We are honored to award Olive Crest as our Rylee + Cru Foundation Grant Recipient for the month of April. Their vision - “a strong family for every child” - is one that resonates deeply with us. Read on to learn more about the work they do to help prevent child abuse and strengthen families in our Q&A with Jamie Olson, Director of Development in San Diego, California.
Q&A
Q. Olive Crest’s vision is “A strong family for every child.” How do you define a “strong” family?
A. Olive Crest acknowledges the important role of family as a healing agent. We desire every child to have a safe, loving, stable family and we strengthen families by providing parent education, counseling, and support teams to keep families together.
Q. Can you tell us about your Strong Family initiative? How does this program help to support children and families during crisis?
A. We work hard to prevent child abuse and neglect before it occurs. Through Olive Crest’s Strong Families volunteer hosting program – the only one of its kind in Southern California – community volunteers are recruited, background checked and trained by Olive Crest to welcome children in crisis into their homes for 1-90 days. Parents retain all rights while we provide resources and support to address their crisis, end their isolation, and help them to gain stability. Children return home to stronger families and avoid the child welfare system and its challenging outcomes, including heightened risks of homelessness, incarceration, and even sex trafficking.
Q. How do children come into your care? How are host families chosen? How do you support family reunification?
A. It truly takes a village to raise a child. We work with hundreds of community partners – including hospitals, schools, and shelters – to build a referral network to raise awareness and care for families in crisis.
Our volunteer host families are amazing! There are hundreds of families – parents with children, empty nesters, roommates and singles – who agree to open their homes to kids in their time of greatest need. Most of our host families attend local churches who surround them with support as they welcome children into their home. Most often, our host families hear about us through church partners or other families who care for children through Olive Crest. All of our volunteers are background checked, vetted, trained and supported for the success of their family and the children and parents we serve.
The goal of our Strong Families short-term hosting program is to come around parents in their hour of greatest need, giving them the support necessary to gain stability and care for their children. With our help, 98% of children participating in this program are diverted from the child welfare system—improving outcomes across the spectrum.
Q. Since Olive Crest’s founding, what impact statistically have you made in achieving your mission to prevent child abuse and neglect?
A. Since Olive Crest was founded in 1973, we’ve had the honor of caring for 250,000 children and families across the Western United States. As we grow exponentially, we have an audacious goal to serve 1.2 million children and families by 2030.
Thanks to our amazing volunteers and partners:
- 5,000 children and families are served every day
- 432,411 safe nights were provided for children
- 99% of children found safety and stability
- 100% of children in our care are enrolled in school—some for the first time ever
Q. In what ways can individuals and communities get involved to support Olive Crest's mission?
A. When it comes to keeping children safe and loved, we like to say, “Everyone can do something. What’s your something?”
Whether by volunteering or opening your home, financially supporting safe nights, or helping us spread the word, it takes thousands of real people in our community to say “yes” to stepping in and caring for children. Many times, it just takes one safe, loving adult to change the course of a child’s life. And it always changes the adults in return.
To learn more or get involved, visit www.olivecrest.org, or find us on social media.
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We are proud to support organizations that are making a positive impact in the lives of children and families. Submit an application to recommend a 501(c)(3) non-profit making a difference in your community and each month we’ll select one to receive a $10,000 grant in your name.
Thank you for joining us in this important work.
