New Hope Resource Center of Winston Salem

09/22/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fresh Hope and Winston-Salem Rescue Mission Forge Transformative Workforce Partnership

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — September 22, 2026 — The Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem™ and the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission have forged a powerful partnership to move men beyond recovery and into employment, sustainable careers, economic independence, and renewed purpose.

On November 7, 2026, 29 men from the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission will enter Fresh HOPE’s expanding workforce ecosystem as Hope Achievers. Three additional participants will be interviewed on Wednesday, September 23. If selected, the partnership will include 32 men—representing approximately 10.7 percent of Fresh Hope’s historic scale-up to 300 Hope Achievers.

This milestone reflects the visionary leadership of Jeff Beale, Executive Director, and Dr. Brian Long, Executive Program Director of the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission. Together, they are establishing a bold new direction—one that not only helps men overcome their past but also equips them to build a sustainable future. Dr. Long brings invaluable experience and a vision for a transformative system that helps men recover in a Christian environment and achieve lasting success.

“Jeff Beale and Dr. Brian Long understand that restoration must lead somewhere,” said Bishop John C. Parks, President and Founder of the New Hope Resource Center of Winston-Salem, Inc. “A man should not emerge from crisis only to encounter another closed door. This partnership creates a bridge from recovery to readiness, from readiness to opportunity, and from opportunity to economic mobility.”

Through Fresh Hope, participants will receive access to career training, employability and success skills development, mentoring, industry-recognized credentials, barrier-removal services, employer connections, job placement assistance, and continued support after employment. Career pathways include skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, cybersecurity, and business start-up and development.

Interested individuals can ENROLL TODAY and refer others to the Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem.™ Enrollment ends on October 19, 2026. To enroll, applicants should click the link below to complete the enrollment form. A meeting will be scheduled for an interview. https://form.jotform.com/261198010990154

Collaborating with Fresh Hope declares that a temporary chapter in a person's life should not permanently confine them. Together with our 40 strategic partnering organizations, we are transforming recovery into readiness, readiness into employment, and employment into economic ability.

About Fresh HOPE
The Fresh HOPE Workforce Development Ecosystem™ is an initiative of the New Hope Resource Center of Winston-Salem, Inc., a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. Fresh Hope creates coordinated pathways and infrastructure to career preparation, sustainable employment, entrepreneurship, and long-term economic mobility.

Media Contact:
John C. Parks
President, New Hope Resource Center of Winston-Salem, Inc.
704-232-3993
[email protected]

09/01/2026

🚨 FORSYTH COUNTY, FRESH HOPE IS SCALING TO 300 PARTICIPANTS!

If you fit one of the categories, you should consider enrolling today!
+Underemployed
+Unemployed
+Lack the employability skills to get promoted
+Want to change career paths into technical or skilled trades careers
+Want an opportunity to create the BEST version of you

FRESH HOPE IS HERE!! IT'S FREE!

You can ENROLL TODAY and refer individuals to enroll in the Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem.™

To enroll, click the link below to complete the enrollment form. https://form.jotform.com/261198010990154

Enrollment starts August 24, 2026, through October 19, 2026. Workforce development sessions begin November 7, 2026.

WE ALL CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Share this post with someone who should know about this opportunity. Share this message with your organization and help us reach the next generation of high-value employees.

To enroll, click the link below to complete the enrollment form. https://form.jotform.com/261198010990154

The Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem™ is preparing to welcome a new cohort of 300 adults, ages 17 and older, into pathways designed to connect people with workforce preparation, career skills, industry-recognized credentials, employment opportunities with annual wages of $44,000 to $52,000 or more, and long-term economic mobility.

We are asking every church, nonprofit organization, business, neighborhood association, fraternity, sorority, civic organization, and concerned resident in Forsyth County to help us identify and refer individuals who are ready for a fresh hope.

Bishop John C. Parks
President, New Hope Resource Center of Winston-Salem, Inc.
[email protected]

OPPORTUNITY CHANGES EVERYTHING—AND ONE REFERRAL COULD CHANGE A LIFE.

