Richardson-based community management services company Associa has launched a pilot program to provide career opportunities to young adults who are aging out of the foster care system or exiting homelessness.

The program offers participants hands-on experience with corporate career options, including office-based roles and professional pathways that may feel out of reach for young adults exiting the foster care system, Associa said. While many workforce programs for this demographic focus on retail, food service or other entry-level roles, the pilot program aims for something different. It offers opportunities inside a large corporate headquarters, giving participants an opportunity to envision long-term possibilities across a wide range of fields.

“This program is deeply personal to our family,” Helen Carona, executive vice president/chief corporate officer of Associa, said in a statement. “Through our own foster care and adoption journey, we have seen the extraordinary potential of young people who simply need someone to believe in them, guide them and open a door.”

Carona, who also is a longtime CASA advocate, added, “Our hope is that this pilot program helps these young adults see that their futures can extend far beyond the limitations others may have imagined for them.”

‘Investing in my potential’

Many young adults find that entering the workforce comes with challenges. For those aging out of foster care or exiting homelessness, the milestone often comes without family support systems, professional networks and career guidance. Associa’s program aims to “bridge that gap through mentorship, workplace exposure and practical experience,” the company said.

Associa developed the pilot program in partnership with Transition Resource Action Center (TRAC) Dallas, which supports young people transitioning from foster care into adulthood.

“Young adults leaving foster care deserve access to meaningful opportunities that help them build confidence, independence and a vision for their future,” said Nicole Binkley, chief executive officer of TRAC Dallas. “Associa’s pilot program offers an important example of how businesses can create practical, supportive pathways for disconnected youth while also strengthening the communities they serve.”

More than a hiring program, the pilot is intended as a practice model that could be replicated by other businesses that want to support disconnected or foster youth, Associa said.

Early participants described how the program fostered a hopeful view of the future.

“For the first time, I felt like people were investing in my potential, not just my past,” said Sabastain Saveca, an intern in the pilot program. “That made all the difference.”

Company growth and leaders’ legacy

With more than 340 branch offices across five countries and more than 23,000 employees serving 7.5 million residents, Associa said it aims to bring “trailblazing innovation” to community services management. In May, the company expanded its geographic footprint into Europe with the acquisition of Spain’s Mediterráneo Global.

Founded in 1979 by Chairman and CEO John Carona, husband of Helen Carona and a former Texas State Senator and Representative, Associa offers a wide array of services to HOAs and other community management organizations, including finance, governance, maintenance contracts and homeowner communication. John Carona was a finalist for Corporate Leader of the Year in Dallas Innovates and DCEO’s 2026 Innovation Awards.

In North Texas, the Caronas are known for their philanthropy. In recent years, the couple gave $5 million each to the new Dallas pediatric campus for Children’s Health, to Fair Park First for the Cotton Bowl renovation and to the Honors Residential College at Baylor University.

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