tech industry? (unwelcoming environment at companies, gender & racial bias)
We find racism and professional segregation — in which tech professionals only “see” competence in people who look like them — is the biggest reason. Partnerships like the one Hopeworks is building with Penn Interactive help to break that pattern.
How does Hopeworks help young people emerge from the cycle of poverty and violence to become successful leaders in the tech world?
Hopeworks unique combination of technical training, real business experience, and trauma-informed coaching and academic counseling has led to extraordinary results. On average, over 99% of youth (aged 17–26) entering Hopeworks are unemployed, making less than $500 annually. Youth completing the Hopeworks program make, on average, over $38,000 annually, with an almost 90% 12-month retention rate in their jobs. That is the Hopeworks difference.
Interested in learning more about Hopeworks? Find more information at www.hopeworks.org
