On Thursday, May 22, 2025, Operation New Hope had the privilege of welcoming the Jet HomeLoans team to our Jacksonville office for a visit that will have a lasting impact across the state of Florida. They arrived with an incredibly generous donation of 51 laptops to support digital access and technology training for clients navigating their reentry journeys.
As Florida’s Statewide Reentry Network, Operation New Hope is committed to removing barriers to employment and self-sufficiency for people with past justice involvement. This generous gift from Jet HomeLoans will allow us to equip even more clients with the digital tools and skills they need to succeed and remain competitive in today’s job market. The laptops will be distributed across our tech labs at program locations throughout the state and used to support hands-on instruction during Technology Bootcamp, a core component of our nationally recognized Ready4Work program.
In the Technology Bootcamp portion of Ready4Work, clients gain essential computer literacy skills, including managing email, building resumes, creating LinkedIn profiles, and conducting online job searches. Thanks to this donation, our tech labs will be better equipped to serve more participants at once, offering greater flexibility and expanding access as program enrollment grows. This support is especially impactful, as lack of access to technology is a common barrier for many individuals returning home from incarceration.
We are deeply grateful to Jet HomeLoans for being a committed Second Chance Supporter. As a mortgage lender focused on helping clients build their future through homeownership, Jet HomeLoans also prioritizes investing in the communities they serve. They understand that empowerment comes not only from stable housing but also from meaningful employment. Both are essential to achieving long-term stability and reducing recidivism. We are honored that they chose Operation New Hope to receive this impactful contribution.
During their visit, seven members of the Jet HomeLoans team joined us for a presentation about our mission and impact, followed by a tour of our Jacksonville facility. They had the opportunity to see the tech lab in action, observe the Ready4Work classroom, and witness firsthand how their donation will directly support individuals reentering the Jacksonville community.
This generous partnership was made possible through the coordination of Operation New Hope’s Operations and Compliance Coordinator Kaitlin Mersnick and the support of Jet HomeLoans‘ IT team, including Jesi Pagan, and Benjamin Olsen, who ensured the laptops were ready for use and delivery to our facility.
To the entire Jet HomeLoans team, thank you for helping us bridge the gap in digital access for our clients and for believing in the power of second chances. Your investment in our mission will create a lasting impact and help more people rediscover opportunity through technology education.
