About Purpose 417
A California nonprofit built to connect workforce training with real community improvement.
Our Story
Purpose 417, Inc. was formed as a California nonprofit public benefit corporation and is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity. Purpose 417 grew out of the workforce training model, bringing paid job training and community improvement work to Lake County and surrounding Northern California communities.
Mission
Purpose 417, Inc. advances workforce development and community improvement projects that create opportunity, strengthen individuals, and build resilient communities across Northern California.
Vision
We envision a Northern California where opportunity is built from the ground up — through quality workforce training that empowers individuals and meaningful community improvement projects that strengthen the places where people live, work, and grow.
Our Leadership
Margaret Willhite
Founding Board Member. 20 years of sales and marketing experience across Northern California, along with more than eight years serving Lake County in workforce development, employment training, and case management.
Benjamin Boman
Founding Board Member. Contractor, entrepreneur, and technical subject matter expert with 40 years of experience in the skilled trades, business leadership, and workforce development. Driven by a passion to serve and empower others to realize their God-given potential.
Don Smith
Founding Board Member. Director of Well-Being at Adventist Health Clear Lake and President of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, with 35 years of experience in nonprofit and faith-based organizational leadership.
Our Values
Dignity
We honor the inherent worth of every person we serve, regardless of their past, circumstances, or the barriers they face.
Learning by Doing
Real skill comes from real work, paired with mentorship and coaching.
Service
We exist to serve our participants, our community, and something larger than ourselves.
Integrity
We hold ourselves to high standards — honest, reliable, and professional.
Growth
Every person we serve has the capacity to grow, and progress does not have to stop.
Let’s Build Something Meaningful Together
Our work is strengthened by the people, organizations, and communities we serve alongside. Whether you’re interested in partnering with Purpose 417, supporting our work, participating in a program, or simply learning more, we invite you to connect with us.
Nonprofit Status & Transparency
Purpose 417, Inc. is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation and an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 42-2382248). Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.