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Hands of Love began in 1996 as a food distribution program putting together food baskets at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. The program collaborated with and was expanded by Orange County Worship Center as a community program. This expansion resulted in the involvement of schools, businesses, individuals and other community organizations.
The success of our programs depends directly on the volunteers and financial gifts of corporate donors and grants.
Hands of Love philosophy is: Not only is the food itself helpful but the hope and encouragement we bring to these families could be the answer to their deeper needs and it gives them hope for a better tomorrow.
Tony & Robyn Thompson, tthompson@ocwc.org
- Homeless Project": Aid the homeless with food, toiletries, blankets, and referrals for shelter.
- Easter Project": Support inner city families with Easter Baskets with food and candies for children.
- Kids Camp": Selected "At Risk Students" to camp for the weekend. The Program includes counseling, mentoring, transportation, food, accommodation, T-shirts and prizes. We started with 26 kids in 1996 and for the last 2 years we had 200 underprivileged children from single family homes with behavior problems from Santa Ana Unified School District undergo counseling in an effort to improve self-esteem.
- Back to School": Gift certificates to needy children for school uniforms. We also supply backpacks, and other school supplies. These children are strategically identified from inner city schools.
- Thanksgiving": Needy families with children are given food, blankets and gift certificates to purchase a turkey.
- Christmas": Gifts of toys, winter jackets and bags of food.
- Adopt a Social Worker": This program helps Social Workers to be more effective at helping families.
- Adopt a Family": We adopt families with 3 or more children to help them with food, clothes, utilities and school supplies and uniforms. These families need to be in some job training or temporary unemployment.
Services are no cost, by appointment only.
Spanish Spoken
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 2:00pm
 Kids Camp: Steve C., student from Madison School, attended out summer camp years ago. At that time, he had many problems with his mother in jail -- and no help from the father. He was living with his uncles and two other brothers and one sister. The principal of this school selected this student because he was in a home of very bad influence. his grades were poor and his classwork was continually behind.
When he attended the camp, he never expected to have a good time and feel so good with the counselor who helped him to understand how important it is to be educated and make a difference in his life.
When we came back from the camp, he invited his family to attend our meeting and to meet with his counselor. This counselor and Steve had a good friendship for many months. One day the mother was released from jail, and we had the opportunity to help her to start a new life.
Now Steve is a senior student and he came back to help us in the summer camp program. THe mother is working, and the brothers and sister attend our program - Adopt-A-Family. We are very proud of the change in Steve's life. It is one-by-one that we make the difference! |
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