2024 Building Hope Abroad Service Trip 

At Peterson Builders, we believe in the power of giving back. Every year, just after Christmas, a group of dedicated volunteers embarks on a journey from Utah to Agua Prieta, Mexico, with a singular mission: to build homes for families in need. This year, 26 volunteers made the trip, bringing with them not just tools and materials, but also a deep commitment to serving others.

Through our foundation, Giving Hope Abroad, we aim to provide more than just shelter—we offer stability, security, and a renewed sense of hope. This year’s project was ambitious: over the course of six days, our team built an entire home for one family and completed a duplex for another. With split teams working simultaneously, the effort was both efficient and deeply rewarding. The local community plays a crucial role in this process, helping identify families most in need of a safe and secure home.

The owners of Peterson Builders, Ben and Jason, personally fund this initiative, inviting employees, family members, and other willing volunteers to join. Their unwavering support ensures that this tradition continues year after year, reinforcing the company’s belief that everyone deserves a home, and everyone deserves hope.

This mission traces its roots back to the winter of 2005, when Stuart & Carol Smith, a Utah home builder, partnered with another charitable organization to construct homes in Agua Prieta, Mexico. The experience was so profound that they decided to continue the effort on their own. In collaboration with the Smiles Abroad Foundation, Stuart & Carol have carried forward this mission, believing that while the tangible result is a home for a family in need, the true impact lies in the character built by those who participate. Their philosophy is simple yet powerful: We rise by lifting others. Their focus is to be an example of goodness, love, and making a positive impact in the lives of those they serve.

For those who participate, the experience is life-changing. Working side by side, volunteers forge deep connections—not just with each other, but with the families they are serving. The gratitude in the eyes of a family receiving their first safe and stable home is a reminder of why we do this work.

This annual trip is more than a construction project; it is a testament to the values that define Peterson Builders—integrity, generosity, and a commitment to making a difference. As we look ahead to future builds, we remain dedicated to spreading hope, one home at a time.