Working with Deloitte and Touche

Our team working with Deloitte and Touche helping people to build a resume review the budgets for improving their overall way of financial life.

H.O.P.E.

Casting Our Net • Offering Hope • Restoring Lives

OUR MISSION

H.O.P.E is a faith-based, 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization. We support the formerly incarcerated, those either on probation or parole, in re-establishing themselves as well-adjusted and productive members of the community. We seek to mitigate issues of unemployment, homelessness, lack of education, and health coverage so that our clients can successfully adjust to life outside of incarceration. H.O.P.E treats each client with the utmost respect regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, or crime committed. Our goal is to change one life at a time and defeat the cycle of recidivism.

Our services extend throughout New Jersey and the Greater New York City area with our professional partners and Board of Advisors. H.O.P.E seeks to empower the formerly incarcerated with the following services:

Housing

Housing referral/Temporary Shelter
Food in partnership with a food bank at Mt. Olive Baptist Church (Hackensack, NJ)

Opportunity

Clothing through the H.O.P.E. clothing bank
Transportation

Prevention

Drug/Mental Treatment/Medical Referrals
Life Skills training
Mentorship

Employment/Education

Employment Search / Resume writing
Educational / Vocational Training
Entrepreneurship Training

We also work with our clients’ families, offering guidance so that they can support the success of their loved ones returning from incarceration.

At H.O.P.E. we believe in being the hands and feet of Christ by providing the resources for restoration. We are both a safety net and a launch pad for this vulnerable population.

H.O.P.E. has been in existence since 1974 under various leadership. We are currently rebuilding our staff and advisory board, and rebranding to reflect advancements in justice reform.

WHERE THE MONEY GOES

Housing 92% 92%
Opportunity 64% 64%
Prevention 72% 72%
Emplyment/Education 87% 87%

At H.O.P.E., we understand that the journey to restoration is not just about individual success but about building a supportive community. Our initiatives extend beyond immediate assistance, focusing on sustainable change that empowers individuals and families alike. We are committed to fostering connections that inspire growth and resilience, ensuring that every person we serve feels valued and supported.

Our holistic approach encompasses not only practical resources but also emotional and spiritual guidance, nurturing the whole person as they navigate their path to reintegration. Join us in this mission to transform lives and uplift our community, one step at a time.

OUR PROJECTS

Serving with Hope: Weekly Food Pantry Outreach

At HOPE For Ex-Offenders Inc., we are honored to serve over 100 clients and their families each week through our food pantry program. This vital outreach is made possible through the generous collaboration of our partners, including Table to Table, Center for Food Action, and many others who share in our mission to uplift and support our community.

We are especially thankful for our partnership with Mount Olive Baptist Church, which graciously serves as our distribution site in Bergen County. Their ongoing support has been a cornerstone of our ability to provide consistent service to those in need.

Behind the scenes and at the front lines are our incredible volunteers, Bro Selo, Sister Janie and Sister Margo, whose dedication and hard work make this outreach possible every single week. We are truly grateful for their commitment, compassion, and tireless efforts.

Together, we are not just meeting needs—we are building hope.

OUR TEAM

Rev Carl T. Phipps has surrounded himself and is held accountable to both H.O.P.E.’s executive board and its advisors “these men pictured here serve on H.O.P.E.’s board in their varies professional capacities, giving the organization a balanced approached to its delivery of services. From the spiritual, clinical, chemical dependency and just life experiences help guide this organization in assisting its clients for the best solution possible in regaining their place back into the community and with their family.

H.O.P.E.’s purpose is to help change the mindset of its clients and give them the tools needed to be successful in life. What’s vital is our clients success is answering a key question for each Habilitation or Rehabilitation once this is address we can holistically help both our client and their family.

Reverend Carl T. Phipps, Sr. – President of H.O.P.E.

Reverend Phipps began his journey on Rikers Island in 1998 as one of the pioneers of the city’s reentry program. Not knowing he would continue in this service to the men and women behind the walls, Reverend Phipps was asked to begin a reentry program geared towards the young people of Bergen County under the leadership of Dr Lucian Dequette director of Family Guidance.

Under his leadership they were able to reduce the recidivism rate from 68% down to 14% closing the door of our youth returning back to Jamesburg, a youth detention program. Working for the County of Bergen for 12 years, Reverend Phipps went all in with HOPE where he and his team work individually with both the clients and their families restoring lives and independence.

