Diverting usable building materials (that would otherwise be sent to the landfill) to nonprofit agencies had long been the dream of the president of the local builders' exchange. When the Work Release Center vocational placement counselor met with the exchange president to discuss the possibility of exchange members hiring work-release inmates, discussion shifted to building materials. From this discussion arose the concept that produced the Orange County Community Distribution Center (OCCDC). A transition team that consisted of representatives from the public school system, corrections, and the builders' exchange president met for several months prior to opening a warehouse. An advisory council was created to provide guidance and assistance to the staff charged with the operations of the OCCDC. On September 25, 1993, the doors to the warehouse opened, with one full-time staff member and a few inmate workers. Classroom training began in mid- December 1993, with a State-certified instructor assigned. While being trained, the inmates provide the labor force to operate the OCCDC. There are now over 240 nonprofit agencies registered to receive materials. The OCCDC has averaged shipping approximately 32 tons of usable building material each month back into the community for worthy uses.