HopeWorks’ new organizational structure

A successful internal structure is key to creating a thriving organization. Like the parable of the two builders in Matthew 7:24, the stronger the foundation, the better chance you have at weathering storms. Since our organization was founded, we’ve grown and expanded exponentially. This growth has been an absolute blessing, but it required us to consider how we manage all of our functions on a daily basis.

Last year, under the guidance of our leadership team, we created a new organizational structure to guide HopeWorks’ many programs and departments. Let’s break down HopeWorks’ organizational structure and discuss how it best serves our staff and students.

Leaders

Under the guidance of Ron Wade, our executive director, for more than 10 years, HopeWorks flourished into the organization it is today. With three avenues of service including Adult Education and AESL, Employment Services and Holistic Reentry in partnership with Hope 2 Hire, HopeWorks strives to meet students – through hope found in Christ and a job – no matter where they may be in life.

Another portion of HopeWorks’ leadership comes from board members. Board members can serve a maximum of two three-year terms, then roll off to ensure the organization is incorporating new thoughts, opinions and oversight. They volunteer their time to assist with governance, budgets, etc. – all fun things nonprofit related! Without their generous support, we could not complete the work we do on a daily basis. You can view HopeWorks’ current board members here.

Directors

Next are HopeWorks’ directors. These team members serve as department heads who coordinate HopeWorks’ Adult Education, Personal and Career Development, Workforce Development and Outreach and AESL programs. Each department has its own goals and metrics, ensuring their work serves our neighbors in the most effective way possible. By breaking our programs down into formalized departments and installing full-time directors, HopeWorks gave each program needed structure, allowing each to build a vision and work toward it.

Plan development

Before this structure came to be, HopeWorks conducted internal surveys, interviews and held various discussions with all employees to determine what this new structure should look like. While it may seem counterintuitive to spend time on internal workings when there are plenty of daily action items to complete, an updated structure can make all the difference in an organization’s success. As a nonprofit, it is critical that we use our resources efficiently and effectively. Creating a strong internal structure is one step toward ensuring this.