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Nov 7 2023
Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Programs Rates ONH as an evidence-based model

Office of Justice Programs sealProgram Profile: Operation New Hope

This is a curriculum-based aftercare program designed to assist chronic, high-risk juveniles in their reintegration to the community after they are released from secure confinement.

Evidence Rating: Promising – One study Promising - One study

Date: This profile was posted on July 20, 2012

This is a curriculum-based aftercare program designed to assist chronic, high-risk juveniles in their reintegration to the community after they are released from secure confinement. The program is rated Promising. Participants in the treatment group had a statistically significant lower number of rearrests and revocations and lower likelihood of substance use and associations with negative peers, compared with participants in the control group.

A Promising rating implies that implementing the program may result in the intended outcome(s).

Program Goals/Target Population

Operation New Hope (previously called Lifeskills ’95) is a curriculum-based aftercare treatment program designed to assist chronic, high-risk juveniles in their reintegration to the community after they are released from secure confinement. The program reinforces small successes while addressing their fears of the real world. The program is designed to treat improperly socialized juveniles by using a series of lifestyle and life skill treatment modalities in an integrated educational approach to healthy decision-making.

Program Theory

The program is grounded in the dynamics of William Glasser’s (1965) “reality therapy” approach. The approach used by the curriculum is based on six programmatic principles believed to help with reintegration:

  1. Improve the basic socialization skills necessary for successful reintegration into the community.
  2. Significantly reduce criminal activity in terms of amount and seriousness.
  3. Alleviate the need for or dependence on alcohol or illicit drugs.
  4. Improve overall lifestyle choices (social, education, job training, and employment).
  5. Reduce the individual’s need for gang participation and affiliation as a support mechanism.
  6. Reduce the high rate of short-term parole revocations.

These principles address the behavioral antecedents believed to be most responsible for failure to reintegrate. A juvenile’s inability to function and adapt to the norms of society is seen as a lifelong problem attributable to the early family socialization process and exacerbated by poor school performance, alcohol and/or illicit drug use, and strong attachments to negative peer groups (Josi and Sechrest 1999).

Program Activities

The treatment consists of 39 hours of programming completed over 13 consecutive weekly meetings that concentrate on different coping skills. There are 13 primary and 29 secondary program treatment topics. The 13 primary topics are 1) Program Introduction, 2) The “Pit”—Dealing With Your Emotions, 3) Unmanageability, 4) Denial, 5) The Problem of Thinking You Can Do It Alone, 6) “Letting Go,” 7) Perceptions, 8) Expectations, 9) Reality, 10) Love, 11) Family Dynamics, 12) Living With Addiction, and 13) Continuous Practice. Each session lasts approximately 3 hours. The first half of each session is used for lectures, while the last half of each session is used for group discussion.

Participants may begin the program during any point in the curriculum. Participation in a given session does not depend on attending the previous session for understanding, nor for progressing through the program.

Additional Information

Operation New Hope also operates a youth training program for at-risk youth age 17 to 21 years old. Before employment placement, staff conduct preemployment skills training and workshops that include topics such as interviewing, grooming, and educational/vocational requirements. The program is run in partnership with the County of San Bernardino (Calif.) Workforce Investment Board. Operation New Hope, in partnership with John Muir Charter School, also provides academic services to help youths attain their high school diplomas or GEDs. However, the effects of these portions of the program have not been evaluated.

Study 1

Rearrests

Josi and Sechrest (1999) found that participants in the treatment group who participated in Operation New Hope were less likely to be rearrested, compared with participants in the control group. At the end of the evaluation period, 32.1 percent of the treatment group had been arrested, compared with 53.9 percent of the control group. This difference was statistically significant.

Revocations

Participants in the treatment group had fewer revocations, or parole failures, compared with participants in the control group. At the end of the evaluation period, 34.9 percent of the treatment group had revocations, compared with 53 percent of the control group. This difference was statistically significant.

Substance Abuse

Participants in the treatment group were less likely to abuse substances, compared with participants in the control group. At the end of the evaluation period, 81 percent of the treatment group had no positive urine tests, compared with 48.5 percent of the control group. This difference was statistically significant.

