Jobs & Hope operates within the West Virginia Department of Education and is the result of a concept brought forth by Gov. Justice during his 2019 State of the State address to remove barriers to job opportunities for those recovering from addiction. Since its inception in 2019, the program has had more than 232 participants graduate.
“It all started with a dream of helping people who were struggling by providing them with a pathway to meaningful and good-paying work. That’s exactly what Jobs & Hope is doing every day for West Virginians,” Gov. Justice said.
Successes of the program are showcased on the new website’s “Stories of Hope” page, which includes testimonials from participants in each region of the state that Jobs and Hope operates in.
“As we were developing this new site, it was important that we incorporated the program’s many successes and shared real stories of those who have completed their journeys,” said Jobs & Hope WV Lead Transition Agent Deb Harris. “We hope these stories serve as inspiration and encouragement to those who are looking for guidance and a fresh start.
“Not only is the new website filled with information for prospective participants to utilize, it will also be updated with the latest news of our program and new resources will be added as needed,” Harris added.
The process to participate in the program is also outlined in eight steps on the website’s “Start Your Journey” page. From here, individuals interested in joining can find out if they are eligible, sign up, and learn what the next steps are to complete the program and graduate. Additional questions and answers can be found on the “FAQ” page.
Jobs & Hope relies on resources and partnerships with various West Virginia agencies and organizations, many of which are included on the new site under the “Resources” tab.
Most recently, Jobs & Hope WV teamed up with the West Virginia Game Changer program to conduct the “Change Their Holiday” promotion and ensure families recovering from opioid and substance misuse are provided the financial means to enjoy a happy holiday season.
“West Virginia Game Changer is one of our many incredible partners that help make Jobs & Hope a success,” Harris said. “We are thrilled to be supporting their holiday initiative once again.”
More information about Jobs & Hope WV can be found on the new website at jobsandhope.wv.gov.
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