It has been a little over a year since the launch of OC United. As we look back, we are humbled and amazed at what God has accomplished for His kingdom. The following are a few highlights:
- God gave us the perfect office location off Commonwealth in Fullerton providing an inviting and convenient location for ministry to the community. Three local church plants also use our offices on a consistent basis after hours.
- Our website has served us well but we have outgrown it. The latest version will be released in July.
Unite for Cities
- Love Fullerton has spread to six surrounding cities, mobilizing over 6500 volunteers, over 100 churches, city governments, schools and local businesses.
- We’ll unite again next year on April 29, 2017 and expand to Riverside, Orange and Los Alamitos.
- We are empowering Neighborhood Connectors to help facilitate four seasonal gatherings to build community and relationships with neighbors on their block.
Unite Against Domestic Abuse
- Donna Mroz is hosting eight weekly classes for women and teens coming out of abusive relationships.
- A teaching curriculum was developed and is being tested in order to empower new facilitators.
- Donna’s book, Overcoming Domestic Violence, is currently in process of being translated into Spanish.
Unite for Valencia Park
- 20 kids mentored through school-based mentoring program.
- Our 4th annual SolFul is in full swing with 80 students from Valencia Park Elementary.
- A young couple has moved into the Valencia Park neighborhood as local missionaries.
- The United Kids after-school is set to launch this fall for 40 students at VP Elementary.
Unite for the Homelessness
- We continued to partner with Acts of Kindness, Coast to Coast, Fullerton ACT and Scent of Water by sending volunteers to join their programs.
- With the coming of the 24/7 Shelter in Anaheim, we plan to partner with the agency that gets awarded the contract and help mobilize the faith community to greater engagement.
Unite for Foster Care
- We have provided support to families in the system by providing beds, cribs, baby items, over 6500 diapers, 24 Christmas trees with decorations, and Christmas gift cards. We have also provided 90 birthday gifts and 45 bikes to teens in teen court.
- Several families have become licensed foster families. We launched two support groups and hosted trainings.
- Our Emancipated Foster Youth program will launch in the fall, providing wrap-around support to 18–24 year olds. God provided a business that is purchasing a house for us to use rent-free to provide housing to our youth!
God is at work!! We would love have you join us on this journey. Come and visit us on the plaza this Sunday, visit our website at www.ocunited.org, or email info@ocunited.org.
Jay Williams, Executive Director
Amy Gaw, Director of Unite for Foster Care
Donna Mroz, Director of Unite Against Domestic Abuse
Donna Whitman, Unite for Neighborhoods