Association with Negative Peers

Participants in the treatment group were less likely to associate with negative peers, such as former gang associates, compared with participants in the control group. At the end of the evaluation period, 43.4 percent of the treatment group reported fewer associations with negative peers, compared with 26.1 percent of the control group. This difference was statistically significant.

Study 1

The Operation New Hope (also known as Lifeskills ’95) program was evaluated by Josi and Sechrest (1999) using a quasi-experimental design with a nonrandomized treatment and a control group. The two groups were made up of juvenile parolees released from a secured facility between Feb. 1 and Dec. 31, 1995, who were assigned to the California Youth Authority’s (CYA’s) Inland Parole Office (which served both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties). If a juvenile reported a residence that was within a 25-mile radius of the Inland Parole Office at the time of release, he or she was placed in the treatment group. If the address was beyond the 25-mile radius, the youth was put into the control group. In this study, exactly 115 youths lived within the 25-mile radius, and 115 lived beyond the limit. However, during the evaluation period, nine parolees from the treatment group became involved in an additional program and were removed from the sample (n = 106 for the treatment group).

The overwhelming majority of participants were male—97.4 percent in the treatment group and 95.7 percent in the control group. The average ages were 20.0 and 20.2, respectively. The treatment group was 40.9 percent African American, 39.1 percent Hispanic, and 14.8 percent white. The control group was 50.4 percent Hispanic, 24.3 percent African American, and 20.0 percent white. There were no significant differences between the groups. The treatment group was required to attend all 13 Lifeskills ’95 classes, while the control group was not.

Data was collected through semi structured interviews and surveys of parolees, treatment facilitators, and parole agents. Random drug tests were also performed. Data was collected three times: 1) the first week after release, 2) after the treatment was complete (3 months after release), and 3) at the end of the evaluation period (Feb. 28, 1996). The CrimeSolutions review of this study focused on the results for the end of the evaluation period. At the end of the evaluation period, each juvenile assigned in the study had been on parole for a minimum of 3 months (those paroled in December 1995) to a maximum of 12 months (those paroled in February 1995).

There were several outcomes of interest examined in the study, including rearrest, revocation, substance abuse, and association with negative peers. Revocation was measured through parole failures, which was defined as dishonorable discharge, absent without leave or permission or missing, incarceration in juvenile hall or county jail, revocation for a technical violation, or revocation for a criminal violation. Data on parole failure and rearrest was obtained from the CYA’s Offender-Based Institutional Tracking System. Substance use was measured by examining the results of juveniles’ urine tests. Juveniles self-reported on their own reinvolvement with negative peer groups.

Chi-square analysis was used to test for statistically significant difference in outcome results between the treatment and control groups. Subgroup analyses were conducted to examine the difference in outcomes between treatment and control group participants who did not have revocations.

Operation New Hope manuals can be purchased through the program’s website. Training sessions are also available.

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Nov 7 2023
Spotlight on Operation New Hope: Helping Formerly Incarcerated Youth Create Bright Futures

Author: Inland Empire Community Foundation – This article originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, October 2022

In 1980 Operation New Hope (ONH), an Inland Empire-based youth rehabilitation program, was founded as a court-ordered recovery program for incarcerated teens. Bill Degnan, the organization’s founder, worked at California’s Youth Authority and was concerned about the number of young men who returned after being paroled. He believed the solution could be found outside of the prison walls and ONH began as a learning facility to educate and rehabilitate at-risk-youth before they were incarcerated.

ONH worked with youth 17-21 years old to help them understand negative decision-making and toxic relationships and to learn to trust themselves in making informed conscious decisions that would lead them in positive directions. The program focused on reinforcing small, everyday successes and helping teens feel safe. In building these skills, Degnan hoped that youth would no longer see drugs, alcohol and gang activity as means of safety. The goal was to produce confident, self-accepting youth who let go of past failures and focused on creating a bright future for themselves.

Research by Cal State San Bernardino and the University of California, Irvine demonstrated the success of the program. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has since listed Operation New Hope as a model program.

