Hope Services
Hope Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2003 that places individuals with disabilities into competitive employment across eight west-central Florida counties, funded by Florida Vocational Rehabilitation and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersLand O Lakes, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Hope Services does
Hope Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit vocational service organization founded in 2003 by Cindy Bray and headquartered in Land O' Lakes, Florida. Its core function is to find jobs for people living with disabilities across eight west-central Florida counties (Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Levy, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, and Polk), operating as a contracted provider within Florida's state-funded vocational rehabilitation ecosystem. The organization places job seekers referred by Florida Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), and engages hundreds of employer partners including Publix, Walmart, Texas Roadhouse, Moffitt Cancer Center, and Hillsborough County Schools.
The product surface comprises two principal pillars: (1) vocational rehabilitation services for adults (comprehensive vocational evaluation, on-the-job training, pre-placement training, supported employment, mental health counseling via an in-house LMHC, and work incentive planning) and youth ages 14+ (pre-employment transition services including work-based learning, work readiness training, and self-advocacy); and (2) the Life Skills & Vocational Training Center, opened in February 2024, which delivers nationally recognized certifications in Culinary Arts (ServSafe, 20-hour course), Construction (NCCER, 80-hour course), Retail, and Hospitality, with construction students applying skills on real Habitat for Humanity builds. The August 2025 Second Chance Program extends the same credential tracks to justice-involved individuals. The FAAST program adds a federally affiliated assistive technology demonstration and device-loan function. There is no proprietary technology platform; service delivery is in-person with a county-assigned employment specialist model.
The business model is a fee-for-service nonprofit funded primarily by Florida VR and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, which underwrite the cost of placement and training services, allowing the organization to deliver all services free to both job seekers and employers. A secondary revenue layer consists of tax-deductible donations, scholarships (up to $2,000 per trainee), community foundation grants (e.g., $50,000 from Community Foundation of Tampa Bay in June 2025), and proceeds from annual fundraisers such as Dance Your Dream and the Run for Hope Zombie 5K. The go-to-market motion is referral-led: VR counselors determine eligibility and refer clients, while Hope Services proactively cultivates the employer-side network to absorb them. Operating geographies are constrained to eight Florida counties.
Hope Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hope Services
- Legal name
- Hope Services Inc.
- Website
- https://hopegetsjobs.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Hope Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2003 that places individuals with disabilities into competitive employment across eight west-central Florida counties, funded by Florida Vocational Rehabilitation and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hope Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services
- NAICS
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Individual and Family Services (6241), Educational Support Services (6117)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Supported Employment & Job Coaching (EDAKANAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Transition Services (Secondary to Postsecondary/Employment, Life Skills) (EDAJAKAG), Reentry & Justice-Involved Support Services (BPAGAEAN)
Keywords
Where Hope Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Land O Lakes
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hope Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government Funding (Vocational Rehabilitation & Agency for Persons with Disabilities): Services are primarily funded through partnerships with Florida Vocational Rehabilitation and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Since funding comes from these government sources, services are provided free of charge to both job seekers with disabilities and employers.
- Donations: Hope Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations to support vocational training programs and scholarship funds.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free services for job seekers with disabilities |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Hope Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hope Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit vocational service organization that finds jobs for people living with disabilities across eight west-central Florida counties. It provides vocational rehabilitation, job placement, on-the-job training, workplace accommodations support, and nationally recognized certifications (ServSafe culinary, NCCER construction, retail, and hospitality) through its Life Skills & Vocational Training Center. Services are delivered free of charge to both job seekers and employers, funded primarily through Florida Vocational Rehabilitation and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, with supplemental donations and scholarships.
Product overview
Hope Services is a vocational service organization that operates as a unified platform providing employment assistance and vocational training for individuals with disabilities. The core offerings include the Life Skills & Vocational Training Center with four certification programs (Culinary/ServSafe, Construction/NCCER, Retail, and Hospitality), Adult Employment Services, Youth Pre-Employment Transition Services, and specialized programs including the Second Chance Program and FAAST assistive technology program. The organization also hosts community events including the annual Dance Your Dream prom celebration and Run for Hope fundraiser. All services are coordinated with Florida Vocational Rehabilitation and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, with programs funded through VR, scholarships, or self-pay.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Life Skills & Vocational Training Center A vocational training facility offering nationally recognized certifications in Culinary Arts, Construction, Retail, and Hospitality for youth and adults with disabilities.
- Culinary Arts Program (ServSafe Certification) A 20-hour in-person course teaching commercial kitchen operations, food safety, and culinary techniques. Participants receive ServSafe certification upon completion.
- Construction Program (NCCER Certification) An 80-hour in-person construction training program where participants earn NCCER Certification, a nationally recognized credential for skilled craft professionals.
- Retail Fundamentals Program Training program providing hands-on experience with sales, stocking shelves, working a cash register, and achieving superior customer service skills with national certification.
- Hospitality Program Training program teaching fundamentals of housekeeping, sanitation, and environmental services with a focus on safety and industry standards.
- Second Chance Program Vocational training program providing hands-on instruction, professional mentorship, and job placement assistance for individuals with justice involvement through Culinary and Construction certification tracks.
