Voices of Hope – Brooke D.
Before Hope: Addiction, Loss and Survival “I was raised in Nassau County and spent a few years growing up in Georgia. I became pregnant with my first child at 16, got married, and by the time I was 20, I was addicted to pain pills. My addiction quickly took over my life. After my first […]
Dressing for Success: Chandler’s Hope Clothes Closet Supports Ready4Work Clients in Jacksonville
Reentering the workforce after incarceration comes with many challenges — landing a job interview, building confidence, and adjusting to new expectations in professional settings. But for many returning citizens, one significant barrier comes before they ever step into an interview: the cost of professional attire. When first beginning work, most people don’t have the savings […]
From Hiring Partner to Workforce Leader: Melissa’s Journey with Operation New Hope
When Melissa first connected with Operation New Hope more than a decade ago, she was looking for great employees. As a hiring manager at a Jacksonville construction company, she faced the same challenge many employers do — finding dependable, skilled team members who would show up, work hard, and grow with the company. At the […]
Voices of Hope Update: Tanaine Jenkins – Florida State Organizer, REFORM Alliance
When we first met Tanaine Jenkins in 2012, she had just joined Operation New Hope’s Ready4Work program in Jacksonville. Seeking a fresh start after incarceration, her case manager quickly connected her to an interview at a logistics company, where she was hired right away. That opportunity was just the beginning of a journey that has […]
Voices of Hope – Shannon B.
Shannon Tabling with Her Employer, Curative Care Center “Before coming to Operation New Hope, I had never had a job before, never worked, and had never even made a resume. I had been in and out of jail my whole life. Eventually, I went to rehab in the Space Coast at a center called STEPS, […]
Operation New Hope Celebrates One Year of Impact in Tampa Bay
This month marks one full year since Operation New Hope opened its doors in St. Petersburg and Tampa, and what a year it has been. Since launching services in the Tampa Bay region in July 2024, we’ve had the privilege of supporting hundreds of individuals as they reenter their communities after incarceration. With the help […]
Meet the Instructor: Olivia Hanson’s Perspective on Reentry
Meet Olivia Hanson, a dedicated instructor at Operation New Hope’s Space Coast office, where people returning from incarceration receive the support they need to achieve stability and success. Operation New Hope is a nonprofit organization that helps individuals transform their lives through the nationally-recognized Ready4Work program. This three-week learning experience provides job readiness training, technology […]
Voices of Hope – Braeden C.
“I was born and raised on the East Coast. I left home at 13 years old and faced homelessness on and off over the years. When I came to Jacksonville, I ended up getting lost in substance abuse and really struggled to get out of that cycle. I remember just crying out and asking God […]
Turner Construction Helps Women Step Confidently Into the Workforce
Operation New Hope is incredibly grateful that Turner Construction continues to be a Second Chance Supporter, ensuring that the women enrolled in our programs have the tools and resources they need to succeed. On March 7th, 2025, Turner generously donated 20 pairs of high-quality work boots, helping women feel more prepared to step into new […]
Building Strong Financial Futures: VyStar Credit Union Visits Operation New Hope
On February 24, 2025, Operation New Hope had the pleasure of welcoming David Aubuchon, Business Development Leader, and Sabrina Spann, Assistant Branch Manager, from VyStar Credit Union to our Jacksonville program location. Their visit to our financial literacy class, part of the Ready4Work program, provided our clients with crucial insights on Identity Theft and Fraud […]
Operation New Hope Joins Mobile Reentry Unit Ribbon Cutting in St. Johns County
On Thursday February 20th, Operation New Hope Board Members Karen Holt, Stephen Colson, and Ashley Pratt, along with our Board Chair Coley Jones and ONH President/CEO Reggie Fullwood, attended the Mobile Reentry Unit Ribbon Cutting Event in St. Johns County. This innovative initiative, led by the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) and the Florida Foundation for […]
Florida’s Future: Operation New Hope’s Strategic 5-Year Plan
A Bold Vision for 2030-A Letter from CEO Reggie Fullwood As we step into 2025, Operation New Hope (ONH) is embracing a new era of growth and transformation. With the recent approval of our strategic plan by the Board of Directors, we are poised to lead the charge toward a future where the impact of […]
Operation New Hope: 2024 Wrapped
As we close out 2024, we’re proud to reflect on a year filled with growth, milestones, and meaningful impact at Operation New Hope. From expanding our Ready4Work program to new communities, to serving a record-breaking number of clients, to earning top honors for our workplace culture, this year has been one of incredible progress. These […]
Voices of Hope – Michael M.
“After 27 years of addiction, 2 years of living on the streets, and 6 visits to jail, I finally decided to enroll at Operation New Hope. There, I was given the opportunity to learn things I had long forgotten – things like resume writing and job interview skills. But the most important part of the […]
Empowering Success Through Vocational Training: The Ongoing Impact of the Ready4Work Program
At Operation New Hope, we are committed to providing our clients with the tools and resources they need to build sustainable careers and reintegrate into society. One of the core ways we fulfill this mission is through our Ready4Work program, which offers a range of support as well as vocational training opportunities designed to equip […]
Meet the Staff-Christa Whitten
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGD3-c0ZEuU Christa is a Mental Health Therapist and licensed Clinical Social Worker who joined the Operation New Hope team in Jacksonville in October of 2022. She recently accepted the invitation to move to our new Tampa location to continue her work in mental health services and to help launch the Ready4Work program in the Tampa […]