FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 19, 2019
Contact:
For Public Health Management Corporation
Emily Charles, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 215-589-7183
Public Health Management Corporation Introduces “Code for Success” with Hopeworks 'N Camden
Program provides at-risk youth in Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey with technology-based workforce development
PHILADELPHIA (February 19, 2019) – Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities, introduced the Code for Success program in partnership with Hopeworks Camden, a nonprofit youth training and development organization in Camden, New Jersey. Funded through a $775,000 TD Ready Challenge grant, Code for Success will help at-risk youth obtain high-paying careers in the health care and technology industries.
Code for Success blends evidence-based work readiness curriculum, real world technology skills training, and comprehensive health and human services to provide young adults with the resources and education needed to achieve lifelong financial independence and security. The year-long program will serve 175 at-risk and low-income individuals from the Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey regions.
“The Code for Success program provides our region’s youth with a ‘super-vitamin’ combination of skills training, job readiness and wellness support to excel in today’s evolving and technologically accelerated workforce,” said Christina Miller, Managing Director, Health Promotion Services. “We can’t thank our friends at TD Bank and Hopeworks enough for their continued support and collaboration as we work to help build bright and financially secure futures for our region’s youth.”
To kick-off the program, more than 45 young adults attended a resource fair at Hopeworks to learn about the different programs available through PHMC’s continuum of health, human and social services. Students were able to meet with representatives whose work focuses on job readiness and placement, parenting education, health care and behavioral health services, empowerment and leadership initiatives, trauma support and treatment, along with services to support successful transitions for individuals aging out of foster care.
“When our youth win and move on to productive employment, our whole region wins,” shared Dan Rhoton, Executive Director, Hopeworks. “This focus on youth success really means success for our whole region.”
PHMC was named as one of 10 grant recipients of the inaugural TD Ready Challenge in October 2018. With a focus on financial security, all TD Ready Challenge grant recipients will create innovative solutions to increase income stability and help prepare people for the economy of the future. TD Ready
Challenge is part of The Ready Commitment, a multi-year program targeting $775 million in total community giving by 2030.
"The changing workplace presents new opportunities for prosperity, but we must provide everyone with a chance to succeed," said Michael Carbone, TD Bank's PA/NJ Regional President. "TD established The Ready Challenge grants to fund innovative training and education solutions like those offered through PHMC's "Code for Success" program. This program is providing youth with the skills necessary to excel in the technologically-driven workplace and achieve financial security."
Additional details on the TD Ready Challenge can be found at www.td.com/readychallenge.
About PHMC
Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities. PHMC uses best practices and evidence-based guidelines to improve community health through direct service, partnership, innovation, policy, research, technical assistance and a prepared workforce. PHMC has served the region since 1972. For more information on PHMC, visit phmc.org, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
About Hopeworks 'N Camden
With a focus on education, technology, and entrepreneurship, Hopeworks provides a positive, healing environment that propels young people to build strong futures and break the cycle of violence and poverty in Camden, New Jersey. Hopeworks trainees learn state-of-the-art computer applications such as geographic information services (GIS) and website development, as well as the necessary professional skills to land future employment.
Since its founding in 2000, nearly 3,000 young people have become Hopeworks trainees and become connected to life-changing opportunities where their growing technology skills go to work for enterprising businesses within the community. Hopeworks has been recognized regionally and nationally by organizations such as The Scattergood Foundation and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
About the TD Ready Challenge
Acting as a springboard for social innovation, TD established the TD Ready Challenge to identify and support scalable solutions to a specific issue identified within The Ready Commitment. In its inaugural year, the TD Ready Challenge encouraged organizations across North America to create innovative solutions to help increase income stability and give people the skills they need for the economy of the future. In total, TD awarded $10 million (CDN) for the 2018 Challenge.
From more than 200 submissions, TD shortlisted 15 finalists who presented their solutions on September 7, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario. Applications were judged in two rounds by a panel composed of TD executives and external subject matter experts, including Linda Nazareth, economist and trends expert, and Jennifer Tescher, president and CEO, Centre for Financial Services Innovation (CFSI).
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