Blog
Double Your Giving Tuesday Donation
Today is Giving Tuesday. And, thanks to a $50,000 matching gift, your Giving Tuesday donation will be doubled if you give to Orange County Rescue Mission! Your Giving Tuesday donation will provide two times the meals for homeless men, women, children and veterans, and...
Happy Thanksgiving, from Jim and the Palmer Women.
Gathering together for a meal is a meaningful activity in the Christian life. Throughout scripture, we read of Jesus sitting at the table with His disciples sharing a meal together, and how the disciples met together daily, as "they ate together with glad and sincere...
Veterans Given a Dinner in their Honor
On Veterans Day earlier this month we held the 2nd Annual OC Veterans Dinner. At the heart of this event is the desire to give honor to our veterans living in Orange County. To help me do this, numerous people gave to sponsor the cost of a delicious dinner and program...
Laurel House “Dad” Awarded Veteran of the Year
It is such a proud moment for me when one of our staff is recognized by the community for their achievements and character. This year, Steve Giddings, who has served as the "house dad" at Laurel House for 23 years was awarded Assembly District 68 Veteran of the Year...
Fernando’s Story of Restoration
One of the ongoing concerns in communities with growing homeless populations is how to respond to people who are "on the streets". It has become common knowledge that many people choose to be on the streets, as in a lifestyle choice. But this actually is not the norm...
Turkey Trot OC 5K is a Favorite Tradition – Join Us!
Going on six years now, our Orange County Rescue Mission team has hosted hundreds of individuals and families of all ages and athletic abilities for Turkey Trot OC 5K. The Orange County community is finding that it is a great way to start their Thanksgiving Day, and...
Navy Veteran & Rescue Mission Valedictorian Declares, “I have been set free!”
At the recent Orange County Rescue Mission Graduation I had the honor of inviting US Navy Veteran and Rescue Mission Valedictorian, Tony Oliveri, to speak to the audience. But Tony did so much more than share his story. He spoke with the insight and passion of someone...
Invitation to Apologetics: Why Jesus is the Only Way
Join us at Village of Hope on Monday, November 11 at 6:30 pm to hear from Kevin Lewis, JD, as he teaches on this important subject matter. You are encourage to attend, even if you are skeptical! The event is free to the public. Please, invite others! Village of Hope...
Business Owner & Volunteer, Peter Brakke, is Featured in OC Family
I love to see our volunteers be recognized for their contributions to our community. OC Family, a publication of the Orange County Register, featured Peter Brakke because he also passes on the values of gratitude and volunteerism to his family. Thank you, Peter, for...
Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson’s Commencement Speech Encourages the Crowd at Graduation
We celebrated and honored the hard work of several individuals and families at another Orange County Rescue Graduation ceremony, on October 20, 2019. It was one of our largest graduating groups to date! I am so pleased to see more and more people continuing to choose...
CalCPA Luncheon Invitation-Homlessness & the Working Poor
I am looking forward to the opportunity to speak at the CalCPA Luncheon on Wednesday, November 13, alongside Senator John Moorlach and Sheriff Don Barnes regarding this important topic. CalCPA recognizes how the concerns of homelessness and poverty affect all of us in...
Here’s a Unique Shopping Experience!
I think shopping at the Children's Business Fair has to be the most enjoyable shopping experience, because it's all about helping children to develop business skills, and also basic life skills they can use no matter their future career! And, they can actually earn a...
Your Kids Can Be Entrepreneurs!
Twice each year, Orange County Rescue Mission and the Lincoln Club of Orange County host and sponsor an opportunity for kids to develop business skills and put them into practice at a business fair. This is an amazing opportunity for kids ages 6 to 14! Your kids can...
Volunteer Spotlight: Dr. Albert & Yvonne Tjan
I would like to introduce you to other Orange County Rescue Mission Superheroes: Dr. & Mrs. Albert & Yvonne Tjan! Dr. & Mrs. Albert & Yvonne Tjan were serving Tustin Veterans Outpost long before the first veteran moved in. They were active in providing...
Join Us for a Veterans Day Dinner!
