AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Through the years, Hope Builders and its leadership have received the following awards and recognition.
HOPE BUILDERS
2018 The James Irvine Foundation selected Hope Builders to its Better Careers Portfolio, a group of California agencies working to connect low-income workers to middle-school jobs across the state.
2017 Leadership Circle Award, PIMCO Foundation
2011 First Place, Home Builders Council’s Design & Build Competition Read article
2008Won international recognition by receiving one of three Change makers Awards. This competition, sponsored by Ashoka, identifies the most innovative approaches to helping a generation of young people around the world fulfill their potential and become healthy, successful adults.
2008 Neighborhood Builders Award, Bank of America
2008 Second Place, Home Builders Council’s Design & Build Competition
2007 Strategic Partner Award, Citi
2007 Spirit of Giving Award, Ameriquest
2005 Education Construction Award, State of California by the Associated General Contractors
2004 Ruby Slippers Award, Building Industry Association of Orange County
2002Identified by the Pew Partnerships as one of 19 Solutions for America – programs that address critical issues in society in a creative and effective manner
2002 Promising Practice Award, Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California
2002 Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez
SHAWNA SMITH
2020 2020 Woman of Distinction Award, State of California 29th Senate District
2015 Community Inspiration Award, Orange County Public Safety and Reentry Committee
2012 40 Under 40, OC Metro Magazine
2011 Woman of Influence Award, Senator Lou Correa
2005 Marano Fellow, Aspen Institute
2003 Cardinal Bernadin New Leadership Award Finalist, The Catholic Campaign for Human Development
SISTER EILEEN McNERNEY
2010 Ambassador of Peace Award, Violence Commission of Orange County
2009 Women in Business Award, Orange County Business Journal
2008 Women Making a Mark in Orange County, Orange County United Way
2008 Legacy of a Lifetime Award, Orange County Community Foundation
2007 Community Service Award, National Hispanic Businesswomen of Orange County
2007 Purpose Prize Fellow, Civic Ventures
2006 James Irvine Leadership Award, State of California
2005 Community Service Award, National Hispanic Businesswomen of Orange County
2005 Hearts on Fire Award, Loyola Institute for Spirituality
2005 Author, A Story of Suffering and Hope, Paulist Press
2004 Hispanic Influentials Award: Community Service, Orange County United Way
2003 Outstanding Founder Award, Association of Fundraising Professionals
2002 Representative of the City of Santa Ana, Roundtable with President George W. Bush
2000 State of California, Woman of the Year, 69th Assembly District
1998 State of California, Woman of the Year, 72nd Assembly District
KEY FACTS
- Founded in 1995 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange
- Serve 18-28-year old “Opportunity Youth” – young adults, who are out of work and out of school; there are 37,000 Opportunity Youth, between the ages of 16-24, in Orange County
- More than 6000 young adults served over 25 years
- 2 locations in Santa Ana; 1 location in Anaheim
- $1.3 million – annual contribution (through taxes paid and a reduction in the reliance on social benefits) of employed Hope Builders’ graduates
- Annual operational budget of $3.2 million; more than enroll 200 trainees annually
- Partner with Santa Ana College to co-enroll trainees and award up to 18 credits towards an AA degree
- Place 77% of graduates into employment at an average hourly wage above $15/hour
- Launched 3 social enterprises across its 25-year history, including a custom furniture business, a general contracting company and an alternative staffing agency. Still operational, the staffing agency generates 10% of the agency’s revenue annually.
