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 […]
Celebrating New Beginnings: Space Coast Open House
On Thursday, December 4th, Operation New Hope welcomed community members, partners, elected officials, and supporters to help celebrate our new Space Coast office in Cocoa during a very special Open House event. Operation New Hope first expanded to the Space Coast in August 2023 to meet the needs of justice-impacted individuals in Brevard County — […]
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 […]
High School Student Assembles 50 Hygiene Kits to Support Returning Citizens
Recently, Operation New Hope had the pleasure of welcoming a very special donation from a young leader in the Jacksonville community. Nadav Bagaria, an incoming sophomore at Stanton College Preparatory School, organized a toiletry drive and assembled 50 Welcome Home Kits valued at over $500, which he personally delivered to our Jacksonville office. These kits, […]
Empowering Through Employment: Jacksonville’s Third Annual Second Chance Job Fair
On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Operation New Hope was proud to co-host the Third Annual Second Chance Job Fair in Jacksonville: a powerful event designed to connect job seekers with employers who believe in opportunities for all. Held at the FSCJ Advanced Technology Center, the event was hosted by Operation New Hope, CareerSource of Northeast […]
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 […]
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 […]
Women’s Giving Alliance Visits Operation New Hope to Support Jacksonville Reentry
Jacksonville’s Women’s Giving Alliance (WGA) kicked off the new year with a meaningful visit to Operation New Hope’s Jacksonville program location for a Second Chance Showcase and an interactive volunteer experience. This event provided WGA members with the opportunity to engage with our mission, connect with clients, and witness firsthand the transformative power of second […]
Celebrating Generosity: Spherion’s Support of Second Chances
The holiday season is a time for giving, and last Friday, Spherion exemplified the true spirit of generosity and community support. We were thrilled to welcome their team to Operation New Hope as they spent the day making a tangible impact on the lives of our clients. Their dedication and kindness remind us why partnerships […]
Where Art Meets Impact: The Art of Hope Closing Reception
Operation New Hope (ONH), dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty and incarceration in Florida, recently hosted an inspiring Closing Reception for The Art of Hope exhibition. Held at the University of North Florida’s Student Union in the Lufrano Intercultural Gallery and The Boathouse, the event welcomed over 150 guests to an evening celebrating art, […]
Celebrating Creativity and Resilience at The Art of Hope Poetry Workshop
The Art of Hope Poetry Workshop brought an evening of inspiration, creativity, and powerful storytelling to our Jacksonville community. Held at the UNF Lufrano Intercultural Gallery, the workshop highlighted voices within the justice-impacted community, showcasing their resilience and self-expression through the arts. We were honored to welcome local poets Jessica Stark, Devin Coleman, and Daniel Welch, […]
New Partnership: Clothing with Purpose for Returning Citizens
At Operation New Hope, we’re always looking for new ways to support our clients as they transition from incarceration back into their communities. Today, we’re excited to announce a new partnership with Presbyterian Social Ministries (PSM), a Jacksonville-based organization that shares our commitment to helping individuals rebuild their lives. A couple of weeks ago, our […]
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 […]
Meet the Staff-Darryl Matthews
Meet Darryl Matthews, the Career Development Lead at our Jacksonville location. Darryl joined the Operation New Hope team in 2019. He interacts with every client in the Ready4Work program in Jacksonville, teaching the Career Development portion of classes daily. His instruction covers a range of topics including body language, valuing diversity, anger management, and responding […]