Heroes of Hope Exhibit 3: Training Ground for Tomorrow’s Heroes

Welcome to Exhibit 3! , My name Cindy, and I oversee the Career Readiness Coordinators at Hope Builders.

This exhibit highlights the trainee phase—the pivotal stage in the journey to hope, where Hope Builders’ heroes are forged. Here, reliability, hard work, guidance, and determination combine to build the foundation for lasting success. Each day, trainees work with dedication and purpose, moving closer to turning hope into reality.

The key takeaway here is that Hope Builders transforms lives by following an innovative comprehensive model—one that not only teaches career path skills—but builds confidence, reliability, and character.
Meet our hero, Fredi—a Hope Builders alum who exemplifies this powerful stage of transformation.

Prior to learning about Hope Builders, Fredi, worked with his aunt as a housekeeper but dreamed of a career with professional growth. At 18, he learned about the hands-on skills training from a friend and quickly pursued the opportunity.

Fredi shares: “Hope Builders training gave me confidence that I could have a career I love.”

Fredi’s superpower is Reliability – a vital asset that leads to success in both life and work.

Take a moment to notice the work boots on the pedestal. They symbolize the hard work, determination, and commitment required to complete our training and step confidently into a new career.

For Fredi, they also symbolize the many valuable skills he was taught—such as how to maintain a safe worksite, communicate clearly and effectively and conduct himself professionally.

The Trainee Experience: Training Ground for Tomorrow’s Heroes

Over our 30 years, Hope Builders has created a 4-stage recipe for success;

The 4 stages are: applicant stage, trainee stage, career builder and hope builder phase.

During each phase, trainees receive individualized support while going through an extensive training program in one of our 3 programs. Our trainees choose between construction, medical assistance, or childhood development. So, whether they’re building houses, saving lives, or shaping the next generation, they’re all basically superheroes in the making. All of this is provided at no cost to them, thanks to supporters like you and other community partners.

Our training is delivered by instructors who are professionals in their fields. They provide both traditional classroom learning and hands-on training that mirrors real work environments.

Every day, trainees practice not only their technical skills but also their workforce readiness skills, ensuring they are fully prepared to launch their careers.

I’m proud of our Employment Readiness team at Hope Builders. We work very closely with training supervisors to regularly assess each trainee’s Workforce Readiness. A trainee who is deemed Workforce Ready has the Hope Builders stamp of approval. A Workforce Ready candidate has consistently demonstrated progress and mastery of the skills employer’s demand such as reliability, initiative and accountability.

As part of our evaluation, we score each trainee on rubric and develop individualized goal plans and triage support as needed.

We also ensure our lessons heavily favor active learning and case studies from graduates out in the field.

To reinforce the values of reliability and commitment, we enforce a strict attendance policy during the 4 to 20 weeks of training. This mirrors the probationary period of a new job and helps trainees develop habits that employers value most.

As trainees grow in skills and confidence, they move closer to achieving successful job placement – transforming their own lives and the lives of their families.

Every success story is fueled by our trainees’ dedication and the support of people like you. In 30 years, more than 7,500 lives have been transformed through our comprehensive approach—brightening futures for families and meeting critical labor needs for employers across the community.

Thank you for walking with us through this part of the journey. This is where reliability is built and hope begins to take root. Join us in empowering these future heroes—your support fuels their journey from training to triumph, creating lasting change in our community.