Construction begins on first publicly owned workforce reentry campus in Southern California
Santa Ana, Calif. (June 24, 2026) – Today, the County of Orange (County) held a groundbreaking ceremony for Common Good, a first-of-its-kind, publicly owned workforce reentry campus in Southern California. Located in the City of Orange and spanning 4.6 acres, Common Good will offer vocational and workforce training, educational programs, an on-site retail center, and short-term housing that will help justice‑involved individuals rebuild their lives through employment, education and supportive services.
Common Good’s programming will be operated by Hub for Integration, Reentry & Employment (HIRE), an Orange County-based nonprofit organization focused on helping individuals get employed as they reenter the community after incarceration, without age or conviction restrictions. HIRE will ensure program participants receive holistic support through workforce training, wraparound support, mentorship and employment-placement services.
“I am very encouraged that – after years of careful planning with our community partners as part of our OC Cares initiative– this campus will move forward with the intent of helping justice‑involved individuals rebuild confidence and reenter the workforce with proven job skills,” said Chair Doug Chaffee, Fourth District. “The hands-on job training that they will receive will lead to employment opportunities and a viable career.”
The Common Good campus will feature an exciting new retail center with culinary options, and fitness and animal-care businesses that are open to the public. Many of the retail services will be provided by program participants and will help support onsite operations and programming.
An innovative housing component will provide short-term, no-cost housing for up to 52 program participants, typically for six months to one year, enabling them to receive the job-readiness services they need and focus on skill-building and employment.
“Common Good offers justice-involved individuals stable housing, job training, mentorship and a reliable path to work,” said Vice Chair Katrina Foley, Fifth District. “When people can earn a paycheck, build skills and regain stability, they can move forward instead of falling back into the circumstances that led them into the justice system, while helping Orange County reduce recidivism, prevent homelessness and strengthen public safety.”
“I want everyone to be a successful member of our society, and this includes former inmates. This facility will go a long way toward helping them learn job skills with the ability to compete in the workforce,” said Supervisor Janet Nguyen, First District. " All of this creates a safer community, and I’ll be excited to hear about all the accomplishments.”
“Stable employment and the programs needed to support the reentry into the workforce for justice-impacted individuals are critical in supporting individuals, but also their families and our communities," said Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento, Second District. “This facility will be more than just a place to go for services and programs; it can be transformative in assisting individuals to continue their lives and live with dignity."
“With Common Good, we have the opportunity to rebuild lives by offering a positive environment. Residents will feel heard and accepted by staff and their peers,” said Supervisor Donald P. Wagner, Third District. “This kind of connection, paired with essential job training and skills, will offer a genuine opportunity for successful workforce reentry.”
“We are truly humbled by the opportunity to partner with the County to bring this bold, pioneering campus to life," said Meghan Medlin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at HIRE. "Our program participants represent an untapped talent pool of highly motivated, skilled workers. By expanding the ecosystem of workforce development, mentorship, supportive services and employer partnerships that HIRE has built, we can create more opportunities for individuals, meet workforce needs for businesses and further strengthen our community.”
At the groundbreaking ceremony, County elected officials and leaders were joined by their partners, including HIRE, developer Griffin | Swinerton, contractor Swinerton Builders and architect LPA Design Studios along with Mayor Dan Slater from the City of Orange.
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