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Community Programs
Home Builders Institute partners with a broad spectrum of local nonprofits, workforce organizations and state and city municipalities to create and implement CTE programs that address social and economic needs specific to communities across the country. HBI's Community Programs are customized to benefit underserved and underemployed populations including new American citizens, justice-involved youth and individuals re-entering society. We equip our program participants with the training, education, skillset, certification, and work experience they need to build a new career, change their lives, and give back to their local communities. Our programs reduce recidivism rates, decrease crime and boost employment in the areas we serve.

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Justice Involved Youth
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YouthBuild

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

La'sondrya Williams

HBI GRADUATE

La’sondrya joined HBI’s Electrical Program in West Palm Beach after a referral from her probation officer. With experience as a machine operator and solar electrician, she was eager to sharpen her skills and take the next step in her career. Her favorite part? Hands-on work with electrical components in the classroom! La’sondrya has already secured a full-time position as an Electrician Helper at Kasper Electrical.

“In the end, it’s all worth it.”

Find A Community Program
Meet A Graduate

Robert Daniel

Denishya Simmons

Karlos Bean

Joshua Holsey

To learn more about HBI’s Community program, please email communityprograms@hbi.org

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Home Builders Institute (HBI) is an exempt organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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(202) 371-0600

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HBI does not discriminate against any person on the basis of protected characteristics or any other basis prohibited by federal or other applicable law. This policy covers all programs, services, policies, activities, and procedures of HBI, including participation in education programs and employment.

Robert Daniel

HBI Houston Electrical Program Graduate

Robert Daniel, a Houston native, describes himself as a “Curious George type of individual” who was always using his hands to sketch buildings, fix things in the garage and play the drums for his church. Prior to training with the Home Builders Institute (HBI), 

Robert Daniel

Robert attended a technical institute hoping it would provide more options for his future. “However, the the tuition was too costly and Robert was unable to finish the degree.

“I was worried because I didn’t have money at the time to pay for schooL When I heard from my cousin that the HBI program was free, I knew —here’s the opportunity. All I have to do is show up:’
Robert consistently arrived early to class and describes walking through the HBI doors as a transformative experience that could catapult him to a great career.

While finishing up his electrical training with HBI, Robert received job readiness preparation and placement support from HBI’s Houston staff. “The HBI staff helped connect me to employers. They helped me format my resume —I would never have experienced this kind of support at a technical college. The whole atmosphere at HBI was supportive and caring.”

Robert is now employed as an Assistant Superintendent at Otwell Construction in Houston and says he loves the work he does there. He and his wife have been married for ten years and they have two young sons. “With the skills that I’ve obtained through HBI, I could see starting my own company down the road,” says Robert.

Denishya Simmons

HBI Houston Skilled Trades Program Graduate

A licensed welder by trade, Houston resident Denishya Simmons, 24, loves to be active, working hands-on with jobs and projects. Simmons joined the Gulfton Career Center program with a willingness to try something new and hope that the experience would benefit her career. 

Denishya

“I thought this would be a great opportunity because I love to build things. I love to paint. I have to keep moving. I can’t sit down all day to an office job: she said.
Simmons graduated from the HBI program in November 2021 and landed a position as a gas operator with CenterPoint Energy, an electric and natural gas utility company. “The things I’m doing at my job, the training I am getting at my job, I already learned from my training with HSI,” she comments. Simmons sees a successful and long career for herself in the industry. “There will always be a need for carpenters. If you want to get into this field, make money and provide for your family, you have to work hard for it.

Karlos Bean

HBI Baker Re-entry Center Graduate, 2020

In 2020. Karlos Bean joined HBI’s training program at the Baker Re-entry Center. which equips justice-involved individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to build careers, change their lives, and prevent recidivism. During the program. Karlos learned technical and life skills to help with his re-entry into society. “My instructor taught us how to be productive members of the workforce and treated us as 

employees, which taught us how bosses should treat their employees.” he said.

Shortly after graduating. Karlos was hired at Jacksonville Utilities in Jacksonville. Florida. Karlos utilizes his training and certificates to complete daily responsibilities at work. “HIM was instrumental in my rehabilitation and transition back into society,” Bean said. ” Without H BI and my instructor, I would probably be back in prison.” he said.

Joshua Holsey

HBI Baker Re-entry Center Graduate, 2020

Joshua Holsey enrolled in HBI’s program in the hopes of turning his life around. “Before I was incarcerated, I had never been employed” he said. When he heard about HBI’s free trades training program through the Baker Re-entry Center, he was intrigued and felt like it was a good fit for him. Joshua excelled in his training 

and gained all the necessary skills for a career in the construction industry. Due to his work ethic and determination to improve his life, he was hired as Maintenance Technician at Ever Fresh Juice Company. “When I entered the workforce. I immediately made three dollars more than others simply because of my training and certificates,” Holsey said. Joshua now performs repairs and preventive maintenance on warehouse and office facilities. “I am now a productive member of society thanks to HBI and my instructor,” he said.