Today, the ONH continues under the leadership of Degnan’s son, Russell Degnan as CEO, whose goal was to grow the organization from a small nonprofit into a key stakeholder in the communities it served. Working youth throughout San Bernardino County, the organization leaned on its case management success adding in educational opportunities, leadership development and career pathway programs.

The organization opened two Youth Opportunity Centers in San Bernardino and Rancho Cucamonga serving foster youth, teen parents, youth experiencing homelessness, struggling with mental health, or who have experienced the judicial system.  Since 2010, 83% of participants who successfully completed ONH’s Career Pathway Program entered employment and/or enrolled in higher education or technical schools.

“We welcome people where they are at,” Russell Degnan said. “If you came here homeless, we aren’t going to expect you to be further along than that. We’ll help you from wherever you need to start.”

ONH continues to grow its programming and many of the programs it provides are supported through reimbursement contracts from government agencies. This can cause challenges with cash flow. The organization and its board of directors are working to build a more robust income stream that includes more philanthropic support.

Recently, ONH received a Community Impact grant through the Inland Empire Community Foundation. Degnan hopes that more individuals and businesses will discover the organization’s work and consider supporting it. There are also always openings for adult mentors.

“Not everyone has the finances to give but if they want to give back, they can be a mentor,” Degnan said. “We match up youth with an adult professional for a one-year commitment which has proven to increase the success rate.”

Individuals wishing to mentor can sign up through ONH’s website. They need to commit to one year and spend at least 5 to 8 hours a month engaged in a mutually-agreed-upon activity with their student. They should connect with their mentee once a week by telephone or email. Mentors are expected to model behaviors that will help their mentees grow into successful adults, be encouraging and help them develop a plan that will ensure they complete high school and go on to college, vocational school or to a job.

“The public doesn’t know that there is a youth program that helps those that didn’t graduate or are out of high school,” Degnan said “We have 1,000 youth and if we could get 300 with a mentor, as a society we are going to be a better place.”

More information: https://onhcares.org/ or  (951) 500-2910

This article originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, October 2022

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May 17 2021
Operation New Hope offers programing to transform lives of at-risk youth in San Bernardino County
By: Manny B. Sandoval

In April 2021, Congressman Pete Aguilar announced $145,000 in federal grant funding to Operation New Hope, a non-profit in San Bernardino that specializes in connecting at-risk and underserved youth with social services to succeed in life.

The organization, which services well over 600 youth per year, will now have the ability to strengthen its current programming and continue the rollout of its latest initiative undertaking Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which fosters leadership, partnerships, prevention and accountability.

“PSN is a nationwide initiative that brings together a coalition of federal, state, and local community leaders, prosecutors and law enforcement officials to find solutions to the most pressing crimes in the most violent areas of the county. One component of the PSN programming that makes it effective for our communities is that it’s coming from a place of prevention and intervention, opposed to targeting already gang-infested areas,” said Operation New Hope CEO Russell Degnan.

The program is targeting high-risk youth between the ages of 15-24 years old who have high absences in school, are identified as a truant, and/or previous problems with the law.

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“We have many agencies that we’ve partnered with countywide and we currently have a small cohort of youth in the program. But, in the next few months we will be fully ramped up to accept referrals from anyone in the county,” continued Degnan.

He shared that in the coming months if a resident in the county wants to recommend a family member to the program who falls under the specified age group, they can do so or even drop in for information.

One of the organization’s other programs currently in place is its Youth Opportunity Center.

“The Youth Opportunity Center brings together an evidence-based curriculum with social services through multiple agencies for the greater benefit of at-risk youth in the county. The process is fairly simple…first, we sit down with potential students to explain the program, which is followed by an application and an intake survey,” said Summerly Sanchez, Operation New Hope case manager.

One of the organization’s greatest strengths is it’s structured as a drop-in center, where all youth have the ability to visit, hang out, get a feel for the center before committing to a program or service.

From job fairs, food distributions to its transformative social services for youth in the county, the organization as a whole is looking forward to making an impact in the lives of at-risk youth now and in the future.

