Building Confidence, One Knot at a Time: A Tie-Tying Event for Our Clients
Transitioning from incarceration back into society can be a daunting journey for many individuals. The challenges of finding employment and rebuilding one’s life can feel overwhelming, especially with all the barriers people face. For individuals with a criminal background, the stigma associated with their past can make it even more challenging to secure employment. However, with […]
Voices of Hope – Indeah E.
“I’m from Jacksonville, grew up on the Eastside, and had a wonderful life. I was raised right, but went down the wrong path. I was introduced to alcohol at 8 and started using drugs at 11. After being gang raped at 12 years old, I ran away from home, got sex trafficked, and was doing […]
Voices of Hope – Toby D.
“I spent time at Baker and Columbia Correctional Facilities for possession of firearms. I heard about Operation New Hope while incarcerated, but thought I wouldn’t be able to get into the program because of my charges. But the Ready4Release case managers worked with me to get me signed up. “Even though I had a job […]
Second Chance Supporter – Sontag Foundation
In honor of its 20th anniversary, the Sontag Foundation hosted a celebration last night to highlight the various grant programs that they have supported over the years with over $10 million invested in our community. Operation New Hope was honored to be among the grant recipients. Our team extends our most sincere thanks to the […]
Mayo Clinic Donates Laptops in Support of Second Chances
This holiday season, Operation New Hope received a wonderful gift of technology to support our mission to reconnect justice-affected people to the workforce, their families, and the community. We are so thankful to the Mayo Clinic and Mark St. George for their generous donation of 10 newly refurbished laptop computers. Mark told us that he […]
Meet James Lee – Operation New Hope’s New CFO
We are thrilled to announce that James Lee has joined the Operation New Hope team as our new Chief Financial Officer. A high energy, results-oriented professional with over 20+ years’ experience, James possesses extensive skills in the financial industry and has a proven record of creating processes leading teams to create a financially sound organization. Recognized […]
NFCAA Provides $100,000 Grant to ONH to Help More People Affected by the Justice System
Operation New Hope extends our most sincere thanks to Northeast Florida Community Action Agency for their significant donation in support of our mission. The $100,000 check presentation was made at our weekly Ready4Work client graduation on Friday, November 18, 2022, at noon. “We are dedicated to establishing mutually beneficial partnerships that connect families to available […]
Voices of Hope – Fazil L.
“When I was 13 years old, my mom was murdered in front of me. After that I was forced to take care of my brothers and sisters, and it felt like it was just me against the world. Hurt people hurt people, so I ended up spending 25 years in prison from the age of […]
ONH Joins Rand Corporation’s Town Hall Meeting
On September 20, 2022, Operation New Hope’s Chief Communications Officer Amanda Mahan joined the Rand Corporation’s Town Hall Meeting to discuss how training and support increases returning citizens chances at successfully securing living wage work after incarceration. Watch the full discussion below. Share this post Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Read More…
Meet the Staff – Jamara Stephens
Meet our Ready4Release Case Manager – Jamara Stephens. Jamara joined the Operation New Hope team in 2019 after working in mental health services. Her mother’s work with this population at the Tallahassee Police Department inspired her to earn her degree in criminal justice and dedicate her career in support of second chances. Working in collaboration […]
Second Chance Supporter – New Life Jax Recovery Services
Second Chance Month, observed in April, is a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction, and unlock second-chance opportunities for people who have completed their sentences to become contributing citizens. In celebration of Second Chance Month, our goal is to highlight community partners who support our mission by helping […]
Voices of Hope – Tanaine J.
“If everyone in America was judged only by their worst mistake, what would that look like? Where would we be? How can people be contributing citizens if they don’t have access to jobs they are qualified to do? When no one else is willing to give people with a record an opportunity, Operation New Hope […]
Partnering with Yoga 4 Change to Support Second Chances
“In Yoga, we learn that every day, moment, and breath is an opportunity to begin again. Teaching at Operation New Hope lets me share that message and remind each participant that the journey isn’t over,” shared Sammie Torres. Sammie is one of the Yoga 4 Change instructors who leads weekly yoga classes for Ready4Work participants […]
Voices of Hope – Ricky B.
“I was in prison for 12-13 years, wrongly accused of something I didn’t do, and I had no intention of doing the right thing when I got out. I figured I would just go right back, because there wasn’t anything for me on the outside anyway. But then I met the guys from Operation New […]
Voices of Hope – Shawn A.
“Before Operation New Hope, I was hopeless. I started drinking and drugging when I was 12, and by 17, I had done everything I swore I would never do. I entered a vicious cycle of incarceration. By the time I was 19, I got put in the Matrix and thought as long as I didn’t […]
Celebrating 35 Years of Service
After 35 years of collective service to Operation New Hope and our community, we extend our deepest thanks to both Cynthia Dean and Desiree Foster and wish them well as they transition to retirement. Their generous giving and willingness to give hope and opportunities to others has changed not only our organization, but our community […]