Project HOPE (Home Building Opportunities for Positive Employment) was established to offer trades training and job placement services to people with disabilities. 

Working with local HBAs, HBI connects the needs of local vocational rehabilitation clients with the workforce needs of the membership and labor-strapped housing industry. 
From administrative office support personnel to framers and carpenters, the home building industry has provided people with disabilities access to rewarding, long-term careers through Project HOPE.

Project HOPE has helped more than 600 disabled workers in industry-related jobs and careers. HBI has previously operated Project HOPE programs in Columbus, Ohio and Denver.

Current Project HOPE Programs:

HOPE - South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina

Project HOPE opened in South Carolina in 2005 with funding from a three-year Projects With Industry (PWI) grant. In 2008, the U.S. Department of Education funded the program for five additional years, which allowed HBI to partner with grant recipient, the Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia.

Number of Students (trained annually): 150

Trades Offered:

Contact: Marco Williams - Project Coordinator

Program Partners: Home Builders Association of Greater Columbia,  HBA of South Carolina, South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department, the South Carolina Department of Corrections, the Watkins Pre-Release Center, the Richland One School District and the Lower Midlands Workforce Center/One Stop

Project HOPE Fact Sheet

The contents of this webpage and all information contained within it, were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. However, this content does not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.