“Economic opportunity is the key to making sure our young people can live safe and productive lives as members of our community. I’ll continue working to secure federal funding for these types of initiatives to make sure young people in San Bernardino and across the Inland Empire have the resources they need to succeed,” said Aguilar. To learn more, visit onhcares.org

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May 17 2021
Operation New Hope gives San Bernardino students skills to pursue their dreams

By: Dr. Margaret Hill

Original article San Bernardino: https://www.sbsun.com/2021/04/01/operation-new-hope-gives-san-bernardino-students-skills-to-pursue-their-dreams/?fbclid=IwAR0QGnFD79Z7zC-ImYppJv-Vx92JPdNjxKIWZkXK2LpYPvdLo7bE8fJoR-0

Founded 40 years ago, Operation New Hope “envisions a community in which all youth, without regard of their living situation, have an equal opportunity to pursue their goals and dreams, and an equal likelihood of achieving them.”

This organization is dedicated to understanding the challenges of all students, including out-of-school youth, aiming to increase the success rate of dropouts through case management, life skills, leadership development, and workforce development to develop personalized roadmaps to achieving success.

To complement their curriculum, which addresses each student’s needs, the organization teaches essential life skills and encourages a “lifestyle change based on personal responsibility.” Activities in the program include outreach efforts such as this past February’s “Love Is A Warm Blanket” initiative, offering hygiene kits, clothing and tents to the homeless community.

All youth enrolled in the program will participate in a restorative justice program. The restorative justice program will focus on diverting youth from the juvenile justice system, reducing recidivism, as well as focusing on the needs of victims and the community where the crime occurs. The restorative justice program will engage youth in visible and valuable service-learning projects designed to restore the community, such as improving urban parks and neighborhoods. The restorative justice model, a service-learning project, connects youth back to the community in a positive way and gives them a sense of engagement in their community. The service-learning component helps develop leadership skills by linking career exploration and improving community engagement. The program is designed to promote a collaborative approach so youth can be leaders and provide civic engagement for positive change in their community.

Candidates for the program are youth who have a disability, are justice impacted, homeless, foster youth, pregnant or parenting, low-income individuals, dropouts, as well as those who have graduated from high school but are basic-skills deficient or are English-language learners, requiring additional assistance to enter or complete an educational program to enter higher education and/or the workforce.

The ultimate goal is for our youth to gain employment in high growth, high demand career fields. The program aims to serve those who are facing the greatest barriers and future economic challenges to connect them to educational and employment opportunities.

Services/resources included in the Youth Opportunity Center are: high school diploma program, tutoring, alternative secondary school/dropout recovery services, mentoring, life skills, career pathways workshops, counseling, homeless services, community service opportunities, food program, clothing closet, human trafficking support, domestic violence support, and internships.

Robynee Willis had this to say about the program: “Before I started participating in this program, I didn’t have any goals or any motivation, but after attending, I’m setting goals, having self-motivation and even found self-love.”

Aryana De La Torre had this to say: “Operation New Hope has exceeded every expectation I could have ever had. They have provided me the stable environment, patience and compassion that I had been seeking since I was a child. The curriculum and the staff have provided me the tools and resources that I needed in order to become the best version of myself, because they believed in me even when I did not believe in myself.”

Thanks, Operation New Hope, for giving our youth an opportunity to recognize their skills and capabilities.  You are certainly a part of the village.

Margaret Hill is a member of the San Bernardino City Unified School District board.

 

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May 17 2021
Life & Work With Operation New Hope’s CEO, Russell Degnan

To view original article by Voyage LA:

http://voyagela.com/interview/life-work-russell-degnan-san-bernardino/

Today we’d like to introduce you to Russell Degnan.

