10 years of caring for the caregivers with a monthly day off at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange

This past week, caregivers for approximately 125 children served by Santa Ana-based nonprofit Olive Crest and Orange County Social Services enjoyed a much-needed break, thanks to Caregivers’ Day Off.

St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange gathered approximately 150 volunteers from the community, who received training to care for the children at a Fall-festival themed event. From team sports like soccer, to face painting and bracelet making, the kids enjoyed engaging activities and came together for lunch before the day was over.

Saturday, October 19, marked the 10-year anniversary of this important program hosted by St. John’s for Olive Crest families and children served by Orange County Social Services. This is a monthly event created by St. John’s and supported by Olive Crest and Social Services.

Olive Crest is an Orange County-based nonprofit serving over 5,000 children and families in crisis daily across the Western U.S.

They offer comprehensive care for their approximately 130 Orange County-based kinship families caring for about 330 children through counseling, specialized classes, and essentially providing anything they may need to carry out their role.

It takes 150 community volunteers of all ages—some who once attended themselves while being raised by caregivers, now giving back because they’ve “been there”—to make this much-needed caregiver break possible.

Through it all, Olive Crest ensures that these volunteers understand trauma-informed support to ensure these children, who have faced personal crises in the past, feel loved, cared for and supported as they enjoy an afternoon away from their caregiver.

St. John’s Lutheran Church is a leader in supporting kinship families, partnering with Olive Crest to “allow the Church to be the church” and serve those in need.