Carpenter's Place

What Carpenter's Place does

Carpenter's Place is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit homeless services organization founded in June 2000 by Al and Cathy Barsema and headquartered at 1149 Railroad Avenue in Rockford, Illinois. The organization operates as a central daytime center for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, offering a coordinated suite of programs: a Day Room with open-door access (averaging 90-100 guests daily), professional case management with individualized Life Recovery Plans spanning 14 life areas, a Family Services Program (launched May 2018) addressing 16 areas for parents and children, on-site Support & Education Groups, an Employment Training internship program, and a five-sub-program Housing division serving 58 participants across Women's Transitional, Veterans, Mental Health, Employment, and Permanent Supportive Housing units. The organization does not use proprietary technology; service delivery is human-led and supported by a WordPress website, email newsletters, and case management processes.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit funding structure. Program operations are funded primarily through charitable donations (individual giving, monthly REBUILD recurring donations, planned giving/bequests, memorial gifts), government grants (HUD for Permanent Supportive Housing, VA for Veterans Transitional Housing), and corporate/foundation partnerships (Thrivent Choice, Walmart Spark Good, Amazon Smile). Revenue-generating social enterprises include two Carpenter's Corner thrift stores — the original Rural location at 1715 Rural Street and a second Alpine location opened in 2025 at 2512 S. Alpine Rd. — alongside Blessings Bracelet merchandise ($10 wooden, $25 beaded) and signature fundraising events (Celebrate Success gala and a new Golf Outing in 2026). Services to homeless individuals and families are provided at no charge; the only priced consumer offerings are merchandise and event tickets.

The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven rather than commercial: Carpenter's Place acquires participants through open-door Day Room access and referrals from a 400+ agency regional network, and acquires donors through newsletters, blog content, social media (Facebook, X), community presentations to schools/churches/workplaces, and annual fundraising events. The organization employs 19 staff led by Executive Director Alberto Carrión, with an additional volunteer-driven workforce supporting day-to-day operations. Geographic scope is regional, focused on Rockford and Winnebago County, Illinois.

Name

Carpenter's Place

Legal name

The Carpenter's Place

Website

https://carpentersplace.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Carpenter's Place is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit homeless services organization in Rockford, Illinois that operates a daytime center providing case management, housing programs, employment training, and family services to homeless adults and families in crisis, funded through donations, grants, and two thrift stores.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless Services and Social Services Nonprofit

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Homeless day center
• Case management services
• Housing programs
• Social services nonprofit
• Thrift store operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Rockford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Financial Donations: The organization relies on charitable donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations. The website states '100% of your financial gift goes to Carpenter's Place.' Monthly recurring donations are encouraged through the REBUILD program.
2. Thrift Store Revenue: Carpenter's Corner thrift stores sell gently-used clothing, jewelry, toys, household goods, furniture, bicycles, and books. Revenue supports the organization's programs for homeless and families in crisis.
3. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: Accepts bequests, IRA beneficiary designations, life insurance gifts, and real estate donations as part of planned giving programs.
4. Blessings Bracelets Sales: Hand-beaded bracelets sold to support the Women's Housing Program. Wooden bracelets are $10, beaded bracelets are $25.
5. Special Events: Annual Celebrate Success event with individual tickets at $60 and table sponsorships. First-ever Golf Outing in 2026 with single golfer at $80, foursome at $320.
6. Government Grants: HUD funding for Permanent Supportive Housing program. Veterans' Administration program for veteran transitional housing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Carpenter's Place is a nonprofit homeless day center that operates a coordinated suite of social services in Rockford, Illinois, including a Day Room with open-door daytime shelter, professional case management with personalized Life Recovery Plans addressing 14 life areas, family case management, employment training, support groups, and a multi-program housing division. The organization also runs two Carpenter's Corner thrift stores and sells Blessings Bracelets as revenue-generating social enterprises whose proceeds fund homeless programs. All core services are delivered free of charge to beneficiaries and funded through donations, grants, and retail revenue.

