Dear volunteers… from Shelby Bell and Team of the THRIVE Program THRIVE volunteers are intentional, dedicated, and sacrificial. Stepping into a relationship with our young adults is not always easy, but you all have jumped with two feet into the messiness of life with us. Thank you for being willing to not just dedicate your […]
On Sunday, Aug 17th we partnered with Hope International to challenge their new incoming students to do a serve day together. The new students were all put into groups of 20 and were introduced to dorm life, the cafeteria, the campus and church on Sunday. After lunch, we had the joy of leading them into […]
Hello, OC UNITED Family! You may not know me but I sure know you – it’s my job to “know” you. I am so incredibly grateful for all of you Well, here goes nothing. a little about me. My name is Brandon. Firstly, I’m the Marketing & Communication Manager at OC United – it’s a fancy […]
We sat together eating a feast and sharing our life stories. During which, she shared the trauma of her past. There was no shame in her voice nor was there a quiver in her lip. She experienced a pain unimaginable and had the resolution to be strong amidst the tragedy of a childhood lost to […]
You are welcome and you are worthy. What do you think of when you hear the word “Christmas”? Many people think of Christmas presents, trees, music, cookies, traditions, and celebrations. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for everyone. The Christmas season is painful, lonely, and shaming for many individuals who have experienced domestic abuse, homelessness, under-resourced […]
For many current and former foster youth, the holidays are not looked upon with joyful anticipation, but rather as a sad time of year that triggers traumatic memories of absence, loss, abandonment and abuse. A time of year that traditionally brings intact families together to shareGod’s blessings, kindness and love with one another may have little meaning to a foster youth who has not experienced the holidays this way, and instead senses a season filled with pain and hurt. Many youth wish simply for the season to pass quickly and their feelings of loss and sadness to diminish. Instead of dwelling on what might have been and longing for something more now, they would rather put it behind them and move on into the New Year.
She looked around the room in awe and said, “it’s perfect”. This past weekend we had the incredible privilege of hosting a wedding for two of our THRIVE participants. The bride grew up in the foster system, bouncing between multiple residential facilities never finding a place to call home or being a part of a […]