Serving Tampa Bay since 1996

Pathways to stability, opportunity, and long-term success.

We empower youth, adults, veterans, returning citizens, and families across Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, and nearby counties through mentoring, education, workforce development, reentry support, parenting resources, and community-based services.

Find a program Become a mentor (opens in a new tab)
A group of TBAH youth and a youth leader smile together at a bowling alley A program participant holds up his certificate between two TBAH staff members A smiling program participant in hospital work scrubs stands beside a man in a white dress shirt Staff and community members share a meal at an outdoor outreach event A TBAH team member stands with a group of local law enforcement officers outdoors A TBAH staff member in a TBAH polo shirt stands between two uniformed officers at an outdoor community event Five TBAH team members in colorful outfits pose together in a hotel lobby Two women smile together in front of public safety banners at a juvenile justice event TBAH staff stand with a visitor in a conference room set for a meeting Five training attendees with name badges give a thumbs up at a conference Two attendees smile behind large lighted NAWDP letters at the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals conference A TBAH leader smiles beside a guest speaker at an evening event Four people in winter coats pose together in a hallway during a visit to Washington, D.C. Two people smile together in front of a framed photo in an office
Mentoring orientation every other Tuesday at 6 PM
94%of our mentored youth graduate from high school on time
$15M+in federal grants managed from DOL, DOJ, and HHS
80%of reentry participants employed at six months
70%of reentry participants earned an industry credential

Get help

Who we serve

Pick the group that fits you. We'll show you the programs you can join.

Students in a community classroom listening to a classmate while a mentor leans in

Youth and young adults

Mentoring, tutoring, healthy-relationship education, job training, and street outreach for young people facing homelessness.

See youth programs
Two parents and three teenagers from different cultural backgrounds laugh together while playing a board game around a living room coffee table

Parents and caregivers

Parenting classes, advocacy, and support for the whole household.

See family programs
An adult trainee in safety glasses learning from an instructor in a vocational workshop

Returning citizens and veterans

Education, industry credentials, case management, and job placement, before and after release.

See reentry programs

Programs

Find the right program

Filter by who you are and where you live. Every program is free to participants who qualify.

Testing and training

Credentials that open doors

Open to the public. Unlike our grant-funded programs, these services have a fee. Enrolled in a TBAH program such as Renew & Empower? Ask your case manager whether your testing or training is covered.

Testing · Public$45 per test

ACT WorkKeys testing

Career readiness assessments and the National Career Readiness Certificate

Show employers your workplace skills with nationally recognized ACT WorkKeys assessments. Pass Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents at Level 3 or higher to earn the WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC).

ACT WorkKeys tests offered and fees
TestFee
Applied Math NCRC$45
Graphic Literacy NCRC$45
Workplace Documents NCRC$45
Applied Technology$45
Business Writing$45
Workplace Observation$45
NCRC bundle Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents. Save $20.$115
All six tests Save $70.$200

NCRC The three tests required for the National Career Readiness Certificate. Each test is about 55 minutes. Free practice questions are available from ACT (opens in a new tab).

Schedule a test Call (813) 620-4029
Training · PublicFee per course

Workforce training

Industry-recognized certification training

Hands-on training that prepares you for nationally recognized credentials in logistics, manufacturing, construction and the skilled trades, and information technology. Take one course or combine them.

Logistics and manufacturing MSSC certifications

  • CLA: Certified Logistics AssociateFoundations of logistics and supply chain work: safety, equipment, quality, and workplace communication.$550
  • CLT: Certified Logistics TechnicianBuilds on CLA: receiving, stocking, order processing, shipping, inventory control, and dispatch.$650
  • CPT: Certified Production TechnicianManufacturing safety, quality practices and measurement, manufacturing processes, and maintenance awareness.$1,050

Construction and skilled trades

  • NCCER Core: constructionBasic safety, construction math, hand and power tools, construction drawings, and employability skills. Includes job placement.$1,050
  • ElectricianTraining for entry into the electrical trade.$1,500
  • HVAC trackHeating, ventilation, and air conditioning career training.$2,200

Information technology CompTIA

  • CompTIA Tech+ (formerly ITF+)Beginner class covering computer and IT fundamentals.$650
  • CompTIA A+ CompleteThe flagship career track for help desk and IT support jobs.$1,850

Additional trainings are available. Contact us to ask about other courses, schedules, and start dates.