Contacts Us

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MARIO GONZALEZ

Vice President of Workforce Training & Employment

Mario joined HBI as a Regional Career Development Coordinator of HBI’s Military Services in 2019 and was promoted to Associate Vice President of WTE Community & Corrections Programs in 2022.
Now serving as Vice president of WTE (2024), he oversees the daily operations of HBI’s WTE Community & Corrections, Military Services, & Academies programs, working with partners to advance HBI’s expansion and enhance job placement opportunities for graduates. Mario serves as the liaison between HBI and external stakeholders to include military installations. He ensures successful outcomes for HBI graduates from transitioning service members & veterans to justice involved adults & youths. Internally, he provides strategic operational perspective to HBI’s senior leadership team. Prior to joining HBI, Mario served for 21 years in the U.S. Army across multiple locations globally & nationally and has an MBA from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN. Mario resides in Tennessee with his wife and children and spends time in Texas where his mother, adult children, and grandchildren reside. He enjoys the outdoors and serving in his community. 
JOSEPH F. LANDERS

Executive Officer of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts

Joseph F. Landers, 71, is the Executive Officer of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts having assumed that role in 2018 with a mandate from the Board of Directors to harmonize the five MA local associations, increase communications from the state to the membership, increase the public profile of the association,

create a path to financial stability and elevate the states lobbying efforts. Prior to taking on the challenging state association role, Joe was Chief Executive Officer and founder of Customized Structures Inc., a custom manufacturer of single-family, multi-family and commercial modular and panelized structures which began operations in 1984. Joe has been involved in the building industry, both site-built and factory-built, since 1973 and has worked in all phases of construction from development through design and production including on site management and sales. Customized Structures produced on average 330 single family homes per year, had an employee base as high as 180 and was known as the innovator in the production and design of modular components.

After the sale of Customized Structures Inc. to a private equity firm in 2003 Joe remained on the Board of Directors of the Company and functioned as a consultant to the CEO. He further took on the role of helping failing building systems companies return to profitability and successfully oversaw the sale of those companies. Mr. Landers has lectured frequently on the benefits and utilization of systems-built construction to building professionals around the country and has utilized his substantial professional and industry background to provide consultation services to both national and foreign companies interested in the processes and pitfalls of building and developing utilizing building systems components.

Joe attended Northeastern University and St. Anselm’s College graduating with a B.S. in 1972. 

Joe has been a member of the National Association of Home Builders since 1974. He is past president of two local Home Builders Associations and has served two terms as President of the  State of NH Home Builders Association. Joe is also a past president of the Modular Building  Systems Council of the NAHB, has been Chairman of the National Building Systems Council (BSC)  and has served five terms as a Trustee of the BSC during which time he created the BSC logo and  wrote the brochure “Most Frequently Asked Questions about Modular Homes”. 

In 1989, Joe received the National Pacesetter Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership  and contribution to the housing industry and in 1991 was awarded the title of Builder of the Year  by the Home Builders Association of N.H. In 1992 he was appointed by the Governor to the NH  Board of Fire Control within the Department of Safety and since then was reappointed three times.  He has served as a member on the State of New Hampshire Building Code Review Board and was  appointed by the Governor of NH to the Shore Land Protection Commission. Joe was selected to  receive the 2000 S. A. Walters Chairman’s Award, the premier award in the U.S. Systems Built  Housing Industry and was installed to the New Hampshire Housing Hall of Fame for his significant  and lasting contributions to the housing industry in the State of New Hampshire.  

Joe is a Senior Life Director of the National Association of Home Builders; he is served six terms on the NAHB Budget & Finance Committee serving as Vice Chair for four of those years, he has served  as Chairman of the Resolutions Committee, the International Housing Committee and the Building  Products Issues Committee of NAHB serving on the NAHB Executive Committee multiple times. 

In 2001 Joe was elected an Area Vice President of the National Association of Home Builders  representing builders through out the northeast. 

Joe is active in his community having served as finance chairmen of his church, is a member of the  International Order of Odd Fellows, and has served on multiple boards and committees on a  volunteer basis.  

Joe and his wife, Denise, reside in Plymouth, MA, they have two children, Jessica and Brad and two  grandchildren, Lily and Jack ages 13 and 11. 

Seth Appleton

President of U.S. Mortgage Insurers

The Honorable Seth Appleton is President of U.S. Mortgage Insurers. In this role, he leads USMI’s efforts to enable sustainable access to affordable mortgage credit for borrowers while protecting taxpayers. Seth previously served as President of MISMO, the real estate finance industry’s standards organization. Prior to that, Seth served as the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research at the U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD),
a position for which he was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. In addition to his service as Assistant Secretary, Seth concurrently served as the Principal Executive Vice President of Ginnie Mae, a government corporation guaranteeing the timely payment of
principal and interest on more than $2 trillion in mortgage-backed securities.

Before joining HUD, Seth worked on Capitol Hill, including serving as Chief of Staff for U.S. Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer for more than eight years. A native of Missouri, Seth is a graduate of Stanford University and is a co-chair of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Housing Council. 

Zach Harris

BuildStrong Academy of Greater New Orleans Graduate

Zach Harris is a native New Orleans resident, two-time graduate of Tulane University and a 27-year-old construction entrepreneur. Zach comes from a family of builders and grew up around real estate and residential construction. In fact, Zach enrolled in no-cost trades training at the BuildStrong Academy of Greater New Orleans with his mother in 2022, followed by his father and two brothers in 2023. 

Zach Harris - HBI Build Strong Academy New Orleans Graduate
His construction company. Zach the Builder, crafts safer New Orleans homes via reliable roofing services. “The Academy classes cater to different experience levels and different interests. I had the construction business experience but needed to understand the craft,” says Zach. “You can’t be a great coach if you haven’t played football before.” Outside of running his company, Zach enjoys using his in-demand skill set to give back to the community. To commemorate Memorial Day 2023. Zach and other students and graduates from BSA Greater New Orleans volunteered to help build a home for a veteran in the Lower 9th Ward.
2023 MVP Class Schedule
2023 MVP Class Schedule - HVAC