“You have given me another option for this young man.”

Those were the judge’s words after Cornerstone Craftsman stood beside a 17-year-old pre-apprentice in court—someone who, without support, faced a long term juvenile sentence. Because of his commitment to our program—and because of donors like you making our advocacy possible—the court chose a different path, cleaning his criminal record. Instead of indefinite probation, he was given the chance to remain in his community and continue building a future grounded in purpose, skill, and hope.

Stories like his reflect the broader impact of second chances—an impact also seen in the journey of Gabe Espinoza (pictured above). Once a pre-apprentice with nothing but determination, Gabe didn’t even know how to hold his tools the right way four years ago. Today, he is in an electrical union, Local IBEW 26, he’s earning life changing money and building a future with his hands, skills, and pride—proof that the right support can turn uncertainty into stability.

That’s the power of your generosity.

Thanks to supporters like you, Cornerstone Craftsman closed 2025 with incredible momentum. We passed our $70,000 individual giving goal, launched our first full year as a registered 501(c)(3), and—most importantly—changed lives across Alexandria.

Now, as we step into 2026, we’re asking you to help us do even more.

Cornerstone Craftsman exists to equip young people with the instruction, tools, and mentoring they need to earn a livable wage and build lasting careers in the skilled trades. We serve youth from age 12 through graduation—many from communities impacted by poverty, crime, substance abuse, and chronic absenteeism—providing not just opportunity, but consistency, guidance, and stability. By investing in skills, mentorship, and belief in their potential, we work to break cycles of generational poverty and build a proficient, marketable workforce, empowering our youth to achieve financial independence and a sustainable future.

Your support in early 2026 will help us:

Increase hands-on pre-apprentice training hours at our facility, strengthening job readiness, skill mastery, and positive mentor relationships.
Sustain and expand our Learning Lab, providing academic tutoring, career readiness, and mentorship with construction industry leaders, unions, and firms.
Create high-quality work-based learning opportunities, including job shadowing, one on one career mentoring, service learning, internships, cooperative education, and entrepreneurship coaching.
Expand critical wrap-around support services to meet emergency needs of pre-apprentices and their families, and tracking attendance and attrition for our youth.
Add youth from our waitlist—currently 37 young people—to our Pre-Apprenticeship program, expanding access to paid training, mentorship, and career pathways for teens ready and eager to participate.

What your generosity made possible in 2025:

Onboarded, equipped, and activated two 14-person youth networks
Successfully advocated for 9 pre-apprentices in court
Hosted and attended 10+ career-focused events led by industry professionals
Distributed 5,000+ pounds of healthy groceries to 28 youth and their families
Secured work-ready documents (IDs, paperwork, fees covered) for pre-apprentices
Helped youth earn a driver’s license and enroll in driver’s education
Supported two students in launching their own business, Wealthy Walls, LLC
Provided OSHA 10 and CPR certifications
Established a workshop and classroom facility and acquired a transportation van
Created 10+ civic engagement opportunities with community partners
Helped two students graduate on time through our Learning Lab
Implemented a 6 week summer learning program, in partnership with Alexandria’s Summer Youth Employment Program, where additional youth earned OSHA certifications in one week.

2025 marked our first full year as a registered 501(c)(3). We accomplished all of this with limited resources—and a lot of heart. As we step into 2026, your donation is an investment in a future where every teen in Alexandria has a real chance at a rewarding, sustainable, and self-sufficient life.

Thank you for believing in our youth and for standing with us as we continue to be that “other option” for young people who need a meaningful, life-changing alternative to college.

With gratitude,
Roberto Gomez AND The Cornerstone Craftsman Team

2026- Invest in Transformative Workforce Training

By Cornerstone Craftsman

2026- Invest in Transformative Workforce Training

Help Alexandria Teens Build Real Careers and Brighter Futures

Team Members