Helping To Keep Life Flowing: Hopeworks And American Water Forge Powerful Partnership For Social Impact

By LeAundra McCullough, Riscee Langhorne, Zamir Williams, and Tianna Coleman

A unique collaboration proves there is a pipeline of eager and talented water workforce candidates, if the industry seizes the opportunity to tap it.

Since 2015, Hopeworks and New Jersey American Water have partnered on a groundbreaking collaboration aimed at empowering young adults through a unique workforce program. Through this program, individuals from Hopeworks were directly engaged, trained, and employed on geographic information system (GIS) projects. The expertise and resources from New Jersey American Water combined with the passion and dedication of Hopeworks have resulted in a holistic approach to empower young adults and address the workforce needs in the water utility industry. By providing young adults with opportunities for growth and development, Hopeworks equips the students with the necessary skills to enter the workforce and also foster a sense of empowerment and self-belief. This powerful partnership creates a ripple effect, as these individuals go on to make meaningful contributions to their communities and pave the way for a brighter future for themselves and future generations.

Lead And Copper Rule Requirements Project

Hopeworks scanned and cataloged over one million service cards for several American Water subsidiaries located across the U.S. They entered the data into the MapCall database and provided quality assurance (QA) services. This collaboration allowed American Water to fulfill its long-term control plan (LTCP) requirements and support water infrastructure improvements, helping ensure the delivery of high-quality water services.

The successful partnership started with New Jersey American Water, where Hopeworks delivered exceptional results. Impressed by their work, New Jersey American Water referred Hopeworks to Tennessee American Water, which benefited from the identical project. Subsequently, American Water referred Hopeworks to its subsidiaries in Virginia, Maryland, and Indiana.

The project had significant environmental implications, as it facilitated the identification and removal of copper and lead pipes, in compliance with federal and local regulatory requirements. Additionally, the collaboration allowed water utility companies to inventory their water infrastructure accurately. More than 150 interns have contributed to this project over the years, showcasing that this project has long-lasting impact and has been instrumental in Hopeworks’ growth by allowing it to expand and support additional young adults.

This project also contributed to the growth of Hopeworks’ GIS social enterprise and team, while providing valuable resources to the American Water’s subsidiaries. Additionally, it accelerated the professional growth of the individuals involved, allowing them to develop leadership skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of water infrastructure. Ultimately, the project resulted in and remains a win-win situation: improved water infrastructure for the communities served and invaluable resources for Hopeworks through its partnership with American Water.

Asset Mapping

Hopeworks partnered with New Jersey American Water and American Water Operations and Maintenance to conduct field mapping of water distribution systems and sewer assets using high-precision GPS technology. This provided valuable handson experience for the young professionals at Hopeworks, while assisting American Water in accelerating its asset-mapping process. The project took place in Camden, where the young adults reside, generating interest among community members who were eager to experience involvement in improving water infrastructure where they live.

At the start of the project, the interns were provided with area maps that needed to be surveyed, and upon completion, they were assigned new areas. They received training on how to use the GPS system, navigate the database where American Water stores information, and follow strict safety protocols. The maps the interns worked with had estimated points identifying the location of sewer lines and other assets, and their task was to verify and update these points. The project achieved significant success within the initial three-month contract period, as the interns accomplished a remarkable amount of work in a short time, leading to an extension of the contract.

Throughout the project, the interns experienced personal and professional growth. Their confidence and professional skills developed and improved, enabling them to communicate effectively with American Water employees. As the project progressed, the interns took on leadership roles and even contributed to training subsequent groups of interns, providing guidance and advice on the work process. By entrusting the field assessment work to Hopeworks, American Water eliminated the need for its own employees to visit the sites and verify the information. The partnership fostered a strong sense of trust, with American Water recognizing and appreciating the professionalism and dedication of the young adults at Hopeworks.

Overall, this collaboration proved beneficial for both parties. American Water was able to focus on other areas of its operations while relying on Hopeworks’ increasing level of expertise, and the interns at Hopeworks gained valuable skills and knowledge while contributing to the improvement of their community’s water infrastructure.

Water UP! Program

Water UP! — Water Utility Pipeline — is a comprehensive paid training program specifically designed for young adults to provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge to enter the water utility industry upon completing the program. This innovative initiative is a collaborative effort between Hopeworks, Jingoli Construction, and APEX Solutions Group.

Water UP! offers a diverse range of training, encompassing water utility operations and essential business skills. Through engaging STEM lessons, customer service training, and OSHA 30 certification, participants gain valuable exposure to various aspects of the water and wastewater industry, allowing them to identify their interests and strengths while paving a solid career path in the water utility sector.

The pilot class of Water UP! consisted of young individuals from Hopeworks who participated in the 11-week program and received hands-on field training facilitated by New Jersey American Water, alongside classroom-based lessons administered by Jingoli and APEX Solutions Group. By the end of the program, graduates of Water UP! possessed unique qualifications and certifications, making them eligible for various roles within the utility industry.

With a significant portion of the workforce aging out, there is a growing requirement to identify and develop emerging talent. By providing young adults from the local community with specialized training, Water UP! helps fill this talent gap, particularly in the field of water mechanics. This program not only strengthens the workforce in the water and wastewater utility industry but also demonstrates the commitment to developing future talent and meeting the evolving needs of American Water.

Conclusion

The partnership between New Jersey American Water and Hopeworks is a testament to the power of collaboration and shared goals. This partnership serves as a shining example of how collaboration between private entities and nonprofit organizations can lead to positive change and open doors of opportunity for young adults. It also demonstrates that when organizations come together with a shared purpose, they have the ability to create a powerful force for change and uplift communities in meaningful ways.

About The Authors

LeAundra “Lily” McCullough is currently a Hopeworks GIS team lead. During her two years in this position, McCullough has worked to ensure the completion and accuracy of projects from prestigious partners, such as American Water amongst others.

Zamir Williams, a GIS team leader at Hopeworks, guides a team to use maps and data to help the environment and the community. Williams started out supporting individuals with disabilities doing direct care support and eventually worked with AmeriCorps through PowercorpsPHL to lead environmental projects and support their team.

Riscee Langhorne is the director of career partnerships at Hopeworks Camden. In this role, she has successfully created several employment pathways with corporate partners to place young professionals in full-time, living wage positions. Langhorne holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Tianna Coleman, GIS team lead, is a Camden County College graduate (2021) turned full-time employee at Hopeworks. Coleman’s professional career has evolved through various positions, including a summer program teacher at the neighborhood center and Hopeworks part-time GIS intern. In 2018, she was awarded the Townsend Scholarship as she pursued a degree in human services.