Ask about training Call (813) 620-4029

“Tampa Bay Academy of Hope empowers youth, adults, veterans, returning citizens, and families by providing mentoring, education, workforce development, reentry support, parenting resources, and community-based services that create pathways to stability, opportunity, and long-term success.”

Our mission
A TBAH staff member sits at a desk beside a participant and points to a line on the application he is filling out

Volunteer

Be the steady adult someone needs

Choose the role that fits you. You don't need special experience, just reliability and a willingness to show up.

Apply to be a mentor (opens in a new tab) Apply for other volunteer roles (volunteer application PDF, opens in a new tab)

Mentor applications are completed in MentorCore, our secure mentoring system. You'll choose Tampa or Lakeland.

For tutoring, reentry, administrative, and other roles, open the volunteer application (PDF, 3 pages), fill it out and save it, then email it to info@tampahope.org. For best results, use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader so your answers are kept.

  1. 1
    Tell us about yourself

    Apply to be a mentor in MentorCore, or pick another role and email the volunteer application to info@tampahope.org.

  2. 2
    Attend orientation

    Mentoring orientation is held every other Tuesday at 6 PM.

  3. 3
    Get matched

    After screening, we match you with a mentee or a role near you and support you along the way.

Quick volunteer interest form

Not ready for the full application? Send a quick note about tutoring, reentry, or administrative roles and we'll follow up. You can also open the volunteer application now. Want to mentor a young person? Use the mentor application.

Which role are you applying for? (choose at least one)
Where would you like to volunteer? (choose at least one)

Give

Your gift opens doors

Donations pay for tutoring supplies, field trips that open young people's imaginations, work boots and certification fees for job seekers, and the everyday help that keeps families steady.

Donate online (opens in a new tab) Partner with us

Secure giving through Zeffy. Tampa Bay Academy of Hope, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit, and donations are tax-deductible. Prefer to give by check or in another way? Email info@tampahope.org.

Partner with us

Stronger together

TBAH works alongside schools, agencies, faith communities, housing authorities, and employers across Tampa Bay. Tell us how you would like to work together and our team will follow up.

Three attendees wearing conference badges smile together in front of the 2024 National Conference on Youth Justice screen
TBAH at the 2024 National Conference on Youth Justice
Community partnerships

Community partners

Bring our programs to the people you serve, refer participants, or join us on events, grants, and services.

  • Host PATHS, RISE, PLAN, or mentoring sessions at your site
  • Refer youth, families, veterans, and returning citizens
  • Share space, co-host events, or bring a volunteer group
  • Collaborate on grants, MOUs, and letters of support
  • Give in-kind donations or sponsor a program
Printable form (PDF, opens in a new tab)
Employer partnerships

Employer partners

Hire job-ready talent trained in construction, logistics, manufacturing, IT, and more, with support from our case managers after hire.

  • Hire graduates of YouthBuild TBAH, Renew & Empower, and Second Chance Heroes
  • Offer paid work experience, internships, or apprenticeships
  • Host job site tours, mock interviews, or guest talks
  • Advise on training so credentials match your openings
  • Join our network of fair chance and veteran-friendly employers
Printable form (PDF, opens in a new tab)

About

Thirty years of showing up

Executive Director Titania Lamb, on the right, smiles outdoors with three family members, all dressed in red and formal wear
Executive Director Titania Lamb (right)

Founded in 1996, Tampa Bay Academy of Hope empowers youth, adults, veterans, returning citizens, and families. Our mentoring, education, workforce development, reentry support, parenting resources, and community-based services create pathways to stability, opportunity, and long-term success.

Today our work spans mentoring, tutoring, life skills, education, vocational training, employment, and job placement. We partner with schools, colleges, employers, shelters, and community providers. The Florida Department of Corrections is our partner on every reentry program. Our programs are funded by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Justice, and Health and Human Services.

