Evelyn ringing the HOPE bell to celebrate her new job!

What We Do

The HOPE Program empowers New Yorkers to achieve economic self-sufficiency through employment and advancement.  By blending vocational, educational, and social services with a lifelong commitment to a person's growth, HOPE demonstrates that New Yorkers facing significant challenges can build brighter futures for themselves and their families.

We provide hundreds of hours of rigorous training in literacy, math, computer skills, workplace communications, stress management, customer service and other skills essential for career success. Classroom instruction is coupled with a minimum of 100 hours of on-the-job training, mental health support, legal counseling, daily meals, and professional clothing. HOPE students work with dedicated employment specialists to secure jobs that match their skills and interests. HOPE's commitment extends beyond the first job placement, as we work with each graduate to retain their jobs and grow in their careers. 

What Keeps Us Up At Night

• New York City's unemployment rate remains at approximately 10%
• Men and women with histories of incarceration face unemployment up to 40%
• Those without a diploma or GED face unemployment of 13%
• Only 1 in 10 long-term unemployed successfully secure employment

This is where HOPE comes in. We believe that those facing even the deepest employment barriers can build new skills and succeed in the workforce.