Boston Red Sox Highlights

08/31/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2026

FRESH HOPE COLLABORATES WITH N.C. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND NCWORKS LEADERSHIP TO EXPAND PATHWAYS TO HIGH-VALUE EMPLOYMENT

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem™, an initiative of the New Hope Resource Center of Winston-Salem, Inc., is collaborating with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and NCWorks Career Center Manager Pauleze Fitzgerald to expand career pathways connecting Forsyth County residents to high-value employment.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone as Fresh Hope scales to serve 300 participants—known as Hope Achievers—and strengthens the bridge between workforce preparation and sustainable careers.

Fresh Hope and NCWorks leadership will explore opportunities to align training with regional labor-market demands, expand access to career-development resources, deepen employer relationships, and create more direct pathways from technical training and industry credentials to interviews, employment, retention, and career advancement.

“This collaboration is about more than helping people find jobs—it is about positioning people to enter careers that can transform lives, strengthen families, and advance the economic future of our community,” said Bishop John C. Parks. “Pauleze Fitzgerald brings invaluable workforce-development expertise, employer relationships, and knowledge of the resources available through NCWorks and the Department of Commerce. Together, we can build stronger bridges between prepared, highly motivated Hope Achievers and employers seeking dependable talent.”

The collaboration will also support the development of Fresh Hope’s Career First Hiring Hub—an employer-connected strategy designed to match qualified participants with direct employers and staffing partners.

Employers and strategic partners are invited to support the expanding cohort through career exposure, work-based learning, apprenticeships, interviews, employment opportunities, financial investment, professional expertise, and other resources.

ABOUT FRESH HOPE
The Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem™ is a comprehensive workforce and economic-mobility initiative of the New Hope Resource Center of Winston-Salem, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its network of 43 strategic organizations and institutions integrates expertise and resources to prepare adults for sustainable careers and long-term success.

ABOUT NCWORKS
NCWorks is North Carolina’s statewide workforce-development system, connecting job seekers with employment, education, training, and career resources while helping employers recruit and develop skilled talent.

MEDIA AND PARTNERSHIP CONTACT
Bishop John C. Parks, BS, MBA, ESPO
President and Founder
New Hope Resource Center of Winston-Salem, Inc.
Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem™
[email protected]

08/24/2026

🚨 FORSYTH COUNTY, WE CANNOT LOOK AWAY—BUT WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

If you fit one of the categories, you should consider enrolling today!
+Underemployed
+Unemployed
+Lack the employability skills to get promoted
+Want to change career paths into technical or skilled trades careers
+Want an opportunity to create the BEST version of you

FRESH HOPE IS HERE!! IT'S FREE!

You can ENROLL TODAY and refer individuals to enroll in the Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem.™
To enroll, click the link below to complete the enrollment form. https://form.jotform.com/261198010990154

Enrollment starts August 24, 2026, through October 19, 2026. Workforce development sessions begin November 7, 2026.

WE ALL CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Share this post with someone who should know about this opportunity. Share this message with your organization and help us reach the next generation of high-value employees.

To enroll, click the link below to complete the enrollment form. https://form.jotform.com/261198010990154

The Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem™ is preparing to welcome a new cohort of 300 adults, ages 18 and older, into pathways designed to connect people with workforce preparation, career skills, industry-recognized credentials, employment opportunities with annual wages of $44,000 to $52,000 or more, and long-term economic mobility.

We are asking every church, nonprofit organization, business, neighborhood association, fraternity, sorority, civic organization, and concerned resident in Forsyth County to help us identify and refer individuals who are ready for a fresh hope.

Bishop John C. Parks
President, New Hope Resource Center of Winston-Salem, Inc.
[email protected]

OPPORTUNITY CHANGES EVERYTHING—AND ONE REFERRAL COULD CHANGE A LIFE.

08/20/2026

🚨 FORSYTH COUNTY, WE CANNOT LOOK AWAY—BUT WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

DID YOU KNOW?

