has lived and worked in Camden, NJ for the last twelve years. He is the founder and Executive Director of Hopeworks ‘N Camden, a youth technology portal using the technologies of website-design/development and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to work with youth ages 14-23 in Camden New Jersey. Hopeworks is a direct response to the current youth crisis that exists in for many youth today. In Camden, where Hopeworks office is located, over 50% of the population is under 18, only 25% of adults have a high school diploma and the per capita income is $5700. There is an estimated 70% dropout rate from the public high schools in the city of Camden while 53% of all youth live below the poverty line. These factors combine to make life challenging for young people. Hopeworks is a direct response to this situation. During the past 10 years, Hopeworks has worked with over 1500 youth, providing 250 youth jobs, 1500 college credits and helped over 100 youth begin college. Father Jeff has been recognized for his youth development work in the following ways:

Father Jeff Putthoff, SJ has been a Jesuit priest for 13 years and has been a Jesuit for 25 years. He holds a bachelor’s in philosophy from Saint Louis University, a Masters in English from Loyola Chicago, a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Theology from Weston School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is currently studying at the University of Pennsylvania for a degree in Organizational Dynamics and is enrolled in the AKRI training program.