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 […]
From Start to Finish: Hope Starts Here 5K Inspires Change
On Saturday, September 27, 2025, nearly 200 Orlando community members came together at Harbor Park in Lake Baldwin for the Third Annual Hope Starts Here 5K Orlando, raising awareness, funds, and support for second chances. Benefiting Operation New Hope, Florida’s Statewide Reentry Network, the event united participants of all ages and experience levels to run, […]
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 […]
Jet HomeLoans Donates Over 50 Laptops to Expand Digital Access for Returning Citizens
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 […]
Jacksonville Runs for Reentry at the 4th Annual Hope Starts Here 5K
Jacksonville community rallies around reentry, opportunity, and wellness. On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the community gathered in Jacksonville’s Historic Springfield neighborhood for Operation New Hope’s 4th Annual Hope Starts Here 5K. This year’s event marked our largest turnout yet, with over 400 runners and walkers participating. The morning kicked off with inspiring words from Reggie […]
Operation New Hope Celebrates Over 100 Ready4Work Graduates in St. Pete
On April 25th, Operation New Hope proudly celebrated a major milestone, recognizing more than 100 individuals who have graduated from the Ready4Work program in St. Pete since the location opened in July 2024. The celebration brought together community members, partners, and supporters to recognize the achievements of our clients and the transformative impact of second […]
Second Chance Month 2025
April 1st marks the beginning of Second Chance Month 2025—a time to raise awareness about the challenges people face after incarceration and to celebrate the life-changing power of opportunity. At Operation New Hope, this month holds special meaning as we work year-round to provide the support justice-impacted individuals need to rebuild their lives and thrive. […]
Operation New Hope Earns Candid’s Platinum Seal of Transparency 2025
At Operation New Hope, transparency and accountability are fundamental to our success as a nonprofit. We are proud to announce that we have once again earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, the world’s largest source of nonprofit information. This marks another year receiving this prestigious recognition, reinforcing our commitment to openness, impact, and […]
Operation New Hope Awarded Top Workplace for Third Consecutive Year
We are thrilled to announce that Operation New Hope has been recognized as a Top Workplace in Jacksonville for 2025 by the Florida Times-Union—marking our third consecutive year receiving this incredible honor! This achievement is a testament to our dedicated and passionate staff, whose commitment to our mission creates a workplace culture that is both inspiring and impactful. At Operation New […]
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 […]
Space Coast Ready4Work Clients Complete Manufacturing Essentials Certification
Through a partnership with Eastern Florida State College, our Ready4Work Space Coast clients have the unique opportunity to earn a Manufacturing Essentials certification in the Mechatronics Apprenticeship Lab. This program is designed to equip them with the foundational skills required in the manufacturing industry, making them more competitive in the job market. Hands-On Learning with Cutting-Edge Technology […]
Voices of Hope Update – Aaron H.
Founded in March 1999, Operation New Hope is celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, commemorating our legacy of transformative impact on the people and communities we serve. To mark this momentous occasion, we reached out to some of our former clients to see how they are doing now. Years after returning home, they are still […]
Biden Declares April 2024 as Second Chance Month
Jacksonville, Florida – Operation New Hope, a statewide nonprofit that provides support and training designed to reduce recidivism, joins individuals, communities, and agencies across the country to recognize the importance of reentry during Second Chance Month. In a Proclamation on Second Chance Month issued on March 29, 2024, President Biden stated “America was founded on […]
Ready4Work Orlando Celebrates First Year
To meet the critical needs of the thousands of people who return home to Central Florida every month from jail and prison, Operation New Hope opened a new program location in Orlando in September 2022 as part of our Statewide Reentry Network. After our first year of delivering our nationally-recognized Ready4Work reentry program and providing […]