Russell Degnan is a passionate change maker who has followed in the footsteps of his father (Bill Degnan) who founded Operation New Hope (ONH) 1981. In 1996, he would begin his career journey as a group counselor assigned to ONH’s contract with Riverside County’s Probation Department and Los Angeles County Juvenile Parole. In 2001 Russell earned his California Drugs and Alcohol Certificate at San Bernardino Valley College. Throughout the turn of the 2000’s Russell gained a wealth of experience and knowledge managing contracts and grants working alongside the Executive Director at the San Gabriel Conservation Corps, sitting on Watts Gangs and Drugs Taskforce Board, Riversides Parks and Recreation Youth Steering Committee, and as appointee on San Bernardino/Riverside Counties Catholic Dioceses Youth Advisory Board. Russell stepped into ONH’s Executive Director role in 2009; his goal was to develop and implement a Youth Opportunity Center to provide meaningful life skill resources for disadvantaged youth. Increase the success rate of those classified as “dropouts” throughout San Bernardino County by providing ONH’s Evidence Based Practice of case management, educational opportunities, life skills, and career pathway programs. With these supportive services, he was confident that ONH could provide the necessary resources to assist San Bernardino County in achieving success with the youth he dedicated his career, those often referred to as “at-risk”. Foster Youth, Teen Parents, Homeless,Mental Health, and those experiencing the Judicial System.

In 2010, Russell would successfully develop a relationship and critical funding from the San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). The funding kicked started the development of ONH’s Youth Opportunity Center’s. One of the first steps in the implementation process ONH would enter into a meaningful partnership with Learn4Life Charter Concepts and John Muir Charter Schools. The partnership with the Schools provides ONH students with a high school education that is tailored to the student’s needs, and most importantly providing aged out youth the opportunity to complete their high school diploma (ages 18 – 24). ONH provides students with small class sizes and a family-like atmosphere that teaches the importance of life,joband leadership skills. Russell explained, “It is crucial for students to receive their high school diploma. Having their diploma allows them to gain employment or enroll in a secondary institution. We provide our students with soft skill sets that make them attractive to potential employers, they receive training on job readiness, financial literacy, leadership, anger management, substance abuse, and everything in between.” To help make their students even more competitive in the job market, Russell would lead his team in developing worksite partnership with employers, so ONH students can have the opportunity to complete a three-month internship with an array of workforce sector. “Each element of ourprogramis critical to building healthy young men and women,” Degnan said.

At the beginning of the year (2016), ONH saw an additional growth. Russell Degnan moved from executive director to chief operating officer, which gave him the freedom and ability to attend workshops and promote Operation New Hope in the community. “Operation New Hope seeks to be the premier youth opportunity center in the Inland Empire,” Russell Degnan explained. “The high school dropout rate is a huge epidemic across the nation. Our goal is to be a positive solution for our youth, our communities and the taxpayers.” In the next ten years, Team ONH envisions youth opportunity centers in other communities, particularly in communities with the at-risk youth. In addition to their youth opportunity centers, Operation New Hope’s evidence-based trauma-informed life skills curriculum are currently being used in Soledad and Salinas Valley State Prison (California Department of Correction and Rehabilitation), juvenile facilities throughout the Country, group homes, transitional living homes and church outreach programs. Russell credits the success of his father’s program to ONH’s values. “Our success is built on our belief that lives must be built on healthy relationships,” Russell explains.

Although ONH continues to expand to meet the growing demand, the program’s growth is limited due to financial constraints. The programs ONH offers are part of reimburse contracts, which can create cash flow problems. Operation New Hope’s Board of Directors has made it their personal mission to build a solid cash reserve to alleviate the burden of waiting on reimbursements from a number of government agencies. Operation New Hope currently employs ten and serves over 150 students daily. Since 2010, 436 students have successfully graduated with their High School Diploma and 4867 students have successfully completed their Career Pathway Program which 93% are employed and or enrolled in to post-secondary education. Currently, ONH’s high school has 65 students enrolled and the Workforce Program has 110 students. All students range in age from 16 to 25. Ultimately Russell’s passion is to provide underserved youth who have been expected to be the failures in society a place where they experience genuine love, hope, and opportunities to succeed in life. Weekly you will find him in the community encouraging youth, actively engaging community leaders, and or developing community partnerships to help empower his beloved students he has devoted his entire life to serve. Russell is one of the most loyal and sincere voices for our under-served youth.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The process has been quite a journey, consistently learning and growing through each step of the way. I often share ONH was developed out of the love of helping and providing those in need with opportunities to succeed in life. My education was in the Human Service schools, not in the Business schools. Growing a business to expand our outreach has been challenging. I have been extremely fortunate to have an amazing support system with our County, City, and School District partnerships. They have provided and sent me to non-profit management workshops to increase my knowledge in business management, grant writing, fundraising, board development, and an array of other crucial business classes. The constant challenge is securing funding to ensure our youth are provided with the necessary resources they need to succeed. I am encouraged with my professional growth within fund-developing these past five years; I am excited to continue to put in practice what I have learned from these business classes our government partnerships have provided. I do not view the process as a struggle but opportunities to learn, grow, and become a better leader.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Working with Operation New Hope since 1996, I have developed my work experience at every level. Wearing every hat in the human service and community-based organization sector from volunteer, receptionist, janitor, mentor, tutor, group counselor, case manager, program manager, and today CEO. 2009 ONH’s budget had three contracts valuing $80,000 per year, life skills workshops was our sole resource. At this time ONH had two employees. Today ONH budgets exceed $500,000. We are a key-stake holder in the communities we serve, providing an evidence-based trauma-informed youth opportunity center. I have gained extensive knowledge how to build strong collaborative teams across State/County/City Departments. It humbles when I have my peers and county leadership refer to me as one of the leaders in truly collaborating.

