OCJ Kids

A look into the 'behind the scenes' world of OCJ Kids Summer Enrichment Program. This is how the aprons came out of the dryer!!

But, behind all of the knots, and twists and turns, are amazing learning moments and great memories for the foster youth we serve.

Thank you, Printed Mint, for donating aprons to OCJ Kids!

OCJ Kids Summer Enrichment Program - Week 5. We learned how to extract DNA from strawberries!

The most recent report from 2021 shows that an estimated 606,031 children passed through the US foster care system over the course of one year. Visit www.ocjkids.org to make an impact! #

HOME - OCJKIDS ALL WE SEE IS THEIR FUTURE. MAKE THEIR FUTURE BRIGHT ARIOZNA FOSTER CARE TAX CREDIT 2023individual donors may donate up to $526 joint filing donors may donate up to $1051 your donation may qualify for a dollar for dollar credit when filing your 2023 arizona state taxes GIVE NOW click here for detail...

What an amazing surprise from Sunland Asphalt & Construction, LLC! We received a visit from their Phoenix division, they toured our 4 warehouses and learned about the much-needed work in the foster care community.

At the end of their visit, they wanted to make a greater impact and join our cause.

Thank you so much to the employees at Sunland Asphalt for your generous gift through Sunland Cares!!

OCJ Kids Summer Enrichment Program - Week 5. Today we learned how to extract DNA from strawberries!

Huge THANK YOU to Closet Factory Designers ONLY! for donating 211 duffle/backpacks for our phase 1 aged out suitcases. Together we are changing the culture of foster care in AZ!

Shout Out to Radiant Church Kids for building over 100 Celebration Bags for kids in foster care!! In true Radiant form, it was a a crazy, loud, and exciting race to the finish! Amy Miller, you are amazing!

We're making a return! SAVE THE DATE for the 3rd Annual "As Good As Gold" Gala with OCJ Kids! 🎉

Get ready to be transported back to the roaring 20s with our Great Gatsby theme, and prepare for an unforgettable night. Immerse yourself in the glitz and glamour of Gatsby's world, but beyond the glimmering facade, we'll be highlighting the stark realities faced by kids in foster care.

Much like Gatsby's search for belonging and love, these children navigate their own challenges, yearning for stability and a place to call home.

✨Details and tickets coming soon!✨

Today we celebrated the launch of the Grand Champions program in St. Louis, MO. In partnership with OCJ Kids, Oasis is providing an opportunity for senior citizens to mentor foster teens 12-16.

The unexpected blessings of the Summer Enrichment Program. As we were picking up additional supplies for our event, a message came through from our staff. 'Are you in line yet? Can you find some size 9-10 shoes for a little boy at the office?' Challenge accepted! He was able to choose a pair of sandals and a pair of tennis shoes to replace the worn out shoes.

Follow up on the article: This is WHY resources, programs, events, mentorships, and volunteering with OCJ Kids are important. Everything we create FOSTERS a loving, family-like environment for our kids both in and out of group homes.

You can create a sustainable impact for foster kids: consider being a monthly supporter of $30 a month, or whatever you can give! https://ocjkids.org/donate/
(or give either $49 or $89 per month to maximize your AZ Tax Credit giving)

Or give with your time, like a couple of group home volunteers who brought the beach to their teen-girls! “We painted a beach scene and used the sides of our hands to create stamped “footprints” in the sand. The girls chilled to ocean wave sounds playing on a speaker. Kim heated up Hawaiian sweet rolls sliders filled with ham and melted cheese. We held a picnic on a blanket on the living room floor, with carrot cupcakes and Pringles cans for each girl. In closing, Kim passed around a bag of shells. Each girl chose one and shared a beach memory with the group.” -Andrea T

“52 group home contractors were awarded contracts this year, while 16 were not. That means 250 kids need to be transitioned out of group homes.”

This is why the work of OCJ Kids is instrumental to the foster care community, especially for kids living in group homes. While the best placement for kids is with their kinship families, it’s also crucial that they are placed with a properly-fitted foster family.

“Kids need a consistent and nurturing adult to form healthy attachments to aid in healthy development. "That consistent adult that typically comes in a family setting, doesn't come in an institution where you have staff who are rotating in and out”.”

"We have seen a steady decrease in the number of community foster families in Arizona since the pandemic.”

Advocates seek change as Arizona has highest percentage of young foster kids in group homes A report found institutional placements left foster kids without consistent, caring relationships with adults, and were experienced as 'prison-like and punitive.'

Here we go again!! Stretching the dollars given by our partners and increasing our impact to the foster children in Arizona!

While summer is just starting, OCJ Kids is preparing for back-to-school!
Help us get foster kids - living in state care - school ready with our celebration, Tools 4 Success.