- Career Source Partnership Program Partnership with Career Source Pasco-Hernando providing youth ages 16-24 access to vocational certifications, on-the-job training experiences, and job placement services.
- Adult Employment Services Comprehensive vocational evaluation, on-the-job training, pre-placement training, work incentive planning, mental health counseling, employment services, and supported employment for adults with disabilities.
- Youth Pre-Employment Transition Services Pre-employment services for youth ages 14+ including work-based learning experiences, work readiness training, and self-advocacy training to prepare for careers.
- FAAST Program Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology program providing assistive technology demonstrations, training, and device loans to individuals with disabilities.
Companies that use Hope Services
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Hope Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Hope Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Pasco County Tax Collector's Office (Pasco TC Gives)minorCharitable giving partnership for June 2026. Donations accepted at five tax collector locations and online through the Pasco TC Gives platform.
- Florida Vocational RehabilitationcorePrimary government partner providing funding and referral pipeline. Job seekers are referred to Hope Services after eligibility determination by VR counselors. This partnership enables services to be provided free of charge to both job seekers and employers.
- Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)coreState agency partnership providing funding for services to individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. Works alongside VR to fund vocational rehabilitation programs.
- CareerSource Pasco-HernandocorePartnership providing access to vocational certifications and employment opportunities for youth ages 16-24 who are not currently in school. Includes on-the-job training experiences and job placement services.
- Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay GulfsidecoreHands-on training partnership providing real construction job site experience for NCCER certification program participants. Students apply newly learned skills in actual building projects.
- Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST)coreHope Services is an official FAAST demonstration center with a dedicated room where individuals can see, interact with, borrow, and learn about assistive technology devices. Provides demonstrations and training for families, educators, therapists, and employers.
- Fit Niche EventsminorEvent administration partner for the Run for Hope... and Your Life! Zombie 5K and 1K Fun Run, managing race registration and awards.
- Main EventminorHosted the 5-Year Strategic Plan Reveal luncheon, providing food, fun, and entertainment for attendees.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Hope Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SourceAmerica: SourceAmerica administers the AbilityOne Program, which creates employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities through federal contracts. Directly comparable mission and population (people with disabilities) as Hope Services, though operating at national/federal scale rather than regional.
- Best Buddies International: Best Buddies runs integrated employment and transition programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including school-to-work programs. Comparable to Hope Services in target population and employment placement focus, with national scope rather than regional.
- The Arc: The Arc is a national disability advocacy and services organization with local chapters providing vocational, residential, and employment supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable to Hope Services in serving the IDD population with employment and life-skills services.
- Goodwill Industries International: Goodwill Industries operates one of the largest networks of vocational rehabilitation, job training, and supported employment programs for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment in the U.S. Directly comparable to Hope Services in mission (disabilities-to-employment), funding model (government contracts + retail/donation revenue), and service mix (training + placement).
- Chimes: Chimes is a nonprofit organization providing employment, vocational, behavioral health, and community living services primarily for people with disabilities. Comparable to Hope Services in supported employment, vocational training, and disability-focused mission, though operating across a broader geographic footprint.
- Easterseals: Easterseals is a national nonprofit providing disability services including vocational rehabilitation, job coaching, and supported employment across all 50 states. Highly comparable to Hope Services in target population (people with disabilities), service offerings (employment + training), and nonprofit/contract-funded model.
- Melwood: Melwood is a large nonprofit providing employment, vocational training, and community services primarily for people with disabilities in the mid-Atlantic region. Closely mirrors Hope Services' supported-employment model, certification-based training programs, and contract-funded delivery structure.
Broad incumbents
- Volunteers of America: Volunteers of America is a large national nonprofit providing a broad portfolio of human services including workforce development, reentry programs, and disability services. Comparable to Hope Services in the Second Chance and employment-support areas, but operates at much larger scale and broader service scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hope Services social profiles
Digital presenceHope Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hope Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Hope Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hope Services M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hope Services
What does Hope Services do?
Hope Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit vocational service organization that finds jobs for people living with disabilities across eight west-central Florida counties. It provides vocational rehabilitation, job placement, on-the-job training, workplace accommodations support, and nationally recognized certifications (ServSafe culinary, NCCER construction, retail, and hospitality) through its Life Skills & Vocational Training Center. Services are delivered free of charge to both job seekers and employers, funded primarily through Florida Vocational Rehabilitation and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, with supplemental donations and scholarships.
Is Hope Services a public or private company?
Hope Services is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Hope Services founded?
Hope Services was founded in 2003. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Hope Services based?
Hope Services is headquartered in Land O Lakes, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hope Services make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government Funding (Vocational Rehabilitation & Agency for Persons with Disabilities) is the primary driver. The others are donations.
Who are Hope Services's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SourceAmerica, Best Buddies International, The Arc, Goodwill Industries International, Chimes, Easterseals and Melwood. Volunteers of America is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Hope Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hope Services.
What industry is Hope Services in?
Hope Services's product category is Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAKANAE, Supported Employment & Job Coaching, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAJ, Employment & Job Readiness Support Services. Its NAICS code is 6243 and its SIC code is 7361.