During my professional development, I have focused on the value of strategic planning to identify and attain program goals. I believe strategic planning is instrumental to ensure that our doors do not close and leave a void for the families and youth who depend on our resources. Program management; I excel in leveraging existing programs and grants to procure new grant funding. Success in overseeing contracts with local government has provided me with the essential experience and understanding into proposal writing, contract compliance, and monitoring of grant-funded programs. Public affairs strategies I have exceled in building and maintaining collaborations with community-based organization, fostering imperative relationships with elected officials and their staff at all levels of government. My peers have often referred to me as a “people person” and “consensus builder” who can work with people effectively on all levels.

What does success mean to you?
Success is the ability to have what I refer to as the 3 H’s working together. Our Head, Hands, and Heart; everyone has the thoughts to be successful.  The question is, will you have the passion and desire to put in the daily work when the Head says, “I can’t”, and not everyone has the Heart to bounce back and look in the mirror when failure hits the Head and the Hands.

Those who have the desire to learn from mistakes, tough times, and bounce back have the secret ingredient that I like to call Grit. Those who possess Grit find a way to keep the 3 H’s in sync to keep moving forward to achieve what their Head and Heart desire – SUCCESS.

Pricing:

  • All our services and resources are free to our youth and families

Contact Info:

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Mar 26 2021
Community Job & Resource Fair
Attention Job Seekers! Attention Employers looking for Workforce!
Team ONH is hosting our 1st Hopeful Resource Fair – Resources included
1.) Job Fair
2.) Community Resources
3.) Free groceries for those in need
4.) Clothing Closet available for those who need Interview and or work attire
Confirmed Employers Hiring:
US Rubber
Harbor Freight
Prime Flight
Alliance Security
SWIFT Transportation
California Conservation Corps
Fed Ex
and more….
Community Resources:
Family Assistance Program
Career Institute
Inland Harvest
Village of Hope
Alta Vista High School
Catholic Charities
and more…
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Mar 1 2021
Everything You Need to Know About ECOpreneurship

Everything You Need to Know About ECOpreneurship

By: Joyce Wilson; joyce@teacherspark.org

Today, many people want to live more sustainable lifestyles, and eco-friendly businesses can step up to fill this niche. If you have a fantastic business idea in mind, and you know that sustainability is one of your top priorities, you might have a promising future as an “ecopreneur”! Whether you’re curious about linking up with youth support programs like Operation New Hope, networking in your community, or securing a grant for your business, these resources will help you pursue ecopreneurship.

Laying the Groundwork

 To build up your business, you need to establish a solid foundation first by taking care of these tasks.

  • Make sure to sketch out all of the details of your vision in a comprehensive business plan.
  • Research small business grants and apply to any that are specifically intended for eco-friendly companies.
  • Forming an LLC will allow you to save money during tax season and establish limited liability for your business.

Sustainable Choices

How can you make sure that your company is truly eco-friendly? These tips will help you proceed in a way that aligns with your mission.

