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Support HBI’s Student Success Fund

Breaking Barriers:
How HBI’s Student Success Fund Helps Students Build Their Futures

Student Success Fund

At the Home Builders Institute (HBI), we believe that every student deserves a fair shot at success—regardless of their background or financial situation. That’s why we created the Student Success Fund: a flexible, donor-supported initiative designed to help students overcome non-traditional barriers as they transition into the workforce. Whether it’s covering housing costs, transportation, or basic needs, the fund ensures that students enrolled in HBI’s job training programs can focus on building their careers without being held back by financial hardship. Over time, the fund has grown through generous contributions from partners like MiTek and the Patsy Smith/Harper Endowment.

But the real story of the Student Success Fund is told through the lives it has changed.

STUDENT STORIES

JAMES, HBI Carpentry Graduate, Crowley Correctional Facility

“While I was incarcerated, I completed a carpentry program that gave me the skills to build a new career. When I was released, the Student Success Fund helped me overcome a major barrier by providing the tools I needed to start working. With their support, I was able to get a job as a flooring specialist and begin rebuilding my life. This help made it possible for me to stay employed, become financially stable, and move forward in a positive direction. The Student Success Fund is truly important because it gives people like me the chance to start over, use our skills, and create a better future.”

MARLOW, HBI Carpentry Graduate, Crowley Correctional Facility

Marlow used the Student Success Fund to purchase tools ahead of his new job with a local remodeler.

JONATHAN, HBI Carpentry Graduate, Crowley Correctional Facility

“Being in the position & situation of a convicted felon is one where barriers seem to be everywhere, however w/the Student Success Fund in place allows access to people like me to create, pursue & utilize our skills to be able to provide for ourselves & successfully positively reintegrate contributing to society.”

Patrick, HBI HVAC Graduate, Jacksonville Military Career Center

While Patrick was working to complete his HVAC training at our Jacksonville Military Career Center, he was struggling with keeping his apartment, the Student Success Fund helped him with rent so that he could graduate and start his new role!

Miranda, HBI Graduate, Red Rock Job Corps

 At our program at Red Rock Job Corps fell behind on her bills, so her instructor recommended her for the Student Success Fund, which helped her with rent, a bus pass, and groceries until she received her first paycheck!

Jamal, HBI Plumbing Graduate, New Haven Job Corps

A New Haven Job Corps Plumbing graduate was hired as a Sprinkler Apprentice for a Fire Safety company. Jamal needed to purchase a vehicle, but the cost to insure the car was too substantial. Success funds attributed to Jamal being able to insure the car and become self-sufficient.

“HBI has been a tremendous help to me with my journey to not only my apprenticeship but to help me grow as an individual. These funds will help me because it’s hard these days to save while trying to keep your car in good condition and pay bills, all while trying to live your life.”

Dean, HBI Carpentry Graduate, Crowley Correctional Facility

“I used the student success fund for clothing because when I got released, I had absolutely nothing. It was one less thing I had to stress about. The success fund got me interview clothes, work clothes, and a few casual clothing. I’m very grateful for all the help because I don’t know what I would have done without it.”

Why the Student Success Fund Matters

The Student Success Fund is more than a financial resource—it’s a lifeline. It empowers students like Jonathan, Marlow, Patrick, Jamal, Miranda, Dean, James, and so many more to pursue meaningful careers in the skilled trades, even when life has thrown them curveballs. This fund also supports innovation initiatives, like launching new learning platforms and enhancing classroom experiences with technology and field trips.

 

With demand growing across HBI’s Academies, the fund’s annual spending has reached ~$100K and is projected to double. That’s why campaigns like #GivingTuesday and local fundraising efforts are so critical.

How You Can Help

Every dollar donated to the Student Success Fund goes directly toward helping students succeed. Whether you’re sponsoring a student’s tuition, donating tools, or contributing to general support services, your gift makes a tangible difference.

 

To learn more or get involved, visit https://hbi.org/donate/

DONATE TODAY

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It keeps HBI’s no-cost programs accessible so students can learn proven trade skills, earn industry-recognized credentials, and step into good jobs that offer the stability they need to build a stronger future.

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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