Building belonging for youth aging out of foster care.
No one should step into adulthood alone. At The Village OC, we connect young adults with caring mentor families, trauma-informed support, and practical resources that help them thrive.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple: to ensure that young adults aging out of foster care have consistent relationships, trauma-informed care, and practical guidance as they step into adulthood.
We believe transformation happens through community. When youth know they are seen, chosen, and cared for, not out of obligation, but out of love, they can begin to imagine and build a different future.
The Need
Every year, youth in Orange County exit foster care without permanent families or a stable community. The statistics are sobering:
Incarceration
Approximately 25% of former foster youth become involved with the criminal justice system within two years of leaving care.
Nearly 1 in 5 face homelessness within four years of aging out of the foster care system.
Approximately 20% of former foster youth enroll in college. Fewer than 3% of these youth obtain a degree.
But with consistent relationships and access to healing support, those outcomes can change dramatically.
Our Approach
We believe God designed us for community. That’s why we build bridges of belonging through mentor families, workshops, trauma-informed healing, and shared gatherings where youth experience the joy of being chosen and loved.
Mentor Families
Families from the local church community commit to walking alongside a young adult for one year, providing encouragement, guidance, and emotional support. Each month, families and youth attend skills-based workshops together, learning side by side in areas such as budgeting, job readiness, and cooking.
Youth have access to group therapy and trauma-informed services, creating safe spaces for processing past experiences and building resilience. Mentor families are equipped with trauma-informed training, helping them understand and walk with their youth in healthy, supportive ways.
Shared meals, family nights, and ongoing connections where youth experience the joy of being part of something bigger—a true village.
For Mentor Families
You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to be present.
We provide orientation, trauma-informed training, ongoing support, and a community of other families walking this journey.
Mentor Families commit to:
- Walking with one young adult for 12 months.
- Check in weekly, whether it be through meals, phone calls, or shared activities.
- Attending monthly skills workshops with their youth.
- Being a steady presence and a voice of encouragement.
For Church & Community Partners
God calls the Church to be a family for the fatherless and a source of hope for the vulnerable. Through prayer, hospitality, and equipping mentor families, your church can become a living picture of God’s heart for belonging.
When your church says yes, youth don’t just gain resources; they receive relationships, a sense of belonging, and a safe place to heal.
Both churches and community groups play a vital role in building the “village.” Your community can:
- Host group gatherings or workshops.
- Sponsor a youth to receive monthly trauma-informed healing resources.
- Encourage members to serve as Mentor Families.
- Provide volunteers, meals, or resources for monthly workshops.
Dwelling at the Well
The Village OC’s Podcast
We believe there’s something sacred about sharing stories, and something healing about knowing you’re not the only one.
Dwelling at the Well is the storytelling arm of The Village OC. Through honest conversations with former foster youth, foster families, mentors, and advocates, we create space for these stories to be seen, heard, and held.
As you listen, may these voices remind you of God’s heart for family—a God who sees, who draws near, and who places the lonely in families.
Dwelling at the Well begins the conversation. The Village OC exists to live it out.
Impact & Stories
Although our work is just beginning, the vision is clear: young adults with consistent community and trauma-informed support are significantly more likely to complete their education, find stable employment, and thrive in adulthood.
As The Village OC grows, we’ll share stories of hope, healing, and transformation from youth, families, and partners who are rewriting what it means to age out of foster care in Orange County.
About Us
The Village OC grew out of a season where Ashley experienced the strength of her own “village.” Friends, family, and her church community surrounded her with prayer, encouragement, and tangible support during a time of need.
That story revealed God’s heart for belonging and became the inspiration for The Village OC. What began as one person’s experience is now a shared mission: ensuring that youth aging out of foster care receive the same kind of faithful and steady support.
When we walk together, no one has to step into adulthood alone.
Contact Us
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