  • Naturally, you’ll be concerned about creating waste and trash, so seek out eco-friendly packaging solutions.
  • Get creative and figure out a way to compost food waste produced at your store.
  • You can save money and save the planet by keeping your business’s utility bills low – this guide will show you how!
  • Through digital marketing, you can save paper and connect with customers who want to shop with a clean conscience.

Community Connections

What’s the best way to make a difference as an ecopreneur? By working with others in your community!

  • Want to find like-minded entrepreneurs? Make it a point to focus on networking with others in your industry.
  • You can educate people and bring them together by hosting events centered around environmentalism and education.
  • Find a way to get involved with youth programs to help inspire the next generation towards environmental activism!

When you run a small business, you can manage your company in a way that honors your principles. That’s what ecopreneurship is all about! And as you grow your business, you’ll see just how much power you have to make a positive impact.

Are you interested in helping young people in your area? Operation New Hope is creating empowering programs for teenagers and young adults! Call us today at 951-500-2910 to learn more.

Photo via Pexels

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Feb 9 2021
Life & Work with Russell Degnan, CEO

http://voyagela.com/interview/life-work-russell-degnan-san-bernardino/

To view the original article from VoyageLA

 Today we’d like to introduce you to Russell Degnan.

Russell Degnan is a passionate change maker who has followed in the footsteps of his father (Bill Degnan) who founded Operation New Hope (ONH) 1981. In 1996, he would begin his career journey as a group counselor assigned to ONH’s contract with Riverside County’s Probation Department and Los Angeles County Juvenile Parole. In 2001 Russell earned his California Drugs and Alcohol Certificate at San Bernardino Valley College. Throughout the turn of the 2000’s Russell gained a wealth of experience and knowledge managing contracts and grants working alongside the Executive Director at the San Gabriel Conservation Corps, sitting on Watts Gangs and Drugs Taskforce Board, Riversides Parks and Recreation Youth Steering Committee, and as appointee on San Bernardino/Riverside Counties Catholic Dioceses Youth Advisory Board. Russell stepped into ONH’s Executive Director role in 2009; his goal was to develop and implement a Youth Opportunity Center to provide meaningful life skill resources for disadvantaged youth. Increase the success rate of those classified as “dropouts” throughout San Bernardino County by providing ONH’s Evidence Based Practice of case management, educational opportunities, life skills, and career pathway programs. With these supportive services, he was confident that ONH could provide the necessary resources to assist San Bernardino County in achieving success with the youth he dedicated his career, those often referred to as “at-risk”. Foster Youth, Teen Parents, Homeless, Mental Health, and those experiencing the Judicial System.

In 2010, Russell would successfully develop a relationship and critical funding from the San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). The funding kicked started the development of ONH’s Youth Opportunity Center’s. One of the first steps in the implementation process ONH would enter into a meaningful partnership with Learn4Life Charter Concepts and John Muir Charter Schools. The partnership with the Schools provides ONH students with a high school education that is tailored to the student’s needs, and most importantly providing aged out youth the opportunity to complete their high school diploma (ages 18 – 24). ONH provides students with small class sizes and a family-like atmosphere that teaches the importance of life, job and leadership skills. Russell explained, “It is crucial for students to receive their high school diploma. Having their diploma allows them to gain employment or enroll in a secondary institution. We provide our students with soft skill sets that make them attractive to potential employers, they receive training on job readiness, financial literacy, leadership, anger management, substance abuse, and everything in between.” To help make their students even more competitive in the job market, Russell would lead his team in developing worksite partnership with employers, so ONH students can have the opportunity to complete a three-month internship with an array of workforce sector. “Each element of ourprogram is critical to building healthy young men and women,” Degnan said.

At the beginning of the year (2016), ONH saw an additional growth. Russell Degnan moved from executive director to chief operating officer, which gave him the freedom and ability to attend workshops and promote Operation New Hope in the community. “Operation New Hope seeks to be the premier youth opportunity center in the Inland Empire,” Russell Degnan explained. “The high school dropout rate is a huge epidemic across the nation. Our goal is to be a positive solution for our youth, our communities and the taxpayers.” In the next ten years, Team ONH envisions youth opportunity centers in other communities, particularly in communities with the at-risk youth. In addition to their youth opportunity centers, Operation New Hope’s evidence-based trauma-informed life skills curriculum are currently being used in Soledad and Salinas Valley State Prison (California Department of Correction and Rehabilitation), juvenile facilities throughout the Country, group homes, transitional living homes and church outreach programs. Russell credits the success of his father’s program to ONH’s values. “Our success is built on our belief that lives must be built on healthy relationships,” Russell explains.

