Great things are happening in Jacksonville and key people are taking notice.
This month, I was proud welcome the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Dr. Ben Carson, to Jacksonville. Sec. Carson was in town to learn more about Operation New Hope (ONH) and its efforts to provide support, life and job skills training to help ex-offenders reintegrate into society. Watch highlights from Sec. Carson’s visit in this edition of One City One Jax Two Minutes During a roundtable discussion, Dr. Carson met with clients entering and participating in the Ready4Work program, the Jacksonville Port Academy and other programs designed to teach in-demand skills and reduce recidivism. Impressed with ONH CEO Kevin Gay and the amazing results they are achieving, Dr. Carson shared that he wants to see similar programs like this in our community replicated across the country. He promised to share what he learned with the rest of the administration back in Washington D.C.