The Rutgers Camden Campus Center was transformed into a high-energy hub of professional development last week as Hopeworks hosted its third annual HOPE Summit. Headlined by Truist Bank, the event served as a critical bridge between young adults in the region and some of the most influential employers in the Greater Philadelphia area.
The summit is a cornerstone of Hopeworks’ mission to dismantle access barriers, providing emerging professionals with the social capital and technical “toolkits” required to secure and sustain living-wage careers.
The 2026 summit moved beyond traditional career fairs by offering a holistic “Pathways Fair.” Participants engaged in a rigorous schedule of “hard” and “soft” skill-building, including:
- Technical Workshops: Deep dives into high-demand fields like UX Design, AI, and Marketing.
- Professional Branding: On-site resources including complimentary professional headshots and mock interview sessions.
- Navigating the Workplace: Interactive seminars on salary negotiation, financial literacy, and the art of building professional connections.
“The HOPE Summit is about opening doors and making sure young adults have the skills, confidence, and connections to walk through them,” Angel Serrano, senior director of development at Hopeworks saidd.
The event saw a significant turnout from the regional business community. Representatives from Dell Technologies, Subaru, The Campbell’s Company, Holman, TD Bank, Seer Interactive and Elsevier were on hand to mentor participants and scout for new talent.
Amy Barton, vice president of Commercial Banking at Truist Bank, emphasized that the partnership is about more than just philanthropy—it’s about equity. “Hopeworks is preparing young adults for long-term success and bringing employers to the table in a meaningful way,” Barton noted. “The HOPE Summit is a powerful example of what it looks like when industry leaders prioritize equity in workforce development.”
Now in its third year, the summit highlights the efficacy of the Hopeworks social enterprise model. By combining technical training with trauma-informed “healing” and paid, real-world work experience, the organization has achieved industry-leading outcomes:
- Placement: More than 90% of participants secure high-wage jobs following their work experience.
- Retention: The organization boasts a 12-month job retention rate of over 92%.
The 2026 summit was supported by a coalition of sponsors, including NJM Insurance Group, Fulton Bank, VoIP Doctors, and several private donors. These contributions ensure that Hopeworks can continue to provide a “healing-centered” environment where technology and entrepreneurship serve as catalysts for life-long transformation.
