Dignity at Work

WeHOPE breaks down all the barriers that stand in the way of achieving self-sufficiency through job training and life skill programs that put an end to underemployment, find affordable housing, help individuals budget for financial sustainability, and strengthen personal and community relationships through life skills classes and restorative practices to combat recidivism.

Restoring lives through dignified opportunities

HOPE JOBS

Join us for these exciting job training classes and take the first step towards building a successful career.

Job training and certification programs are designed to provide dignified employment and a livable wage to those facing underemployment or unemployment throughout the Bay Area.

HOPE Jobs provides free certification courses taught by nationally certified instructors within their professional industry. For more information on courses and enrollment contact info@wehope.org

Courses include:

  • The Custodian Technician class is led by a master trainer from the Cleaning Management Institute. You'll receive a certification after completing this 9-week program, which meets for 2 hours a week. You'll learn the science of cleaning and gain hands-on experience with restroom and carpet cleaning. With a maximum of 10 students per class, you'll receive personalized attention and instruction. At the end of the course, you'll take a test to demonstrate your mastery of the material.

  • The cooking Class is led by a 5-star chef and provides su chef training, as well as food handlers, permits. You'll learn valuable skills such as making salad dressing, cooking pasta, and using knives safely and effectively. Once the kitchen is down, you'll get the opportunity to practice your skills and receive feedback from our expert instructor.

600+ program graduates since the start of the program in 2016

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600+ program graduates since the start of the program in 2016 ♥︎

Combatting recidivism by helping the formerly incarcerated successfully transition into society with proper education, support, and resources.

In 2018, WeHOPE Partnered with Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, The City of East Palo Alto, and the San Mateo County Sherriff’s Office to launch a re-entry program for soon-to-be-released and formerly incarcerated individuals to help them successfully transition into society and unify with their families.
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The program offers life, communication, problem-solving, and financial management skills along with job and entrepreneurship training resulting in dignified employment that provides livable wages resulting in a reduction in recidivism.

By reducing recidivism rates while providing jobs with a purpose, we’re restoring hope.

In 2003, WeHOPE Founders Pastor Paul and Cheryl Bains recognized that adequate employment is key to reducing recidivism. Even more, a career with a purpose is important in building a fulfilling life.

Legislative and social barriers toward the formerly incarcerated can make it difficult to find work, which is why WeHOPE provides meaningful employment to those leaving prison while offering the support and resources needed to excel in their career and life.

More than 55% of all WeHOPE employees were formerly incarcerated.

‍WeHOPE’s “Restoring HOPE” recidivism rate is 3%, while the state of California’s overall recidivism rate is 50%

Combatting the school-to-prison pipeline and relations between youth offenders and police officers through restorative practices.

In partnership with the San Jose Police Department, WeHOPE will address and reduce the school-to-prison pipeline, the recidivism rate, and the risk of homelessness by reimagining relations, perceptions, and interactions between police and juvenile offenders of color through restorative practices.  

By bringing police officers and juvenile offenders of color together, each group can increase their understanding of the other and the challenges each face. WeHOPE’s unique approach includes:

  • Building healthy relationships between peace officers and youth offenders

  • Reduce, prevent, and improve harmful behavior (by both parties)

  • Repair harm and create positive relationships

Program launch: March 2021 – Lead gift provided by Amgen.