Helping Teens Prepare for the Workforce

Thanks to a grant from the United Way of Northeast Florida, Operation New Hope has been working with Teen Leaders of America to help teens prepare to be successful in the workforce. Funding from United Way’s Economic Mobility Grant has supported programming focused on the specific needs of 18 to 24 year-olds and has allow us to partner with several community partners like Teen Leaders of America, a proven nonprofit that focuses on youth development, to increase the number of young adults we support. 

In addition to working with young adults who have been sentenced and served time in our post-release Ready4Work program, we have also been investing in a “prevention approach” that keeps young people out of the criminal justice system. Poverty is a key indicator to involvement and providing career and personal training and support services to young adults will help them navigate life and avoid hardship is key to breaking the cycle. 

Teen Leaders of America (TLA) – Certified Teens Workforce Development program has been a success for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024. During that time, they have served 90 high school teens helping them receive certifications in Google IT/STEM, Real Estate and Florida Ready to Work/Duval Ready (a workforce development program implemented by DCPS). Five high school seniors received scholarships to sit for the State of Florida Real Estate Salesperson exam. TLA teens are getting workforce ready and Operation New Hope is proud to be part of their journey. 

Thanks again to the United Way of Northeast Florida for the continued investment in our mission. #HopeStartsHere