Product overview

Carpenter's Place is a nonprofit homeless day center offering a coordinated suite of social services organized as integrated program modules. Core services include the Day Room (safe daytime shelter), Case Management with Life Recovery Plans addressing 14 life areas, Family Services (16 life areas), Employment Training (internship program), Support & Education Groups, and a five-program Housing division serving 58 participants. The organization also operates two Carpenter's Corner thrift stores and sells Blessings Bracelets as social enterprises that generate revenue to fund programming. All services are delivered with a compassion-with-accountability approach inspired by Christian values.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• REBUILD: Monthly giving program where donors support Carpenter's Place with recurring monthly donations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 246 homeless adults secured stable housing
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles5 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Crusader CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides on-site medical services at Carpenter's Place for homeless individuals who otherwise lack access to healthcare.
• Veterans AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomeless Veterans' Program providing on-site medical services at CP and supporting the Veterans Transitional Housing program with a three-bedroom home purchased through a special VA program.
• Rockford Rescue MissionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOvernight shelter and residential recovery program. CP coordinates to avoid duplication of services and refer guests appropriately.
• RosecrancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubstance abuse services provider. Referrals made for guests needing addiction treatment and support.
• Al-Tech of RockfordmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubstance abuse services provider for guests needing addiction treatment.
• Remedies (formerly Phase/WAVE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubstance abuse services and domestic violence support for affected families.
• Careers Etc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployment services provider connecting guests with job training, resume assistance, and job placement.
• Illinois Employment Training Center (IETC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState employment training services for job seekers.
• Janet Wattles Mental Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health services provider for guests needing psychiatric care and counseling.
• Family Counseling ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounseling and mental health services for individuals and families.
• Swedish American HospitalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical services and healthcare referrals for guests.
• Rockford School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGED programs and educational services for guests and their children. Assistance with 504 Plans and IEPs for children.
• Rockford Housing AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeneral assistance and housing coordination for guests seeking stable housing.
• Salvation ArmymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResidential recovery program and social services committee participation.
• Shelter Care MinistriesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransitional housing services for families and individuals.
• Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState human services department providing benefits access and support services.
• Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities.
• Rockford Area Arts CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartial grant support for the Art program. Receives support from City of Rockford and Illinois Arts Council.
• ThriventmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerThrivent Choice program allows members to direct grant dollars to CP. Thrivent Action Teams support service projects. CP is a Thrivent Choice-enrolled organization.
• WalmartminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWalmart Spark Good Round Up program allows customers to round up purchases and donate to CP via the Walmart app.
• Amazon SmileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon Smile donates a portion of eligible purchases to CP when customers select Carpenter's Place as their charity.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Catholic Charities USA: Catholic Charities USA operates a national network of diocesan agencies delivering housing, family services, case management, and emergency assistance. Its Rockford-area agency (Catholic Charities of the Rockford Diocese) competes for the same government grants and donor dollars as Carpenter's Place while offering a broader service portfolio.
• Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is a national nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, addiction recovery, and social services — directly overlapping with Carpenter's Place's programming. It is a documented referral partner and operates at much greater scale, functioning as a broad incumbent in the same service category.

Direct peers

• Rosecrance Health Network: Rosecrance is a regional behavioral health and addiction treatment provider that is also a documented Carpenter's Place referral partner for substance abuse services. Its Rockford-area operations overlap directly with the addictions, mental health, and housing program components of Carpenter's Place's service model.
• Shelter Care Ministries: Shelter Care Ministries operates transitional housing and supportive services for families and individuals in the Rockford region, including emergency shelter. It is a documented referral partner of Carpenter's Place and a directly comparable peer in transitional housing and case management.
• Rockford Rescue Mission: Rockford Rescue Mission provides emergency shelter, residential recovery, and meals to homeless individuals in the same Rockford, IL market. It is a directly comparable peer operating a similar faith-based service model and is also a documented referral partner of Carpenter's Place, illustrating the tight competitive geography.
• Family Promise: Family Promise is a national nonprofit focused specifically on preventing and ending family homelessness through case management, shelter, and stabilization programs — a directly overlapping mission with Carpenter's Place's Family Services Program. Local Family Promise affiliates operate comparable family-focused homelessness services in similar-sized markets.
• Goodwill Industries International: Goodwill operates a comparable nonprofit thrift store social enterprise model that funds workforce development and community programs. Carpenter's Corner is structurally similar to Goodwill retail stores, and both fund employment training programs from earned retail revenue.

Others

• National Alliance to End Homelessness: The National Alliance to End Homelessness is an advocacy, research, and capacity-building organization that shapes federal homelessness policy and funding. It does not deliver direct services but influences the funding environment that Carpenter's Place and similar providers depend on.
• United Way of Rock River Valley: United Way of Rock River Valley is the regional convener and pass-through funder for many of the same human services programs in the Rockford area. It is a major institutional donor to many of Carpenter's Place's peer organizations and serves as a complementary rather than competitive force in the ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Habitat for Humanity: While primarily a housing developer, Habitat for Humanity's local affiliates increasingly engage in critical home repair, housing counseling, and supportive housing services that overlap with the housing stability outcomes Carpenter's Place pursues. Its Winnebago County/DeKalb County affiliate is a regional peer for housing-focused interventions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CPbringsHope
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheCarpentersPlace

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 records

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 Carpenter's Place