Blog
Shop to Support Kids on a Mission!
Looking for a way to support the next generation of young leaders and entrepreneurs from throughout Orange County? The Kids on a Mission, OC Children’s Business Fair is just the spot! Please join us next Saturday, April 27th, for the Kids on a Mission, OC Children’s...
Honoring a Warrior for the Successful Education of Homeless Youth
Last Sunday, I had the incredible joy of witnessing our newest group of graduates from the Rescue Missions programs accept their diplomas and cross the stage, signifying a successful completion of their journey with us. But another highlight of our graduations...
Hope! Something to Celebrate and share this Easter
I have something uplifting to share with you! Each day as we work our way through the challenges of helping the homeless overcome the brokenness in their lives, we are also blessed by each step people take along the path to a new life. These "resurrection stories" of...
“How Did I Get Here?”: Debi’s Story
You might recognize Debi - I've shared about her before. The last time I shared about Debi, we saw her complete the job readiness workshop; another step forward on the Road to Success. But this isn't the same Debi that we first encountered. To better rejoice in her...
OCRM Chosen as OC Times Readers’ Choice Favorite Charity!
Recently, Orange County Rescue Mission was chosen by Times OC as the Readers’ Choice for Favorite Charity and Favorite Fun Run/Walk in Orange County! We are so overjoyed and thankful to be awarded this honor, and glad to hear that Orange County has as much fun each...
Serving the Homeless Community with Compassion and Excellence
I would like to introduce you to the Tustin Temporary Emergency Shelter (TTES). The primary motivation for TTES stems from a legal requirement that states that a city must provide the option of a bed to a homeless person, prior to enforcing any non-camping type laws....
How YOU Can Help Care For Homeless Teen Boys in Orange County!
I want to share with you an exciting project that is taking shape here at Orange County Rescue Mission! Several years ago, we took on Laurel House, a ministry for at-risk and homeless teen girls, and this ministry has seen tremendous success and made an incredible...
CFO Excellence!
On January 31, Orange County Business Journal hosted a Chief Financial Officer awards gala for outstanding performance as corporate stewards for the preceding fiscal year. I am pleased that our own CFO, Larry Gwilt, was among the five not-for-profit nominees. After...
Girl Power: Village of Hope Girl Scouts Doing Great Things!
This greatest season is upon us - Girl Scout cookie season! Here at Orange County Rescue Mission, we are so thankful for the wonderful partnership that has grown over the years with the Girl Scouts. Many of the young girls living here at the Village of Hope are...
A Love that Overcomes Racial Divides, and So Much More
Ricky and Lisa are like many people who come to Orange County Rescue Mission at their lowest point, looking for hope that something can change and fix the mess they are in. But often they do not realize what needs to change and how it can happen. Ricky knew that he...
The Power of Hope
The word "hope" was brought into our collective understanding as an organization many years ago when I first opened the House of Hope, a home for women and their children, 23 years ago. And hope has continued to be the essence of who we are and what we bring to...
Jesus Christ Is The Difference
Veteran suicide is an issue that continues to plague our nation. Men and women who have courageously served our country return from combat amidst heroes praise, only to find they must now deal with the horrors and tragedies they have faced with little to no resources...
Human Trafficking in Orange County: The Need for Strong Beginnings
I have shared recently a little bit about our new program, Strong Beginnings, which we launched last year to provide emergency shelter and additional support services to female victims of human trafficking in Orange County. Recently, the Orange County Register ran an...
Invitation to Apologetics: What Do I Do With My Doubts?
We have gifted speakers teach on tough topics at our Rescue Mission Apologetics class. For March, we welcome John Kalmikov! I invite you to listen to John as he gives his talk in response to the question, "What Do I Do With My Doubts?”. John received his MA in...
Thank You Primo Fitness!
At Orange County Rescue Mission, we offer comprehensive care and encourage our residents to make life change in all areas. Part of that life change is the opportunity to live healthier through access to healthcare, nutritious food, and exercise equipment. It has...