The latest U.S. Census data reveal a troubling economic divide within our community:

• In Winston-Salem, per capita income is approximately $37,345.
• In North/East Winston-Salem [27105], per capita income is approximately $22,015
• In North/East Winston-Salem’s population of 40,678 residents, 27.1% of residents—nearly 10,870 people—live below the poverty line.
• Poverty: $15,960 or less annually [Approximately $7.67/hour]
• Low income: approximately $15,961–$31,920 [Approximately $15.95/hour]

These are not just numbers. They represent people with talent, determination, and potential who need a pathway to opportunity. Poverty is a community problem—and economic mobility must become a community mission.

That is why the Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem™ exists.

You can begin by referring an individual to enroll in the Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem.™

Enrollment starts August 24, 2026, through October 19, 2026. Workforce development sessions begin November 7, 2026.

WE ALL CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Share this email and/or attached flyer with someone who should know about this opportunity. Share this message with your organization, and help us reach the next generation of high-value employees. To enroll, scan the QR code on the attached flyer or click the following link to fill out an enrollment form. https://form.jotform.com/261198010990154

The Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem™ is preparing to welcome a new cohort of 300 adults, ages 18 and older, into pathways designed to connect people with workforce preparation, career skills, industry-recognized credentials, employment opportunities with annual wages of $44,000 to $52,000 or more, and long-term economic mobility.

We are asking every church, nonprofit organization, business, neighborhood association, fraternity, sorority, civic organization, and concerned resident in Forsyth County to help us identify and refer individuals who are ready for a fresh hope.

Bishop John C. Parks
President, New Hope Resource Center of Winston-Salem, Inc.
[email protected]

OPPORTUNITY CHANGES EVERYTHING—AND ONE REFERRAL COULD CHANGE A LIFE.

*Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020–2024 American Community Survey estimates

08/14/2026

🚨 FRESH HOPE ENROLLMENT OPENS AUGUST 24! 🚨

Are you ready to move from simply looking for an opportunity to preparing for a meaningful career?

The Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem™ is now preparing to enroll adults ages 20 and older throughout Winston-Salem and Forsyth County!

Fresh Hope equips participants with:
✅ Real-world employability skills
✅ Workforce training and skill development
✅ Career and employment opportunities
✅ Mentorship and personal growth
✅ Community support and valuable connections.

Enrollment Period: August 24–October 19, 2026
Classes Begin: November 7 and 8, 2026
Availability: Only 180 slots!

Your past does not have to limit your future. Whether you are unemployed, underemployed, seeking a career change, or ready to develop new skills, Fresh Hope is prepared to help you take your next step.

Your future is our focus—and your possibilities are limitless!
📲 Space is limited! Scan the QR code on the flyer or click the link below to learn more and register.
https://form.jotform.com/261198010990154

Share this announcement with someone who needs an opportunity. Opportunity changes everything!

Bishop John C. Parks
President, New Hope Resource Center of Winston-Salem, Inc.
Founder, Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem

07/23/2026

07/22/2026

Three Financial Institutions Join Fresh Hope to Connect Careers to Capital

In a major step toward advancing economic mobility in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, representatives from First Citizens Bank, Allegacy Federal Credit Union, and Piedmont Federal Savings Bank met with Bishop John C. Parks, Founder of the Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem, to explore a shared vision of connecting careers to capital and building generational wealth.

The meeting recognized that a job is only the beginning of economic mobility. A paycheck becomes transformational when it leads to banking relationships, financial education, savings, credit, homeownership, entrepreneurship, and long-term wealth creation. Fresh Hope will scale to an annual cohort of 300 starting in November 2026, and should deliver an estimated economic output of $216 million in a five-year period.

The collaboration between First Citizens Bank, Allegacy Federal Credit Union, Piedmont Federal Savings Bank, and Fresh Hope represents an important milestone in building a more connected economic ecosystem—one designed to improve the economic output of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County while creating new opportunities for individuals and families to thrive.