Founded
1996
Executive Director
Titania Lamb
Focus areas
Mentoring, tutoring, life skills, education, vocational training, job placement

Upcoming at TBAH

  • Every other Tuesday · 6 PMMentoring orientation and trainingSign up
  • Evenings · 6 PMEmployment skills trainingAsk about dates
  • By appointmentACT WorkKeys testing ($45 per test)See tests

FAME mentoring

Where would you like to apply?

FAME runs in two locations. Choose the one closest to you, and the application opens in MentorCore in a new tab.

TampaHillsborough County(opens in a new tab) LakelandPolk County(opens in a new tab)

Youth referral

Refer a youth

Trouble seeing the form? Open it in a new tab. This form is not monitored for emergencies. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

Reentry programs

Reentry program interest form

Tell us a little about yourself or the person you are asking for, and our reentry team will follow up. You can fill this out for yourself, a family member or friend, or someone on your caseload. Sending it opens your email app with your answers ready to send to Referral_Reentry@tampahope.org. Helping someone in a facility? Use the one-page printable form (PDF).

Which program are you interested in? (choose at least one)
Who is filling out this form?

Please give a phone number or an email address so we can reach you.

Current situation

Do not include a Social Security number or medical or criminal records. This form is not monitored for emergencies. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Veterans in crisis can call 988 and press 1.

Families

PLAN class interest form

PLAN offers parenting classes based on the Nurturing Skills curriculum for parents and caregivers in Hillsborough and Polk counties. Tell us a little about your family and we will follow up about upcoming classes. Sending this form opens your email app with your answers ready to send to info@tampahope.org. Referring a family? Use the PLAN referral form (PDF).

Please give a phone number or an email address so we can reach you.

What would you like help with? (optional)
Times that work for you (optional)

This form is not monitored for emergencies. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. To report abuse or neglect, call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873.

Youth programs

PATHS and RISE interest form

Interested in PATHS or RISE for a young person, or want TBAH to teach these classes for a group at your organization? We bring classes to schools, community and foster care agencies, housing authorities, churches, youth programs, and more, at no cost. Sending this form opens your email app with your answers ready to send to Youth_Referral@tampahope.org. Referring a specific youth? Use the PATHS referral form or the RISE referral form (PDF).

This request is for
Program (choose at least one)

Please give a phone number or an email address so we can reach you.

Times that work (optional)

Please do not include Social Security numbers or school, medical, or case records. Youth under 18 need signed parent or guardian consent to take part, and TBAH will collect it. This form is not monitored for emergencies; if a youth is in immediate danger, call 911.

Youth programs

YouthBuild TBAH interest form

YouthBuild TBAH is for young people ages 16 to 24 in Hillsborough County who want to finish their education and start a career. Students combine classroom learning with hands-on construction training. Tell us a little about yourself, or the young person you are asking for, and we will follow up about next steps. Sending this form opens your email app with your answers ready to send to info@tampahope.org. Referring a young person? Use the YouthBuild TBAH referral form (PDF).

Who is filling out this form?

Please give a phone number or an email address so we can reach you.

What are you interested in? (optional)

Please do not include Social Security numbers or school, medical, or court records. Young people under 18 need a parent or guardian's consent to enroll. This form is not monitored for emergencies; if someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

Community partnerships

Partner with us

Tell us about your organization and how you would like to work together. Sending this form opens your email app with your answers ready to send to support@tampahope.org. Prefer paper? Download the printable community partnership form (PDF).

Please give a phone number or an email address so we can reach you.

How would you like to partner? (choose at least one)
Programs of interest (optional)

Employer partnerships

Employer partner form

Tell us about your company and the roles you hire for. We will match you with trained candidates and other ways to get involved. Sending this form opens your email app with your answers ready to send to support@tampahope.org. Prefer paper? Download the printable employer partner form (PDF).

Please give a phone number or an email address so we can reach you.

How would you like to partner? (choose at least one)
Open to hiring (optional)
Credentials you value (optional)