Sarah & Edgar’s Story: Finding Hope at Rock Bottom
When you are trapped in addiction, oftentimes it takes extreme circumstances to awaken you to the desperate and hopeless realities of your situation. It was only when they hit their absolute rock bottom that Sarah and Edgar finally admitted drugs were wrecking their...
OCRM Awarded 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator!
Orange County Rescue Mission has been awarded a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management and a proven commitment to accountability and transparency in our efforts to provide a hand-up to the Least, the Last, and the Lost of Orange County! I am...
Thank You Snooze An AM Eatery!
Last weekend, Orange County welcomed another Snooze an AM Eatery location to its restaurant scene! As part of their soft openings, Snooze has a tradition of choosing a nonprofit to highlight and benefit, giving them the opportunity to raise donations for the...
Amazing Grace in Impossible Circumstances
For so many, homelessness seems like an impossible reality until they are faced with impossible circumstances: a sudden loss of a loved one or a job, a growing mountain of debt that seems insurmountable, or an unforeseen crisis. This was how it was for Gina. There...
“You’re The One Who Made It”
Debi used to sit on a bench in Tustin, day after day, unable to see a way out of the hopelessness and homelessness she found herself in. She fell into a serious depression and became so ill that she couldn’t walk. When she finally entered the Village of Hope program...
Three Years in a Row!: OCRM Named One of Orange County’s Top Workplaces
For the third time in a row, Orange County Rescue Mission is honored to have been named as one of Orange County’s Top Workplaces of 2018 by the Orange County Register! Some of the criteria for the top ranked workplaces are a workplace that operates by strong values...
Jorge & Stephanie’s Story
All Jorge and Stephanie had ever known was a life of addiction, pain, and brokenness. From a young age, this is the world they were immersed in, the world that would shape their perspectives and decisions growing up and into adulthood. There are so many men and...
Real Solutions for Lasting Change
“Real Solutions for Lasting Change” is a bold statement, but it describes the conviction of how we serve the homeless in our community. I work strategically to make sure that there is value in all of our projects and initiatives. But becoming a grandfather to...
National Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Month; in Orange County
Human trafficking has become somewhat of a buzzword today and we hear about it regularly happening in other countries, which is appalling as it is. But it was a huge shock to me when I realized just how big of an issue human trafficking is right here in Orange...
A Blessed Holiday Season
Another holiday season has come and gone. But the impact of joyous holiday celebrations lasts well past the season for the homeless men, women and children at Orange County Rescue Mission. The experiences of holiday celebrations, and having a reason to celebrate, is...
Understanding Miracles
We have gifted speakers teach on tough topics at our Rescue Mission Apologetics class. For January, we welcome Claudia Kalmikov! I invite you to listen to Claudia as she gives her talk on the topic of "Understanding Miracles”. Claudia is a teacher and blogger with...
Three Generations, Restored: Angelina’s Story
Addiction and homelessness can easily become generational issues, passed down from parent to child in a vicious cycle of pain and hopelessness. As a child growing up with an addicted mother, Angelina didn’t have the kind of role model she needed to care for herself or...
Matching Grant Doubles Your Donation; Help Us Finish Strong in 2018!
Leading Orange County Rescue Mission is my life work. Pouring myself into an organization that serves the Least, the Last and the Lost with real solutions that bring lasting change is a challenge, and an amazing privilege. But this work is a partnership....
Giving Is Always In Season: Thank You Cardinale Way Hyundai!
Christmas time might be the season when giving is talked about most, but truly, giving is always in season! Earlier this year, our friends at Cardinale Way Hyundai in Corona helped the moms at our Corona Norco Rescue Mission campus gear up for the back-to-school...
Merry Christmas from Kids at Orange County Rescue Mission!
Sending out Christmas greetings is one of my favorite traditions. But no one says Merry Christmas like kids! Click the video above to hear in their own words, how Rescue Mission kids are enjoying a fun and joy filled Christmas, all thanks to our supporters! Because of...