Although ONH continues to expand to meet the growing demand, the program’s growth is limited due to financial constraints. The programs ONH offers are part of reimburse contracts, which can create cash flow problems. Operation New Hope’s Board of Directors has made it their personal mission to build a solid cash reserve to alleviate the burden of waiting on reimbursements from a number of government agencies. Operation New Hope currently employs ten and serves over 150 students daily. Since 2010, 436 students have successfully graduated with their High School Diploma and 4867 students have successfully completed their Career Pathway Program which 93% are employed and or enrolled in to post-secondary education. Currently, ONH’s high school has 65 students enrolled and the Workforce Program has 110 students. All students range in age from 16 to 25. Ultimately Russell’s passion is to provide underserved youth who have been expected to be the failures in society a place where they experience genuine love, hope, and opportunities to succeed in life. Weekly you will find him in the community encouraging youth, actively engaging community leaders, and or developing community partnerships to help empower his beloved students he has devoted his entire life to serve. Russell is one of the most loyal and sincere voices for our under-served youth.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The process has been quite a journey, consistently learning and growing through each step of the way. I often share ONH was developed out of the love of helping and providing those in need with opportunities to succeed in life. My education was in the Human Service schools, not in the Business schools. Growing a business to expand our outreach has been challenging. I have been extremely fortunate to have an amazing support system with our County, City, and School District partnerships. They have provided and sent me to non-profit management workshops to increase my knowledge in business management, grant writing, fundraising, board development, and an array of other crucial business classes. The constant challenge is securing funding to ensure our youth are provided with the necessary resources they need to succeed. I am encouraged with my professional growth within fund-developing these past five years; I am excited to continue to put in practice what I have learned from these business classes our government partnerships have provided. I do not view the process as a struggle but opportunities to learn, grow, and become a better leader.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Working with Operation New Hope since 1996, I have developed my work experience at every level. Wearing every hat in the human service and community-based organization sector from volunteer, receptionist, janitor, mentor, tutor, group counselor, case manager, program manager, and today CEO. 2009 ONH’s budget had three contracts valuing $80,000 per year, life skills workshops was our sole resource. At this time ONH had two employees. Today ONH budgets exceed $500,000. We are a key-stake holder in the communities we serve, providing an evidence-based trauma-informed youth opportunity center. I have gained extensive knowledge how to build strong collaborative teams across State/County/City Departments. It humbles when I have my peers and county leadership refer to me as one of the leaders in truly collaborating.

During my professional development, I have focused on the value of strategic planning to identify and attain program goals. I believe strategic planning is instrumental to ensure that our doors do not close and leave a void for the families and youth who depend on our resources. Program management; I excel in leveraging existing programs and grants to procure new grant funding. Success in overseeing contracts with local government has provided me with the essential experience and understanding into proposal writing, contract compliance, and monitoring of grant-funded programs. Public affairs strategies I have exceled in building and maintaining collaborations with community-based organization, fostering imperative relationships with elected officials and their staff at all levels of government. My peers have often referred to me as a “people person” and “consensus builder” who can work with people effectively on all levels.

What does success mean to you?
Success is the ability to have what I refer to as the 3 H’s working together. Our Head, Hands, and Heart; everyone has the thoughts to be successful.  The question is, will you have the passion and desire to put in the daily work when the Head says, “I can’t”, and not everyone has the Heart to bounce back and look in the mirror when failure hits the Head and the Hands.

Those who have the desire to learn from mistakes, tough times, and bounce back have the secret ingredient that I like to call Grit. Those who possess Grit find a way to keep the 3 H’s in sync to keep moving forward to achieve what their Head and Heart desire – SUCCESS.

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