Central Florida Ribbon Cutting Success

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Sheriff John Mina joined Operation New Hope on October 7, 2022 to celebrate the opening of our newest program location. The Ribbon Cutting and Ready4Work Graduation event was a packed house with over 100 community supporters in attendance. 

“With over 20 years experience in providing job readiness training and reentry services in Northeast Florida, we are excited to expand out work to the greater Orlando area,” said Operation New Hope’s President and CEO Reggie Fullwood. “We have helped over 9,000 clients reconnect to the workforce, their families, and the community, and we are committed to creating a statewide network of reentry services throughout Florida.”

Operation New Hope’s Founder Kevin Gay then shared a lovely invocation, followed by encouraging support from Mayor Dyer and Sheriff Mina. 

“I’m pleased to be here to welcome Operation New Hope to Orlando,” stated Mayor Dyer. “The City is committed to being a place where everybody feels equally valued and has equal access to opportunities and that includes individuals who have spent time with the criminal justice system. Making it easier for them to have a path is critically important because we know we want them to have a bright future. That is why I’m so pleased that after two decades of great success of the program to have it here in Orlando.”

Sheriff Mina greeted those gathered by saying “It’s a pleasure for me to be here today to welcome Operation New Hope and the Ready4Work program.” He then turned to the graduates and congratulated them on their achievements. He went on to say, “You may ask, ‘Why is the Sheriff standing here supporting this program?’ And that’s because we both have the same values – Operation New Hope and law enforcement – that’s second chances and to keep our community safe. I think everyone in their life has been given a second chance – I know I have!”