News
How did HopeWorks start?
For more than 35 years, HopeWorks has supported Memphians needing second chances by providing essential education, counseling and career development programming. These programs cultivate personal relationships and lay a foundation for sharing the Gospel. But you may be wondering – how did HopeWorks come to be an organization?…
Meet the staff – Carissa Davis
HopeWorks is blessed with caring staff who are committed to our students and helping them succeed. One of those employees is Carissa Davis, associate director of Adult English as a Second Language. Carissa is passionate about her job and finds joy in assisting our students as they transition…
Why does passing the HiSET matter?
If you didn’t finish high school, you’re not alone. Nearly 20% of students in Memphis don’t graduate high school. There are a lot of reasons students choose to stop attending school, but those reasons don’t matter when you enter the job market. If you haven’t finished high school,…
Meet the staff – Fred Ross
HopeWorks is blessed with caring staff who are committed to our students and helping them succeed. One of those employees is Fred Ross, a student coordinator for Adult Basic Education at all of our corrections sites – including Shelby County Division of Corrections, Shelby County Jail, Jail East…
Meet the staff – Cheryl Ruddy
HopeWorks is blessed with passionate staff who care about our students and want them to succeed. Today, we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Ruddy, one of our ESL instructors. Cheryl’s desire to help others and share the love of Christ is infectious, and we’re so grateful she’s…
Employment in the Bible
In the Bible (and today), people’s professions are often used as identifiers – some accompanied by negative connotations. However, there are countless examples of people in the Bible with varying careers who were sought after by Jesus Himself, serving as a reminder that Jesus’ love is unending, unfailing…
If immigrants have graduate or postgraduate degrees in their home countries, why don’t they apply here?
Did you know the Migration Policy Institute estimates 20-25% of college educated immigrants are underemployed? This means despite their education in their native countries, some immigrants are working jobs they’re overqualified for while others struggle to find employment. Why is it so difficult for immigrants to obtain meaningful…
The ripple effect of education: How passing the HiSET impacts more than the diploma recipient
According to CLASP, there are an estimated 40 million Americans without their high school diploma. Life happens, but it’s never too late to pass your HiSET and receive your high school equivalency diploma, especially when the effects of your achievement affect not only yourself but those around you.…
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…
Five steps to address workplace conflict
Conflicts naturally arise when you spend time with people. Apart from your family, your coworkers likely see you more than anyone. Arguments or disagreements at the office are commonplace and often unavoidable. How you handle them says a lot about your professional maturity, respect for your place of…