FACTS & RECOGNITION

KEY FACTS ABOUT US.

  • 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 29,000 Opportunity Youth, between the ages of 16-24, in Orange County
  • Over 7,000 young adults served for more than 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
  • More than 300 trainees enrolled annually
  • Partner with Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College to co-enroll trainees and award credentials
  • Place 84% of graduates into employment at an average hourly wage above $20/hour
  • Launched 3 social enterprises across its 25-year history, including a custom furniture business, a general contracting company and an alternative staffing agency

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION.

2021

Orange County Business Journal names Hope Builders' fall fundraiser, 10 Days of Building a Pathway to Prosperity, as one of Orange County's top 5 unique virtual events.

Hope Builders’ 25th anniversary campaign video, The Story of How it all Began, received a gold Telly Award. Produced by Small Ax Creative, the video recaps Hope Builders’ founding and features stories of program alumni, whose lives have been transformed.

2020

Orange County Business Journal names Hope Builders' fall fundraiser, 25 Days for Building Hope, as one of Orange County's top 5 unique virtual events.

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

2008

Won international recognition by receiving one of three Changemakers 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.

Neighborhood Builders Award, Bank of America

2008 Second Place, Home Builders Council’s Design & Build Competition

2007

Strategic Partner Award, Citi

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

2002

Identified by the Pew Partnerships as one of 19 Solutions for America – programs that address critical issues in society in a creative and effective manner

Promising Practice Award, Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California

2002 Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez