Hope Builders

What Hope Builders does

Hope Builders is a 501(c)-equivalent nonprofit workforce development organization founded in 1995 by Sister Eileen McNerney as a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, headquartered at 801 N. Broadway in Santa Ana, California, with an additional training facility in Anaheim. The organization targets Orange County young adults ages 16-24 who are disconnected from both school and employment, a population it estimates at more than 30,000 in Orange County and 6.7 million nationally. It delivers free vocational training across three career pathways — Construction (16-week program in carpentry, plumbing, electrical, cement masonry, and painting), Clinical Medical Assisting (with a 160-hour externship), and Child Development (instructional aide, behavioral technician, para-educator roles) — structured around a proprietary four-stage Student Journey model (Applicant, Trainee, Career Builder, Hope Builder) that combines technical instruction with life-skills training, mentorship, stipends, transportation support, and wraparound services.

Hope Builders Career Connections (HBCC) operates as a captive social-enterprise staffing agency that places graduates with vetted employer partners, creating a closed-loop pipeline between training output and employer demand. Employer-side partners include Walt Disney Imagineering, Clark Construction, DPR Construction, McCarthy Building Companies, Turner Construction, Banc of California, Providence St. Joseph Health, and PCL Construction. The construction-vertical employer base is particularly concentrated, with Clark, DPR, and McCarthy co-hosting the annual Builder's Luncheon that raised $245,000 in 2025.

The funding model is diversified across five streams: foundation and corporate grants (PIMCO since 2001, JPMorgan Chase 15+ years, Sun Family Foundation since 1999, Cedar Foundation since 2010 — $300,000 cumulative — plus 2025 commitments from Sue J. Gross, Bright Future, O.L. Halsell, U.S. Bank, and Ceres); individual donations via the 10 Days for Launching Careers annual campaign ($802,685 in 2024, recognized as a Top 5 Orange County charitable event in 2024 and 2025); event-based corporate sponsorships (Light Up A Life gala, Builder's Luncheon at Premier/Gold/Silver/Platinum levels); government appropriations (U.S. Rep. Correa secured $500,000 for low-income youth job training); and earned income from HBCC placement fees. Leadership is run by Executive Director Shawna Smith (with the organization since 1998, Executive Director since 2008) supported by a deputy director, CFO, senior development director, and a board composed of senior executives from JPMorgan Chase, Walt Disney Imagineering, Banc of California, Clark Construction, Credit Suisse, Golden State Foods, Deloitte, and City of Hope Orange County. Headcount is stated at 11-50 with internal descriptions supporting 50-100 full-time staff across training, enrollment, employment readiness, fundraising, and operations.

Name

Hope Builders

Legal name

HOPE BUILDERS

Website

https://tsjhopebuilders.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hope Builders is a Santa Ana, California nonprofit founded in 1995 that provides free vocational training in construction, healthcare, and child development to Orange County young adults ages 16-24 disconnected from work and school, placing graduates with employer partners through its social-enterprise staffing arm, HBCC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development & Vocational Training

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)

Keywords

• Workforce development training
• Vocational job training
• Staffing agency services
• Youth employment programs
• Construction and healthcare training

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Ana

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Foundation & Corporate Grants: Major funding from foundations including The Sun Family Foundation, Bright Future Foundation, O.L. Halsell Foundation, Sue J. Gross Foundation, Dhont Family Foundation, Cedar Foundation ($300,000), Ceres Foundation, and corporate foundations like PIMCO Foundation. JPMorgan Chase has invested over 15 years. State Farm, U.S. Bank, and others provide annual grants.
2. Individual Donations: Annual fundraising campaigns including 10 Days for Launching Careers (raised $802,685 in 2024), individual donor support, and planned giving programs. Premier supporters include families like the Palmers (since 2001) and Jayne Dahlgren (nearly 20 years).
3. Social Enterprise (HBCC): Hope Builders Career Connections (HBCC) operates as a social enterprise staffing agency that places graduates with employer partners, generating earned income while fulfilling the mission of connecting trained talent with workforce needs.
4. Corporate Sponsorships & Events: Event-based revenue from annual Builder's Luncheon (raised $245,000 in 2025, $220,000 in 2026, $144,000 in 2024, $120,000 in 2019), Light Up A Life gala, and various corporate sponsorships at Premier, Gold, Silver, and Platinum levels.
5. Government Funding: U.S. Rep. Correa secured $500,000 to fund low-income youth job training services in Santa Ana. Providence St. Joseph Health partnership (24 years) supports youth workforce development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

Hope Builders is a nonprofit workforce development organization that provides free vocational training, life skills, mentorship, and job placement to disconnected young adults (ages 16-24) in Orange County across three pathways: Construction, Healthcare (Clinical Medical Assisting), and Child Development. Its social enterprise staffing agency, Hope Builders Career Connections (HBCC), places graduates with employer partners.

