The Housing Development Alliance’s Hope Building Program prepares men and women in substance use recovery for stable, long-term employment through paid, hands-on training in residential construction.
We partner with local employers who are looking for motivated, job-ready workers and who want to play a meaningful role in strengthening Eastern Kentucky’s workforce and economy.
Local employers across Eastern Kentucky face the same challenges: finding dependable employees, reducing turnover, and building a workforce that can grow with their business.
Hope Building helps meet those needs by offering:
Job-ready candidates who have completed a year of structured, paid training
Employees who understand accountability, teamwork, and showing up every day
A proven workforce pipeline rooted in our local community
A partnership – not a placement – with ongoing communication and support
When employers partner with Hope Building, they aren’t just filling positions – they’re helping create stability for families and strengthening the regional workforce.
Our goal is simple: successful, long-term employment – for both the employer and the trainee.
Hope Building participants are men and women who:
Are in the advanced stages of substance use recovery
Have been referred by trusted local partners, including recovery centers and drug courts
Have demonstrated commitment, consistency, and readiness to work
Are seeking long-term employment, not short-term jobs
This is not a transitional program – it is a launch point into the workforce.
We also partner with local recovery organizations and referral agencies to identify individuals who are ready for this level of responsibility and opportunity.
If your organization is interested in referring clients to Hope Building, we would welcome the conversation.
Whether you are a local business owner, contractor, or employer looking to invest in Eastern Kentucky’s workforce, we would love to talk with you about becoming a Hope Building employer partner and/or about hiring a trainee. Contact:
Shannon Gabbard, Program Director
Office: 606-436-0497
