“Get the [expletive deleted] away from us! You’re so [expletive deleted] weird! We don’t want you here!” We could hear the heckles of preteens from outside of our window. Children cussing in the neighborhood isn’t something new, but hearing aggressive language aimed directly at one person is unexpected. We look down from our patio and […]
Little did I know that when I was given an article from Leadership Journal it would change the trajectory of my life and ministry. The article was titled: If Your Church Vanished, Would Your Community Weep? Would Anyone Notice? Would Anyone Care? Yep. It rocked my world and I knew things had to change. At […]
One of the great joys of my job is to equip teachers and school administrators about the need to create safe and accessible classrooms and school settings for their most vulnerable students. I’ve been able to present workshops about how to build Trauma-Informed Classrooms for many local educators in the last 9 months and it […]
In Romans 15:13, the Apostle Paul explains how God sources hope into our hearts, which fills us with peace and joy as we trust in Him while waiting for Him to make our dreams happen. God then gives us power to overflow this same hope to others. Franklin Garcia is the pastor of Calvary Chapel […]
“Counting the Costs . . . The ULTIMATE Return on Investment” Stepping out of adolescence into young adulthood brings about its own set of challenges, fears and frustrations, even for the most stable of youth coming from supportive, healthy and intact families. When youth are displaced from family and the effects of trauma experienced from abuse […]
Everything was ruined. Twice a month, Pastor Garret brings a group of teens from the Placentia Presbyterian Church to OC United where I get to teach them about relationships, abuse, and healing. This past week, we gathered to make valentines specifically for women in the Sheepfold Shelter for Women and Children. We talked about how […]
It sounds weird right? With a name like “Jobs for Life,” it’s obvious what we’re hoping to accomplish as we take our students through the powerful eight-week curriculum journey. We assume that after the classwork is complete our students will begin looking for employment, ready to put what they’ve learned into practice. Halfway through our […]
“We launched our second cycle of Jobs for Life(JfL) classes January 23 at Orange County’s homeless shelter, Bridges at Kraemer Place. We had a great opening night with 14 students and as many JfL volunteers, most serving as champions (mentors). Our hearts were moved by the eagerness and determination evident throughout the class and we […]
When a child from hard places begins blessing others, restoration has begun for the whole community. In our neighborhoods initiative, we all thrive when there is a two-way stream of giving and receiving. Here’s one story of restoration. Andrew was nominated for Valencia Park Elementary’s (VP) mentoring program where he met Gaby, our director. As […]
About fifteen women gather each week during the evening in a secure location to learn, grieve, heal, and encourage one another. The women are able to meet through the efforts and partnership of OC United and the Fullerton Police Department. This group is the first of its kind, and began meeting in September 2016. While […]