All three financial institutions agreed to collaborate in support of Fresh Hope's mission to expand economic opportunity for underserved and underprivileged individuals. They also committed to reconvene within the next two weeks to develop a proposal for establishing a Career-First Banking Roundtable—a collaborative effort designed to strengthen workforce development, financial empowerment, and wealth-building opportunities throughout the region.

"This meeting demonstrates what is possible when community leaders choose collaboration over competition," said Bishop John C. Parks. "Together, we can build a workforce-to-wealth pathway that transforms careers into capital and creates generational wealth."

This collaboration marks an important milestone for Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, proving that when financial institutions, employers, educators, nonprofits, and community leaders work together, they can create lasting economic opportunity, stronger families, and a more prosperous community for generations to come.

Bishop John C. Parks
President, New Hope Resource Center of Winston-Salem, Inc.
Founder, Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem ™ and The HUB ™
[email protected]

07/20/2026

Photo (R - L): Dr. Alfreda Smith, Principal of JF Kennedy; Bishop John C. Parks, President of NHRCWS, Inc & Founder of Fresh Hope; and Ms. Nicole Morris, Director of Student Services, John F. Kennedy.

The Problem Extends beyond Our Education System—It Is Rooted in Our Community’s Social System.

What happens when students receive an education but lack the support, relationships, practical life skills, and career connections needed to transform that education into a successful life?

For too long, we have expected schools to solve social and economic problems they were never designed—or adequately resourced—to solve alone. When young people struggle after graduation, community members should never participate in the “blame game.” We should participate in an integrated approach to make holistic and substantial improvements toward creating the top midsized city in the Southeast. The “silo’s approach creates multiplicity of duplication, and too many of our young people get lost in the maze, give up, and become a statistic. Our community does not suffer from a lack of programs; it suffers from a lack of coordination among programs.

Our education system must continually improve, but our schools cannot carry this responsibility alone. Families, churches, employers, government agencies, nonprofits, foundations, and community leaders must accept shared responsibility for preparing young people to thrive. This shared effort can inspire a collective sense of purpose.

Dr. Alfreda Smith, principal of John F. Kennedy High School, is a visionary and strategic leader who understands that education must be connected to opportunity. She is collaborating withBishop John C. Parks, founder of the Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem, to launch a bold community demonstration initiative designed to address this systemic challenge. The partnership establishes clear and complementary responsibilities: John F. Kennedy High School will focus on educating students, while Fresh Hope will help prepare them for life pathways, employment, and long-term economic mobility. Through this collaboration, students—particularly rising seniors and graduating seniors without clearly defined postsecondary plans—will receive training in 24 essential life-readiness and employability skills. These include communication, financial literacy, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, workplace behavior, conflict resolution, leadership, problem-solving, goal-setting, time management, career planning, and personal accountability.

However, the partnership will not stop with classroom training. Fresh Hope will connect students to career assessments, industry-recognized certifications, employers, interviews, and meaningful career opportunities above the living wage. Students will not simply be told to find employment; they will be guided through a coordinated pathway from education to employment – Career First Pathways.

More than program participation must measure success. The desired outcomes include graduation, certification completion, employment placement, increased wages, job retention, continued education, and long-term career advancement. This initiative is not an indictment of our educators. It is a call for the entire community to stand beside them. Teachers cannot eliminate poverty. Principals cannot independently create transportation, housing stability, mental-health support, professional networks, or employment opportunities. Community members can feel empowered knowing their involvement makes a difference.

The question is no longer, “What is wrong with our schools?” The more important question is, “What must our entire community do in an intentional and integrated way to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed?”

John F. Kennedy High School and the Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem offer a clear solution: educators focus on teaching, community partners work in an integrated way to remove barriers, employers open doors, and all of us accept responsibility for creating pathways to lasting success.

Our schools are responsible for educating students, but our entire community is responsible for building thesocial-support system that enables them to thrive.

" Opportunity changes everything."

Bishop John C. Parks, BS, MBA, ESPO.
President, New Hope Resource Center of Winston-Salem, Inc. Founder, Fresh Hope Workforce Development Ecosystem and The HUB
704-232-3993