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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Voices of Hope – Jazmin Y.
“I am originally from New York and moved to Florida when I was 17 years old, a senior in high school. I got into an unhealthy relationship that lasted 7 or 8 years. We had a bad breakup, which led to me doing time. While I was in prison, I heard about Operation New Hope […]
Celebrating Perseverance: Starleen’s Journey to Success
At Operation New Hope, we believe in the power of resilience and dedication. Today, we’re thrilled to share the inspiring story of Ready4Work client, Starleen, who exemplifies the strength of perseverance. Last year, Starleen received support from Operation New Hope to pursue a phlebotomy class. Despite her best efforts, she didn’t pass on her first […]
Race to Success: Highlights from Our 3rd Annual 5K Event
With over 350 runners and walkers participating, the 3rd annual Hope Starts Here 5K presented by Florida Capital Bank was a great success! We raised over $25,000 in celebration of our 25th anniversary! At the starting line, Reggie Fullwood, President and CEO of Operation New Hope said, “We do this because we want to raise […]
Celebrating Women in Construction
Since 1998, Women in Construction Week has celebrated and promoted the role of women in the construction industry, and our friends at Turner Construction are celebrating by donating 30 pairs of new women’s work boots and hundreds of new safety vests to support our Ready4Work female clients entering the construction industry. Turner’s team stopped by […]
Education, Employment and Second Chances Matter!
Susan Kowalski, Operation New Hope’s Deputy Director of our READY4WORK Space Coast program location, attended the Florida Prison Education Project (FPEP) Open House last week at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Founded in 2017, FPEP is an initiative of the University of Central Florida that seeks to offer a high-quality undergraduate education to people […]
2nd Annual Hope Starts Here 5k = Great Success!
With over 400 in attendance, the 2nd annual Hope Starts Here 5k presented by Florida Capital Bank was a great success! The race began and ended at Operation New Hope’s main office in the Historic Springfield neighborhood on a beautiful May morning. Runners and walkers enjoyed a route through charming tree-lined streets, past homes dating […]
Ready4Work Graduates from St. Johns County Reentry Center
The St. Johns County Reentry Center is up and running, and we are thrilled to report that our partnership with the Sheriff’s Office is off to a fantastic start! Our team has been providing reentry support and training to people currently incarcerated at the St. Johns County Jail for several weeks now, and as evidenced […]
Voices of Hope – Jarvis G.
“I had no idea how much the criminal justice system would impact my life. After serving 2 years in prison, the only job I could get was washing dishes. I was trying to provide for my wife and kids but having a hard time making ends meet. It was a really low point in my […]