Hopeworks, a nonprofit and social enterprise committed to preparing young adults between the ages of 17 and 26 with the tools to build bright futures, announced it was awarded a 2023 American Water Charitable Foundation Workforce Readiness Grant. The grant will be used to support Hopeworks workforce development program that connects young adults to education, experience and a transformative career.
“As we continue to enhance our workforce development program to help more young adults in our region build strong futures, we are grateful for the American Water Charitable Foundation’s and New Jersey American Water’s support and their investment in our young adults,” said Dan Rhoton, executive director at Hopeworks. “All young adults should have an opportunity to receive an education and the skills they need to be successful in their work and personal life, and we are able to do this through the help of our corporate and community partners, like American Water.”
The Workforces Readiness grant is part of the American Water Charitable Foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization established by American Water, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., and aims to support high-impact projects and initiatives that further American Water’s commitment to ESG, as well as inclusion, diversity and equity.
“The American Water Charitable Foundation is dedicated to engaging and investing in initiatives that improve the wellbeing of communities and partnering with organizations such as Hopeworks to help further their mission,” said Carrie Williams, president, American Water Charitable Foundation. “We take pride in supporting American Water’s continued efforts to be a responsible neighbor and reliable partner in the community.”
For more information about Hopeworks, please visit www.hopeworks.org and follow Hopeworks on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
About Hopeworks
Hopeworks is a social enterprise that uses technology, healing, and entrepreneurship to transform lives. Hopeworks’ unique mix of training, trauma-informed care, 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 web design and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and trauma-informed solutions through training and consulting services with the Hopeworks Training Team. These businesses help generate over 100 jobs a year, and lead to high-wage, permanent opportunities for young adults in a growing tech industry.
Hopeworks’ unique combination has led to extraordinary results, with over 85% of young adults earning high-wage jobs at the end of their work experience with Hopeworks, and a 12-month retention rate of almost 90% at those jobs. Young adults entering Hopeworks are typically earning an average of $400 per year and after going through the training program, they have the opportunity to make a livable and comfortable wage, earning over $42,000 annually.
About American Water
American Water is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formally Twitter) and Instagram.
About American Water Charitable Foundation
The American Water Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a formal way to demonstrate the company’s ongoing commitment to be a good neighbor, citizen and contributor to the communities where American Water and its employees live, work and operate. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf and follow the American Water Charitable Foundation on Facebook.