Product overview

Hope Builders is a workforce development nonprofit offering an integrated suite of training programs and employment services for young adults in Orange County. Its core programs span three career pathways—Construction, Healthcare (Clinical Medical Assisting), and Child Development—each combining technical instruction, life skills training, mentorship, and wraparound support. Hope Builders Career Connections (HBCC) serves as the organization's social enterprise staffing agency, directly placing graduates with vetted employer partners. The portfolio is unified by a four-stage Student Journey model: Applicant, Trainee, Career Builder, and Hope Builder, with programs providing stipends, mentorship, mock interviews, and job placement assistance throughout.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hope Builders Career Connections (HBCC): Social enterprise staffing agency that connects Hope Builders graduates with employers in construction, healthcare, and child development fields.

Products and services

• Hope Builders Career Connections (HBCC) Social enterprise staffing agency that links trained graduates with employer partners, placing vetted young adults into construction, healthcare, and child development careers. Free for employers seeking to hire graduates.
• Construction Training Program 16-week training program preparing young adults for careers as carpenters, plumbers, electricians, cement masons, painters, and other construction trades.
• Clinical Medical Assisting (CMA) Training Program Training program preparing young adults for medical assisting careers in doctor offices, hospitals, and community clinics, including a 160-hour externship component.
• Child Development Careers Program Training program preparing young adults for careers working with children as instructional aides, behavioral technicians, para-educators, and related roles.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 7,000 young adults transformed over 30 years
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, flagship and founding.

• Turner Construction CompanymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Hosted Construction Training Program trainees at Cal OES job site in Costa Mesa. Tours of grading and prep work. Trade partners and employees shared career journeys.
• DreamCraft / Steve and Shelly AmatomajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Heroes of Hope celebration supporters. Production and in-kind donation of museum-quality displays created immersive environment at campaign kickoff event.
• PCL ConstructionmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20192019 Best of Friends Honoree. Welcomed Hope Builders trainees to Santa Ana Public Library jobsite. Tours and career journey presentations by trade partners and employees.
• Walt Disney ImagineeringflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership and investment in workforce development has helped more than 200 young adults each year gain technical skills and professional readiness. Strengthened through board participation (Michael Cawlina on board) and generous financial contributions. Has encouraged general contractor partners to partner with Hope Builders for diverse hiring.
• St. Joseph Health (Providence)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 201624 years of partnership through St. Joseph Hospital, Mission Hospital, and St. Jude Medical Center. Connects disadvantaged youth to prosperity. Like Hope Builders, a ministry of Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange.
• Clark Construction GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Premier Level supporter co-hosting annual Builder's Luncheon. Connects local subcontractors with mission. Opened job opportunities for graduates. Annual Week of Service engages employees in Connect Over Coffee events.
• DPR ConstructionflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Co-host of annual Builder's Luncheon. Premier supporter investing in future workforce. Connects local subcontractors with mission.
• McCarthy Building CompaniesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Co-host of annual Builder's Luncheon. Premier supporter investing in future workforce.
• Habitat for Humanity of Orange CountymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016On-site build days where trainees worked alongside Habitat framing first floor of multi-unit housing project. First-hand construction experience for many participants.
• Sisters of St. Joseph of OrangefoundingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995Hope Builders is a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. Founded in 1995 by Sister Eileen McNerney. Organization operates under the values of the Sisters, serving 'the dear neighbor' and moving Orange County forward. The Sisters of St. Joseph Mother House hosts founding families events.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rubicon Programs: California nonprofit providing employment, housing, and supportive services to people breaking the cycle of poverty; comparable in California footprint, wraparound services model, and workforce development focus.
• Chrysalis: Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing job readiness training, placement, and social enterprise work to people experiencing barriers to employment; directly comparable Southern California geography, target population, and social enterprise staffing model.
• Year Up: National nonprofit providing workforce training, mentorship, and job placement for low-income young adults ages 18-24, directly comparable in target population, wraparound services model, and employer partnership strategy.
• JVS SoCal (Jewish Vocational Service): Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing workforce development, career training, and supportive services to job seekers facing barriers; comparable in Southern California footprint, training-plus-placement model, and career pathways approach.
• SER National (Jobs for Progress): National nonprofit providing workforce development, education, and economic empowerment services primarily to Hispanic communities; directly comparable in target population, career training scope, and employer-partnership placement model across multiple US regions.
• Working Solutions (CDSS): San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit providing workforce development and employment services to adults with barriers; comparable in California footprint, employer-pipeline approach, and wraparound support model.
• Goodwill of Orange County: Local chapter of Goodwill Industries providing workforce development, vocational training, and job placement for individuals with barriers to employment; directly comparable in Orange County geography, training-plus-placement model, and reuse/social enterprise revenue stream.
• Per Scholas: National nonprofit delivering tuition-free technology and professional skills training to adults from underserved communities, comparable in workforce development model, employer-pipeline approach, and free trainee pricing.

Broad incumbents

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Orange County: Regional youth development nonprofit serving OC youth with education, career, and leadership programming; comparable in target age range and Orange County footprint but broader in mission scope beyond workforce.

Emerging players

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County: Local youth mentoring nonprofit serving at-risk youth through one-to-one mentoring relationships; comparable in Orange County geographic focus and mentorship as a key intervention, but narrower in workforce-training scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tsjhopebuilders
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/TallerSanJoseMedia
• Facebookfacebook.com/tsjhopebuilders
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tsjhopebuilders
• Instagraminstagram.com/hope_builders

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hope Builders