Announcing our next site Launch coming in 2025:
After more than a year of exploration with government and community leaders, STRIVE is excited to bring its proven five-pillar model for workforce development to North Jersey, providing meaningful employment opportunities to the community.
Donnell Hill, STRIVE North Jersey Founding Executive Director
Donnell Hill Named Founding Executive Director of STRIVE North Jersey
A seasoned expert in workforce development, Donnell returns to STRIVE after leading workforce reentry programming at the Urban League of Essex County and building national and local initiatives that improved employment outcomes and scaled evidence-based training models across multiple cities. From 2014-2019 at STRIVE, Donnell served as Career Skills Instructor in New York City, and then as the organization’s National Training Manager, where he supported affiliate programming across the country.
“I am truly honored to be leading STRIVE’s expansion to North Jersey. We are grateful to the many local leaders and organizations who have provided invaluable guidance and support for STRIVE, as we bring our proven pathway to life-changing careers and self-empowerment to a community that is close to my heart. Our unique approach to job skills training and holistic support will be critical for those who face societal barriers and seek upward mobility and economic prosperity.”
Donnell Hill in class with students at STRIVE New York.
Donnell Hill and Phil Weinberg with STRIVE New York graduates.
Career Path
STRIVE North Jersey will launch late 2025, starting with a pilot class of our signature Career Path program that offers onramps to great careers with opportunity for advancement in Nonclinical Healthcare. Over time, additional career pathways in Logistics and Construction will be offered to provide greater choice and opportunity for people ready for a new start, including those impacted by the justice system.
STRIVE North Jersey is our fifth site, with headquarters in New York, and sites in Birmingham, Atlanta and New Orleans. Through these major hubs, as well as nationwide affiliate partners, STRIVE now has a presence in 15 locations. Since launching in Harlem in 1984, STRIVE has served more than 85,000 people with career readiness and job training programs and lifelong support.
STRIVE North Jersey will serve Essex, Union and Hudson counties, specifically Newark and Jersey City. Leading national funders including Blue Meridian Partners and Ballmer group are investing in STRIVE’s growth to meet the national goal of serving 10,000 students annually by 2033.
After STRIVE Alumni Brooke completed Career Path in New York, she continued her education and today works as a Certified Surgical Technician.
Bringing economic Prosperity to North Jersey
As a leading national workforce solution WE MATCH trained and driven job-seekers with quality employers in growing industries
L to R: STRIVE Co-Board Chair and Alumni Roy Castro; STRIVE Strategy & Growth Project Manager Caela Murphy; STRIVE CPO Monique Baptiste; President & CEO, Newark Regional Business Partnership Ferlanda Fox Nixon; STRIVE CEO Philip Weinberg; STRIVE CDO Jamaul Webster; STRIVE Vice President of Strategy & Growth Jonathan Bonaiuto.
““There could not be a better time for STRIVE to bring its proven workforce training services and expertise to the northern New Jersey community. In today’s challenging environment, it is vital to collaborate with organizations that focus on creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals facing societal barriers to good-paying jobs and sustainable careers. STRIVE’s approach complements the efforts of other workforce development organizations, and together we can make a significant impact in empowering our community.”
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For more than 40 years, STRIVE has provided proven pathways for thousands of people seeking long-term financial empowerment and economic prosperity. We help people discover their best future selves through innovative workforce solutions, joining communities where there is an urgent need and fostering relationships with resource partners and employers to help communities thrive.
Thanks to our early supporters in North Jersey
We are grateful to the many local leaders and organizations who have provided invaluable insight, guidance and support for the launch of STRIVE North Jersey, including:
““As a life-long New Jersey-ite, I am very eager for STRIVE to bring its proven approach to workforce training and development to our neighboring communities. Our area’s growing businesses have a need for job-ready employees, and we know that STRIVE graduates not only bring the right skill sets and work-related proficiencies, but a tireless work ethic to add immediate value for their new employers. We look forward to partnering with STRIVE to lift our New Jersey residents through life-changing career opportunities and upward mobility, while collectively contributing to advancing community-level economic conditions.” ”
Pathway to Possible
STRIVE is a national workforce development solution for people ready and motivated for a new start. We offer tuition-free skills and job-readiness training, one-on-one support and lifetime personal coaching. We create partnerships with employers that result in pathways to life-changing careers for indivudials while helping employers close critical gaps in their workforces.
For more than 40 years, we have provided a proven pathway to possible by helping people realize educational, career, and life pursuits.
Support our growth and impact in North Jersey.