Hub for Integration, Reentry & Employment (H.I.R.E.)

HIRE's mission is to maximize the skills and opportunities for formerly incarcerated and system-involved youth and adults in Orange County through employment, mentorship and community building.

We envision a unified Orange County where gaps in social, political, and economic opportunities are eliminated for formerly incarcerated and system-impacted youth and adults.

To realize the promise of our mission, we are committed to the following principles:

- Connect and unite Orange County stakeholders to support the reintegration of formerly incarcerated community members
- Use research informed and data driven strategies grounded in equity, and justice.
- Lift the voices of formerly incarcerated and system-impacted people

The Hub for Integration, Reentry & Employment (HIRE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2020 in response to the need for integrated services for people being released back to the Orange County community after incarceration.

HIRE works through two main initiatives – Community Outreach and Direct Service/Programming. More specifically, we provide workshops, educational meetings, targeted subcommittees, and trainings geared toward unifying reentry stakeholders and eliminating gaps in services, and also provide direct service for clients through employment readiness/placement, mentoring, and linkages to local resources.

As we work towards opening Orange County's first ever reentry workforce training facility, we have opened a our first physical facility in the city of Orange in late August 2025. Our centers serve as a central community space to better serve clients and their individualized needs.

In Orange County, roughly 50,000 people are released back to our communities after incarceration. At any given time, roughly 1/3 of people with backgrounds are unemployed (higher than any US unemployment rate - including during the Great Depression). Being unemployed means people do not have the ability to provide for themselves or their families, face homelessness, lack access to healthcare and proper nutrition.

Studies show that having a job post-release is the single most important factor in reducing recidivism.

HIRE provides people returning from incarceration with the resources and support they need to succeed after incarceration. Our Jobs Not Jails program assists with employment readiness, life skills, social/emotional support and job placement. After placement, we continue to work with a person to ensure they are able to keep their job and continue to advance in their careers. In 2024, HIRE provided 1,105 people with employment, mentorship and community building activities. With no dedicated staff member focusing on employment, we were still able to place 71% of job seekers into quality employment making (on average) $41,915/year.

Each year, over 600,000 individuals are released from incarceration in the U.S., many of whom return to communities without the necessary resources or support to successfully reintegrate. In Orange County, nearly 50% of those released from jail or prison re-offend within three years, often due to a lack of stable housing, employment opportunities, and access to mental health services.

The barriers to successful reentry are profound. In California, justice-involved individuals face an unemployment rate of over 27%, significantly higher than the general population. Stable employment and housing are two of the most critical factors in reducing recidivism, yet, nearly 80% of formerly incarcerated people struggle to find long-term housing. In Orange County alone, the homeless population continues to rise, with 40% of unhoused individuals having experienced incarceration.

The Hub for Integration, Reentry & Employment (HIRE) is dedicated to addressing these challenges by offering comprehensive reentry services that focus on employment, housing support, job training, and mental health services. Through targeted programs, mentorship, and partnerships with local businesses and community organizations, HIRE helps formerly incarcerated individuals overcome the barriers to reentry and provides the tools they need to build sustainable futures.

Without expanded support, many of these individuals face the high likelihood of re-incarceration, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and destabilizing the communities they seek to rebuild their lives within. Your support of HIRE can change the trajectory for hundreds of justice involved people each year, reducing recidivism rates, promoting self-sufficiency, and strengthening the fabric of our communities.

We invite you to join us in our mission to create lasting change for those who need it most. Together, we can help rebuild lives, reduce recidivism, and create a stronger, safer Orange County.

Orange County, California

At HIRE, we believe in the power of everyone having a fair chance. Each person we serve is more than their past; they are a member of our community striving to rebuild their life. By providing critical support like employment, mentorship and community building, we help formerly incarcerated people break the cycle of recidivism and build brighter futures.

Your support is essential in creating opportunities for those who need it most. Together, we can "Rebuild Lives and Strengthen Communities." When you invest in HIRE, you invest in hope, stability, and lasting change. Every contribution helps us continue this vital work, making Orange County safer and more equitable for all.

Thank you for joining us in this important mission.

- Meghan Medlin

At HIRE, we are committed to transforming lives and building a more inclusive community. The work we do helps individuals reclaim their lives through comprehensive support— from job training to housing and mental health services. But we can't do it alone.

Your support empowers us to continue providing these critical services to individuals who deserve a second chance. By standing with HIRE, you’re not only supporting those in need, but you’re also making a direct impact on the future of our community, helping to create a stronger, safer, and more compassionate place for everyone.

Together, we can make a real difference. Thank you for being part of our mission.