Home | Orangewood Foundation Annual Report

2022-2023

To strive for equity for our youth by valuing and supporting the life they envision.

Our Accomplishments

DOING MORE FOR ORANGE COUNTY'S YOUTH

Over the past year, young adults in our community have been confronted with an escalating homelessness crisis. Orangewood has responded as a leader and expert in supporting adolescents and young adults, especially those who have experienced foster care, by expanding our support to meet their growing needs.

When our youth are unhoused, they may not have the space to cook, store food, or shower. This leads them to the Resource Center for a hot meal or daily groceries, which is often a youth’s first experience with Orangewood. The Resource Center has seen a 133% increase in the number of youth seeking to meet their basic needs, and the kitchen has more than doubled the number of meals served.

To meet the growing and unique housing needs for young adults, we’ve expanded our housing options by adding more housing navigation support – we’ve placed 84 young adults in emergency housing, 42 in our own transitional housing units, and 161 in permanent housing. Plus we’ve provided homelessness prevention and emergency rental assistance.

Mental health services are crucial to helping young adults stay housed and heal from trauma. Through our Independent Living Workshops, our trauma-informed case management support, and therapy, they are developing skills in resilience, self-sufficiency, and connection. Plus, we have expanded the diversity of our mental health professionals specializing in the unique challenges facing young adults.

As young adults find housing stability, even more of them are pursuing their educational goals - this year we have provided more scholarships and grants than any other year in our history. And these funds aren’t just for tuition - 67% used their funds for basic needs and living expenses so they can focus on their studies rather than on survival.