Second Chance Month 2026
What is Second Chance Month? Second Chance Month 2026 is a nationwide initiative observed each April to raise awareness about the challenges faced by justice-impacted individuals while promoting second chances, reducing stigma, and expanding opportunities for successful reentry. Launched in 2017, this effort has grown into a national movement supported by bipartisan leaders, state governments, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Celebrating First Class of Graduates at Ready4Work Tampa
Last Friday, Operation New Hope celebrated a significant milestone with the first graduation of the Ready4Work program in Tampa! This momentous occasion not only highlights the resilience and determination of our graduates but also marks the beginning of a new chapter for our organization as we expand our reach into the Tampa Bay community. A […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The UPS Foundation Supports Second Chances
UPS Grant Presentation to Operation New Hope The UPS Foundation has made a significant investment of $250,000 to support second chances in Jacksonville, Florida. Operation New Hope is excited to partner with UPS to expand vocational training opportunities for our Ready4Work clients. Grant funding will also support development of an Emerging Leaders Training program that […]
A Second Chance at Education
GED teacher Mr. Ashley, is a math teacher at Cocoa High School by day and GED teacher by night In the journey towards rehabilitation and reintegration into society, access to education plays a pivotal role. For those seeking a fresh start, Operation New Hope is offering GED preparation in partnership with Brevard Adult & Community Education to […]
Voices of Hope Update – Aaron F.
In celebration of Operation New Hope’s 25th Anniversary and Second Chance Month (April), we reached out to some of our former clients to see how they are doing now. Years after returning home, they are still applying what they have learned during their time here at Operation New Hope to achieve success and build a […]
Second Chance Supporters Celebrating 25 Years
In celebration of Second Chance Month, Operation New Hope hosted an event to thank our great employment and community partners who have supported our mission and helped us achieve success over the past 25 years. The evening began with happy hour drinks and hors d’oeuvres followed by the presentation of Second Chance Supporter Awards to […]