ReIGNITE Hope is a 501(c)(3) faith-based nonprofit that has provided life-changing career training and American Welding Society (AWS) certifications for over 14 years. We equip individuals facing significant barriers to employment with in-demand, high-paying skills, at no cost to them, while restoring dignity, purpose, and hope.
Who We Serve
Our students are primarily BIPOC and bilingual individuals, along with veterans, people experiencing homelessness, individuals ... Read More
ReIGNITE Hope is a 501(c)(3) faith-based nonprofit that has provided life-changing career training and American Welding Society (AWS) certifications for over 14 years. We equip individuals facing significant barriers to employment with in-demand, high-paying skills, at no cost to them, while restoring dignity, purpose, and hope.
Who We Serve
Our students are primarily BIPOC and bilingual individuals, along with veterans, people experiencing homelessness, individuals overcoming substance dependency, former gang members, ex-offenders, women, single parents, graduating teens who struggle in traditional learning environments, and those who cannot afford community college or trade school. Many come from generational poverty and marginalized communities.
What We Do
ReIGNITE Hope trains participants for careers in welding, certifies them through AWS, and assists with job placement. In 2026, we are expanding our curriculum to include fabrication and machining, creating multi-skilled, market-ready technicians who meet evolving workforce demands.
All training is provided through full scholarships, removing financial barriers and ensuring equitable access to opportunity.
Impact & Outcomes
1,500+ graduates
100% AWS welding certification rate for all graduates
Strong job placement pipeline through partnerships with unions and employers including SpaceX, Honeywell, Siemens, local unions, and more
Graduates secure high-wage careers that transform families and communities
Growth & Expansion
In late 2025, ReIGNITE Hope moved from a 6,000 sq. ft. facility into a new 25,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Gardena, CA, where we are building a state-of-the-art welding lab to nearly double training capacity.
We currently operate:
One headquarters training facility in Gardena, CA
Three Mobile Welding Training Centers serving Los Angeles, Orange, and Sacramento Counties
Additional training locations in Pennsylvania, Texas, Brazil, and the Philippines
Each Mobile Training Center is an 18-wheel trailer outfitted with 8 welding stations, capable of training 100 students per year. These centers allow us to bring training directly into underserved communities, housing projects, high schools, and areas with limited access to skilled trades education.
In 2026, we are beginning construction on our 4th Mobile Welding Training Center and seeking funding to retrofit four additional units over the next 2–5 years.
$300,000 one-time construction cost per unit
$100,000 annually to operate each unit
Workforce Development at Scale
AWS estimates a shortage of 300,000 welders nationwide, and ReIGNITE Hope is actively helping to close that gap. Our scalable model—combining centralized facilities, mobile training centers, and global partnerships—allows us to replicate success in any city, environment, or country.
Leadership & Legacy
ReIGNITE Hope is led by Steve Bunyard, an AWS Certified Welding Instructor and Inspector. Our work began in 2011 on Skid Row, training individuals experiencing homelessness, and has grown into a nationally and internationally recognized workforce development model.
Our Mission
Through faith-based instruction, hands-on training, and holistic support, ReIGNITE Hope is transforming lives with sustainable careers, strengthening the skilled trades workforce, and reigniting hope, one life at a time.
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