Lucien L Duquette, PhD – Director of Clinical Services

Dr. Duquette received his doctorate from New York University in 1987 and has been licensed as a Psychologist in the State of New Jersey since 1989. Between 1967 and 2011, he worked for the County of Bergen as a Psychologist, Clinical Supervisor, Program Administrator, Clinical Director and finally as a Director of the Division of Family Guidance. Dr. Duquette has been an Adjunct Associate Professor at Seton Hall University since 1979 and in private practice since 1989.

In addition to a number of consulting positions, he is currently the Clinical Supervisor for New Pathways Counseling in Paramus and Pine Brook and is a consulting School Psychologist at the French American Academy in New Milford.

Bishop Roderick R. Caesar – Overseer of Spiritual Wellness

Dr. Roderick R. Caesar is the Senior Pastor of Bethel Gospel Tabernacle (BGT). For 10 years he served as Pastor of Calvary Full Gospel Church in Woodside, Queens, a branch church of BGT.

Bishop Caesar not only shepherds congregations of several thousand members, he is the overseer of three branch churches, including a thriving church in Haiti. With vision and keen intelligence, he is building a church and molding a future for Bethel.

With Bishop Caesar’s “eagle eye” intelligence and proven acumen, Bethel Gospel Tabernacle will always be committed to the great task of establishing the purpose of the church in the community and winning souls to Christ for the Kingdom of God.

Sherisse Ferrill – Office Manager

As our office manager is responsible for keeping an office running smoothly and overseeing administrative support. Sherisse is very vital resources we share with our clients and their families.

Sister Janie

Brother Selo

Sister Margo

Cecil Grant

TESTIMONIAL

I spent 30 years in the New Jersey State Prison. When I was released, I was giving the run around by many agencies. I saw a flyer that had H.O.P.E.’s information on it and I heard a voice tell me to go there. I said what the heck, I’ll give it a chance not thinking anything would come out of the visit. The Rev. was in the office and the first thing he said to me after I told him where I just came from was “welcome back home”, now he didn’t even know me but he embraced me with those words. I was mugged one evening and in the hospital room. I had 90 stitches over my face and head from the attack. The next morning the Rev was in the room looking over me praying and having the whole team assist with my rehabilitation. My supervisor who work along side of Rev Phipps, Rev Phil Riddick opened his own home during my first days out of the hospital so I could get the attention needed. This just blew me away completely.

This program not only is for real but they helped me start my own business, secure a place to live by myself and regain my sense of worth and purpose in the community. I know I said; I’ll keep it short, but there was so much H.O.P.E. has afforded me these past two years that I’m totally grateful for the trust shown me from both Rev. Phipps and Rev Phil. Their actions have spoken volumes as I’m thankful for H.O.P.E. For Ex-Offenders.

– Santos

OUR PARTNERS & SPONSORS

Over the past 51 years, H.O.P.E. has bridged relationships with various faith-based organizations, social service agencies, and community businesses. As we rebuild and take on new leadership, we are shifting to a higher level of accountability and integrity in our community partnerships. Previous and current partners include:

Bergen County Drug Court
Bergen & Passaic Juvenile Justice Commission
Bergen & Passaic One Stop
Bergen, Passaic, & Essex County Jails
Pro Bono Legal Services
First AME Zion Church
First Baptist Church Teaneck, NJ
Bethel Gospel Tabernacle, Queens, NY
Calvary Temple, Wayne & Hackensack, NJ

Christian International Church, Lincoln Park, NJ
Trinity Baptist Church, Hackensack, NJ
Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Hackensack, NJ
Deloitte Financial Services
New Destiny Family Services, Paterson, NJ
Passaic County Human Resources
Bergen & Passaic County Youth Services Commission
Market Street Mission, Morristown, NJ

Lakeland Bank
Friendship Baptist Church of Garfield, NJ
Our Savior Lutheran Church, Fair Lawn, NJ
Montclair State University Business School
HoHokus School of Trade & Technical Sciences, Paterson, NJ
Impact Paterson
Elementary Group
Fairway Supermarket, Paramus, NJ

And many other agencies and treatment providers…

BECOME A SPONSOR

VOLUNTEER

After 51 years serving the community HOPE is in a critical rebuild period. We are in need of volunteers to help us continue our service to the formerly incarcerated, their families and the community at-large. Our part-time volunteer roles are designed to be flexible to the volunteer’s availability.