Voices of Hope – Leroy L.
Recalling the day he was sentenced to 25 years in prison, Leroy Lyles remembered feeling like the tunnel ahead of him was so long and dark and he could barely see a pin-prick of light at the end. At his lowest point, when no one was visiting him in prison or sending any letters, he […]
Voices of Hope – Raymond G.
On a rainy morning in April, Raymond Garber beamed with light as he listed the succession of recent job offers he’s received from the many upscale restaurants looking to hire him. With so many opportunities available, it’s hard to imagine that just a few months ago he was incarcerated. “It’s because I was given a […]
Voices of Hope – Lee L.
One of the early graduates of Operation New Hope’s Ready4Work program, Lee Livingston completed the program in 2007. As a young man, Lee experienced many interventional programs designed to help troubled youth, but remembers that “Operation New Hope was the only one that made the difference.” After receiving the job and life skills training and […]
Ready4Work Graduate Reclaims Right to Vote
Being an American citizen is very important to Franwartha Barnes and last Tuesday, she demonstrated that by reclaiming her right to vote. When Franwartha, a recent Ready4Work graduate, first learned about the initiative to restore the voting rights of former felons in Florida, she felt hopeful that Amendment 4 would pass. “I understood why my […]
Kendal McCoy Shares His Story
In the latest edition of The Hope Series, viewers are introduced to Kendal McCoy, a Ready4Work program graduate who has overcome challenges and emerged as a shining example of resilience and success. As a co-employee of the year, Kendal’s story serves as an example of hope and inspiration. Kendal’s journey begins with the devastating displacement […]
Jacksonville Leader Pushes for First Step Act in Washington, D.C.
Operation New Hope CEO & Founder, Kevin Gay, is in Washington, D.C. this week meeting with legislators and other First Step Act (S. 2795) supporters in an effort to see the bill get passed before the session ends next month. The bill has benefited from wide support on both sides of the aisle, as well […]
Operation New Hope Awarded “Best Organization” in Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Awards
For immediate release Jacksonville, Fl (October 25, 2018) – Operation New Hope was awarded “Best Organization” at the 2018 Jacksonville Environmental Luncheon. While the award was an organizational award, it was largely accomplished through the leadership of Reggie Lott, Property and Facilities Manager for Operation New Hope (Pictured with CEO, Kevin Gay). Some of the projects […]
Operation New Hope recipient of special $350,000 grant from The Jim Moran Foundation honoring Jim Moran’s 100th birthday
Jacksonville, Florida (October 5, 2018) – The Jim Moran Foundation recently announced more than $10 million in grants to commemorate what would have been Jim Moran’s 100th birthday on August 8th. Operation New Hope, a first-time grant recipient of The Jim Moran Foundation, received a two-year grant totaling $350,000 for its nationally-recognized Ready4Work® program. Jim Moran’s legacy […]