Serving homeless veterans is especially important to me. Building the Tustin Veterans Outpost, in partnership with the City of Tustin, American Legion Post 227, and many other dedicated individuals, has been a highlight in my career. With the award-winning programs...
Welcome Rock & Brews; another Veteran Supporting Business
Rock and Brews just opened their newest franchise restaurant in the heart of Tustin. Operators Anthony & Missy Games are promoting a family-friendly restaurant. The restaurant, just opened recently, is already drawing crowds. But I especially appreciate their...
Thuy’s Story of Restoration
Thuy is thankful to have her family back. “Getting clean and sober means nothing if they’re not in my life,” she says. “But they are. Our relationship is restored, and we’re making up for lost time.” Thuy is learning what it means to be a mom — a good mom — to her...
Invitation to Apologetics: Inspire Your Work
Join us at Village of Hope on Monday, October 14 from 6:30pm-8:00pm. This month we will learn from Richard S. Park of Vanguard University and The Renaissance Group. Richard is passionate about "helping people cultivate excellence in character, craft and calling". Come...
Learn About Private Equity, and Support the Rescue Mission!
I want to thank our friend , Adam Coffey, for supporting Orange County Rescue Mission. For every purchase of his book, "The Private Equity Playbook", he is donating 50% of his author royalties to us! As President and CEO of CoolSys, Inc., Adam's expertise in growing a...
Volunteer Spotlight: Dr. Melany Meier
I would like to introduce you to another Orange County Rescue Mission Superhero: Dr. Melany Meier! Dr. Meier has volunteered as the lead doctor of the Hurtt Family Health Clinic's Chiropractic Clinic, which is on-site at the Village of Hope, since 2010. In order...
Rescue Mission Mentors: the Friends that Give
The mentors that I have had in my life, some going back to when I was a teen, have made an invaluable impact in shaping my character. I am so grateful to them. And the men and women that we serve at Orange County Rescue Mission need mentors like this: friends who will...
Easy Way to Help Homeless Teens!
You might be familiar with our partner organization, Laurel House, a shelter home for at-risk, runaway, and homeless teen girls in our community. And, I have exciting news! With the help of our friend, Peter Brakke, of the Chick-fil-A in the District at Tustin Legacy,...
Laurel House Girls Go To Teen Entrepreneur Camp!
Three of the teens that live at our Laurel House home for at-risk and homeless teen girls had the opportunity to attend camp this summer. But not just any camp – a week-long intensive training camp that teaches high school students real-world...
“Shelter for the Soul”
I resonated with Sarah Lee's article, "Shelter for the Soul", featured in World Magazine on August 3, 2019. Lee spent several months with the homeless people of Los Angeles' Skid Row, just listening and getting their perspective on the issue of homelessness. What Lee...
Thankful for Work!
I like to work, and I am thankful that I have work that brings a sense of purpose to my life. We pass on the value of a good work ethic to every homeless person that is part of a Rescue Mission program. And that is why each quarter we take another group of residents...
Dressed for Success, Thanks to Friar Tux!
Thank you, Mike Meskell and Friar Tux, for helping the men of the Village of Hope be dressed for success! Mike Meskell is the professional mentor of one of our residents here at the Village of Hope, as well as owner of several Friar Tux locations. Friar...
A Life Forever Changed Through Kindness: Laurel’s Story
Your generosity provided a refuge for Laurel and her daughter when there was no other place to turn. I like to share stories with you not to dwell on the sadness of the tragedy and pain these men and women have been through, but instead to encourage you that your...
Jim Palmer on the Larry Elder Radio Show
Recently, I had the opportunity to be a guest on the Larry Elder Radio Show to talk a little bit more about the issue of homelessness, as well as what we as a community can do to address it. I am always glad to help spread more awareness on an issue that continues to...
Tiffany’s New Way of Life
Nestled in the streets of Old Towne Orange sits a large, beautiful, craftsman-style home that otherwise seems a little out of place amidst the neighborhood’s duplex units and crowded residential streets. From the street, you might never know that within this...
Merry Christmas – in July!
For seven years running, Orange County Rescue Mission’s Village of Hope campus has been transformed into a Christmas-themed celebration – in July! This wonderful event is not only a great way for the community to contribute to caring for the Least, the Last, and...