How can you help?! ... Donations and volunteers help ensure every foster child starts the school year equipped and confident. Learn more today: https://ocjkids.org/tools-4-success/

OCJ Kids provides 600 packages of underwear to foster youth at Christmas, and more throughout the year with our emergency resources. So when we find $20 packages for $5 ..... No brainer!!! #

Week 1 of the Summer Enrichment Program at OCJ Kids is in the books! 📚
In just 6 hours, we engaged 81 kids with a hands-on STEM activity focused on electric motors and a visit to our library. A total of 282 books were handed out as part of our "check-out to keep" free library initiative. 📖
Our team members, Alarie and Tiffany, spent quality time reading with the kids in the library. One memorable moment was when Alarie's shirt sparked a conversation with a young boy, who proudly identified them as Hufflepuffs because they are "kind and sweet." 💛
Here's to a fantastic start and many more enriching weeks ahead!

Hip, hip, hooray - help us celebrate Alarie, and wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Meet our Aged-Out Specialist, Alarie! Alarie has a passion for our foster kids that are aging out of the system because there are too many kids leaving foster care with nothing. No one. No skills.

We can change that at OCJ Kids, and give understanding to our youth on what it means to be an adult!

Fun fact: Alarie is a Mountain Dew & energy drink loving mom of 2 boys!

Get ready! We're just one week away from kicking off our Summer Enrichment Program!

To celebrate, we're reintroducing our Staff Spotlight series to give you a peek into the wonderful individuals who make up the OCJ Kids team.

Meet Steven, our Events Director! He's passionate about organizing events that empower foster kids and teens, helping them discover their true selves and enjoy moments of pure joy.

Steven's favorite event/program is the Summer Enrichment Program. Before we had a library, Steven loaded his van with books and drove to group homes, and personally delivered books for our foster kids.

Fun fact about Steven: he can make a mouthwatering, delicious peach cobbler!

What sets OCJ Kids apart from other foster care organizations?

While many focus on serving foster children through kinship or adoptive families, OCJ Kids stands out through its robust partnership with Group Homes!

This unique collaboration enables us to reach and positively influence the lives of every child in foster care. Through a wide array of resources, tailored programs, and engaging events, including personalized in-home mentorship, we provide foster children with the opportunity to experience the joys of childhood.

SHOUT OUT to Wolf Security Specialists! Thank you for helping prep the supplies for our Summer Enrichment Program.

For 9 years, Pinnacle High School Key Club has hosted Days at the Park for OCJ Kids! Once a month, the student-led program connects with multiple group homes and engages our foster kids in various park activities.

They absolutely know how to create memorable memories for our kids and have fully funded activities. To name a few: jumping in a bounce house, grilling hot dogs, treats to freshly popped popcorn and ice-cold snow cones, face painting, and an Easter egg-hunt.

We are so proud of every student's involvement and effort to connect with our foster kids along the years. In fact, last year OCJ Kids nominated Key Club for a community award. The of Fundraising Professionals-Greater Arizona Chapter recognized them with the Outstanding Youth Fundraiser of the Year award at National Philanthropy Day!

While the number of kids in care has decreased and improved over the years, 10,000 kids in foster care is still a lot! That's 10,000 children who need our help, support, and love.

Thanks to our generous donors, community partners, and volunteers - we ARE able to do that! In our last fiscal year, OCJ Kids recorded a breaking record of over 54,000 points of impact.

That's the number of times we showed love to kids living in foster care. Let's continue spreading love and awareness for National Foster Care Month. Connect with OCJ Kids to learn more!

May is National Foster Care Month! 🎉

At OCJ Kids, we're all about celebrating the incredible work in the foster care community every day. Join us in raising awareness and spreading love for kids in care. Huge shout out to our partners at Department of Child Safety for their tireless efforts in keeping Arizona kids safe! 🙌💙

Turn Pages, Turn Lives Around!

Your love for reading can nurture a lifelong love for learning among foster children. Read with our kids, and spend time listening and learning about who they are!

Sign up and volunteer now!
https://rb.gy/8t3lxq

Yesterday, OCJ Kids beloved partner and friend, Mike Jones, finished his journey here on this earth. Mike was an incredible example of love and compassion for those around him and our hearts are grieving for his family and friends. Please keep his wife, Julie Jones, in your prayers. We are humbled and honored that Mike chose OCJ Kids to pour out love to Arizona's foster children and he will be greatly missed.

As April is coming to an end, so is National Volunteer Month.
However, you don't have to wait until next April to volunteer! OCJ Kids has opportunities year-round!

Would you like to work directly with foster kids? Have you had the interest to foster but can't commit to it?
Perhaps you would like an idea on what fostering looks like.

Check out our next training dates to volunteer and mentor in a group home!
Ask us for more information on how you or your group can get involved.

Flashback to your 18-year-old self, pondering life's big questions: Do I go to work or school? Who am I? Where do I see myself?

Now imagine facing those questions without guidance. That's the reality for many youths aging out of foster care.

Join our phone program as a mentor, where we provide 6 months of free cell service and YOU provide invaluable guidance. Add a training date to your calendar, and comment below for more info!

Let's make a lasting impact, one connection at a time!
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Sign up is open! We are looking for volunteers to help in the library and with our STEM session.
This is a great opportunity for business organizations to spend a day away from the office – and give back to a good cause!

Summer Enrichment Program is every Wednesday from May – July! Check our sign up link for more info:
https://rb.gy/8t3lxq