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Discover Orangewood

For more than 40 years, Orangewood Foundation has championed the voices of young people from foster care, homelessness, and trafficking backgrounds. Today, we take one step closer to realizing our mission — and making our vision a reality.

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Orangewood Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We provide innovative services that uplift and empower young people who face challenges across Orange County. We are working towards a future where every young person thrives.

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Read the Orangewood Story

Every young person deserves to know what they’re capable of. But not every young person has the support system they need to discover what makes them strong. At Orangewood Foundation, we believe that every young person in Orange County has a dream for their life. And we’re dedicated to helping them make that dream a reality. Whether they need a safe place to live, a scholarship for college, or a box of groceries, we help young people because we believe in them today — and their potential for tomorrow.

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Our Mission & Vision for Young People in Orange County

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Our Mission: To strive for equity for young people by valuing and supporting the life they envision. This statement encompasses the one-on-one work we do to help young people achieve the goals they envision for themselves.

Our Vision: A community where every young person thrives. This is our long-term goal for young people in Orange County. We embody this goal every time we talk to a young person, a volunteer, a community member, and to each other.

Our timeline

1981

Envisioned by General William Lyon and Bill Steiner, Orangewood Children’s Home is established as a shelter for abused and neglected children in Orange County. It is the first public-private partnership of its kind. Orangewood raises more than $8 million through the generosity of Harry and Grace Steel Foundation, Junior League of Orange County, La Casa Children’s Assistance Support Auxiliary, and many other caring groups.

1985

The Orangewood Children’s Home (now called Orangewood Children & Family Center) is deeded to Orange County for ownership and operation. Orangewood Foundation is born from the needs of young people exiting the children’s home and grows to serve a larger community.

1986–2012

Orangewood Foundation focuses on the four foundations of a successful future: basic needs and support, transitional housing and support, life skills and employment, and education. It opens the Orangewood Resource Center (ORC), a thriving hub for young people and a springboard for Orangewood services. Orangewood also launches Rising Tide, which provides transitional housing for young adults who were formerly in foster care. Educational programs, including the Advanced Studies Fund and Guardian Scholars, are also launched during this time.

2013

After 10 years of research into improving high school graduation rates for young people in foster care, Orangewood opens the Samueli Academy Charter High School. The school is open to middle and high school students and offers priority enrollment to those from foster care. Without the support of Susan Samueli and Sandi Jackson, members of Orangewood’s Board of Directors, this innovative effort to prioritize student care would not be possible.

2015

Orangewood recognizes the growing problem of sex trafficking in Orange County. Aiming to support the 50%–80% of trafficking survivors who come from foster care, Orangewood announces a new transitional housing program called The Lighthouse that is funded by an anonymous supporter. The program uses a trauma-informed model to helps survivors leave the life and create healthy futures. Within this initiative, the Project Choice drop-in center is also launched, providing a safe space for survivors to reduce risk of sexually exploitative situations.

2017

Orangewood is selected to receive a five-year grant from the California Office of Emergency Services. With this financial support, the Foundation expands its outreach and services to young people ages 18–24 who are homeless. This effort includes expanding the Orangewood Resource Center by adding a full clothing closet, an onsite shower, a weekly therapist, and expanded classroom space, with more features on the way!

2018

Judge Maria Hernandez and the University of California Irvine create the Young Adult Court program. This initiative addresses underlying factors that lead to criminal records for young men. With case management and collaborative services from Orangewood Foundation, this program helps participants become eligible to potentially reduce or dismiss felony charges from their record.

2020

Orangewood establishes the Youth Connected Program, which provides an integrated continuum of services for young people from foster care, along with their caregivers. An on-campus dorm hall is created for program members who attend Samueli Academy. The dorm is one of three buildings comprising Phase 3 of the school campus. The additional buildings are a three-story Student Innovation Center and a classroom building for middle school students.

2022

Orangewood Foundation launches the Lyon Workforce Academy program, which empowers young people to maintain full-time employment as they address mental health concerns, trauma, homelessness, and substance use. Thanks to the generous donation from Lyon Living and the cooperation of corporate partners, young people are working in roles that will help them build the lives they envision for themselves.

2023

Orangewood Foundation expands housing services to provide resources for a variety of situations, including emergency housing, transitional housing, move-in assistance, and more. By expanding these services, Orangewood takes another step in supporting young people who are experiencing homelessness in Orange County.

Today

Orangewood Foundation has supported thousands young people since 1981. We’re looking forward to championing innovation and identifying new ways to help young people in Orange County achieve their greatest ambitions.

Our Values

Empathy

We Value Empathy

We are always there for young people. We encourage them to share their feelings with us.

Inclusion

We Value Inclusion

We value young people for who they are. We take pride in what they contribute to their futures.

Respect

We Value Respect

We encourage young people to be their authentic selves. No one ever has to change to deserve our support.

Trust

We Value Trust

Young people are safe with us. We will never force them to do things that make them uncomfortable.

Advocacy

We Value Advocacy

We always amplify the voices of young people. We will fight for the rights that they deserve.

Meet the Orangewood Team

Orangewood Foundation humbly employs community leaders who are dedicated to using their experience, talent, and skills to reshape supportive programs for young people in Orange County. Meet our team and learn more about our Board activity today!

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Life at Orangewood: Join Our Team!

We’re looking for people who are passionate about making a difference in Orange County. By joining our team, you become part of a vibrant community of leaders who believe in the potential of young people. Explore our open positions today!

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Want to Learn More? View Our Reports.

Annual Report

2023–2024 Orangewood Annual Report

We confronted the homelessness crisis and supported the needs of young people in our community.

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Financials

Orangewood Foundation Form 990

We publicly disclose financial documents for transparency as a nonprofit organization.

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Annual Report

2019–2020 Samueli Academy Annual Report

Samueli Academy ranked in the top 5% of United States high schools — and the majority of our seniors graduated.

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Support Our Mission

Donate today to help a young person start building their future.

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Resources For Young People

Need support? See which of our programs may be right for you.

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