Operation New Hope
At Operation New New Hope, we believe that we are all better than our worst mistake, worst day, or worst decision. We believe in people's ability to learn from their errors and transform their lives through commitment and hard work. For over 20 years, we have worked to build a stronger community by creating opportunities for people with a criminal history to reconnect to the workforce and their families.
Our Ready4Release and Ready4Work programs:
• Support people affected by the criminal justice system to break the cycle of poverty and incarceration,
• Promote second chance hiring practices to make good on diversity, equity, and inclusion goals,
• Provide training in relevant, career-pathway skills to meet the needs of modern industry,
• Prepare employers to receive workers from this community and challenge stigmas,
• Deliver wrap-around services that support employees for success.
Breaking the Cycle - How Kate is making a better path for herself and her daughter.
“I was on drugs since I was 13 years old. I was able to stay clean for 5 years, and during that time, I got pregnant with my daughter. But then meth came to Jacksonville and I fell into a major downward spiral. I was trying to hide my addiction while trying to be a mom. But of course, it didn’t work. I lost my job. DCF and the cops got involved, and I voluntarily sent my daughter to live with my sister when she was 8. I remember her telling me, ‘Momma, it’s going to be ok.’
I was living in a van with my boyfriend, when I learned about Operation New Hope. Since then, it’s been an amazing journey. From the start, everyone has been there, helping guide me. They provided me with 3 months of sober living housing to get back on my feet, and the bus passes were crucial and made a huge difference. My case manager helped me with all my struggles. She lifted me up, gave me a pat on the back, and told me that everything would work out. I hadn’t worked a real job in years, but the Ready4Work team reacquainted me to the workforce. They helped with everything from mock interviews to resume building, and even basic terminology. The warehouse and forklift training was great.
It was all so helpful in landing my job at Parliment Building Products. My job has been my lifeline, and I love working here. I now have a car, a nice trailer to live in, and my daughter moved back in with me. I am so excited to have her back! She’s so resilient and smart. She’s going to be in gifted classes at her school.
When I was on meth, I remember thinking, I don’t know how to get out of this pit. I didn’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. But there was. The light was Operation New Hope. It saved my family. After I completed the program, my daughter’s father followed me and also went through Ready4Work. My daughter now has both of her parents back and it means everything in the world. We are all so happy now and just like my daughter said, everything is going to be ok. I am so thankful.”
With the skills learned and confidence gained from our programs, our participants go on to become productive community members and build successful careers earning living wages. To read more stories of transformation, success and hope, visit – https://operationnewhope.org/our-stories/voices-of-hope/.
Financials
Programs
Ready4Release
Working in collaboration with the Department of Corrections, we deliver pre-release services to over 20 facilities in Florida. Our dedicated Ready4Release Case Managers bridge the reentry divide to ensure adequate housing, transportation, and job training.
Ready4Work
Participants in our free Ready4Work program receive training, job placement, financial benefits, support services, housing and transportation assistance – everything needed to build a new future after involvement with the criminal justice system.
Volunteering + Events
Second Chance Showcase
650,000+ people leave prison each year looking for a fresh start.
We invite you to become part of their journey – join us for the Second Chance Showcase.
Held on the 2nd Friday of each month from 1:00-2:30 p.m. An informational and inspirational way to become part of social justice reform.
Learn how our team is working to develop safer communities, stronger economies, and more stable families.
Enjoy a delicious lunch, tour our program facility, and join us in celebrating our clients as they graduate from our nationally acclaimed Ready4Work program.
Hope Starts Here 5k
Show your support of second chances and join us for our first-ever 5K event on May 21, 2022. The event course with take you on a beautiful tour of the Historic Springfield neighborhood in downtown Jacksonville. Make a day of it, and enjoy food and drinks at our nearby local restaurants, bakeries, and breweries.
A 1-mile fun run will also be available.
All proceeds will benefit Operation New Hope's mission to reconnect people affected by the criminal justice to work, their families, and the community. #HopeStartsHere
Mulligans for Hope Golf Tournament
Operation New Hope is poised to expand our Ready4Release and Ready4Work programs to additional locations around the state to address the critical needs of the thousands of people returning every month from Florida’s jails and prisons. We are also investing in innovation to upgrade technology services and deliver more training behind the wall. To continue advancing our successful reentry programing and services, we need your help to invest in our strategic expansion and technology upgrades.
Funds raised during this tournament will be used to provide workforce training, mental health services, and job placement for people affected by the criminal justice system.
We believe that everyone deserves a mulligan and the support needed to rebuild their lives.
October 24, 2022
