Hopeworks, a Camden-based social enterprise dedicated to empowering young adults, has received a $75,000 matching grant from The Foxwynd Foundation. This significant investment is earmarked to expand the organization’s successful Recode Your Future initiative in Philadelphia and Camden, creating more pathways to financial stability through trauma-informed technical training and job placement.
This is the second consecutive grant from The Foxwynd Foundation, building on an initial $100,000 grant awarded in 2024. The combined funding underscores a shared commitment to creating economic opportunity for young adults.
Dan Rhoton, CEO of Hopeworks, expressed his appreciation, stating, “We’re honored to continue our partnership with The Foxwynd Foundation. This matching grant allows us to expand the reach of our Recode Your Future program and give even more young adults the support they need to build meaningful, sustainable careers.”
He highlighted the organization’s impact, noting, “At Hopeworks, results mean lives transformed. Last year, 127 young adults launched into living-wage careers—each one taking a powerful step toward breaking cycles of poverty and building a future they can be proud of.”
The $75,000 grant will fund essential training stipends for participants. Crucially, Hopeworks will leverage the funds through a dollar-for-dollar match, effectively doubling The Foxwynd Foundation’s investment and empowering more young adults to launch sustainable careers.
With this expansion funding, Hopeworks aims to achieve ambitious goals:
- Place an additional 37 young adults in permanent employment positions.
- Maintain a 90% 12-month retention rate among program graduates.
- Generate more than $1.5 million in annual wages for young adults across South Jersey and Philadelphia.
Pamela Villagra, executive director of The Foxwynd Foundation, praised the organization’s work. “Hopeworks shows that when young people are given the right tools, guidance, and support, they not only transform their own futures but also strengthen their entire communities,” she said. “We are proud to support an organization whose tangible impact is creating an inspiring model that can serve as an example for other communities across the country.”
