A HAVEN OF HOPE FOR TEENS
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Dear Friends of Hope Harbor,
Hope Harbor (formerly known as Laurel House) has been providing critical services to youth in crisis in Orange County since 1985. We are the only long-term, privately funded, preventative residential care program in all of California for teens who have a history of running away or are at risk of becoming homeless due to personal trauma or unresolved family issues within the home. With the increasing pressure teens experience driven by social media, mental health issues are unsurprisingly on the rise. Drugs, alcohol, and sexual exploration have become coping mechanisms. This is becoming an epidemic amongst our teen population.
The steadfast generosity of our donors and volunteers has fortified us to provide our unique and comprehensive services to teens in crisis. Our supporters are integral to ensuring that our teen boys and girls are living in a safe home environment with live-in house parents, individual and family counseling, crisis counseling, nutritious meals, academic support, tutoring, and life skills training with the goal of family reunification when possible. We see the teens in our program make huge strides in their education, often being the first in their family to attend college.
After 27 years as the House Mom for the Sea Glass Girls Home, Donna Giddings has made the heartfelt decision to embark on a well-deserved retirement, marking the end of a significant chapter in her journey of service and dedication to the teens and families that have been faithfully served at Hope Harbor. It is with gratitude that we reflect on the impact Donna and her husband, Steve, have made on the teens who have come through the doors of Hope Harbor.
On behalf of Donna and Steve Giddings of the Sea Glass Girls Home, Brandon and Jewel Towns of the Rip Tide Boys Home, and all the teens and families who have been served so well, I want to thank everyone who has supported Hope Harbor throughout the years. So many donors, funders, and volunteers have come alongside us to provide teens in crisis with hope and a new beginning.
We look ahead to see how the Lord will continue to use and guide our staff, the teens, and their families in this current year. Thank you for being a part of a positive and lifechanging experience for the teens we are blessed to serve at Hope Harbor.
With Gratitude,
Bryan Crain President and CEO
CAROL’S STORY
At 14 years old, Carol felt isolated from the world due to the strict rules that her parents enforced and struggled with the pressure of living up to the expectations that her high-achieving sister set. At school, Carol was suffering from constant bullying and teasing. To escape her thoughts of being unwanted, Carol began to smoke and selfharm. When that didn’t work, Carol attempted to take her life three different times.
Through a long-standing partnership with Tustin Unified School District, Carol and her mom were referred to the life-saving programs offered at Hope Harbor. In the 16 months that Carol lived at Hope Harbor–Sea Glass, she learned to understand her mom and others better, find ways to communicate, control her impulses, and stay calm in stressful situations. Through her counseling sessions, Carol learned to use her love of drawing to express her feelings and cope in a healthier way. Through healing and restoration, Carol found the love she wished for and it has changed her life.
LIAM’S STORY
At 12 years old, Liam lost hope in all areas of his life. He was running away from home, stealing money from his mom to buy alcohol and drugs, and was tempted to join a gang. “I was depressed and started to drink and use drugs to make myself feel better. Nothing worked, and I didn’t want to live anymore.”
Hope Harbor–Rip Tide brought healing and hope into Liam’s life. Liam worked on his mental health with a therapist, learned positive coping mechanisms to manage his anger, and restored his relationship with his mom. “I didn’t think that had a future. Now, I have a relationship with God and goals for my life.” Liam is grateful that he came to Hope Harbor and knows that he wouldn’t have changed if he didn’t. Getting to know his true self through Christ has been life-changing for him.
Mission:
Providing a home for teens in crisis, transforming lives, and strengthening families
Vision:
Hope Harbor’s vision is to provide at-risk teens comprehensive services that include homeless prevention, academic success and college readiness, drug and alcohol prevention, and mental health care to ensure long-term success.
FINANCIALS
We maintain our goal of helping homeless and at-risk teens by maximizing every dollar donated. Of every dollar given, 86 cents goes directly to helping teens in crisis.
This is confirmed through an annual independent financial audit review. Hope Harbor is 100% privately funded, with no government support.
We rely solely on the generosity of donors to sustain our life-transforming services.
2023 SUPPORTERS
2023 BY THE NUMBERS
2,834 total shelter nights
• 1,585 shelter nights for teen girls
• 1,249 shelter nights for teen boys
8,565 meals
2,946 rides to school, extracurricular activities, and wellness appointments
1,427 coaching sessions, counseling sessions, and crisis counseling sessions
25 teens served
Thank you to our 2022-2023 foundation, corporate, and church supporters for partnering with us to prevent teen homelessness. Because of you, we are able to change the lives of at-risk teens.
Albertsons Charitable Giving
Carl E. Wynn Foundation
Charter Oak Foundation
Cox Charities Fund
David R. Clare and Margaret C. Clare Fndn.
Decorative Arts Society
DevTo Support Foundation
Dhont Family Foundation
Fudge Family Foundation
George Hoag Family Foundation
Goldsmith Legacy Foundation
Goodwin Family Memorial Trust
Grace Helen Spearman Charitable Fndn.
Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian
In-N-Out Burger Foundation
Kroger Foods
Linden Family Foundation
McMillen Family Foundation
MUFG Union Bank Foundation
Murdy Foundation
Neal Revocable Living Trust
New Life Survivors Trust
O.L. Halsell Foundation
Red Hill Lutheran Church
Smart & Final Charitable Foundation
Stater Bros. Charities
The Bandai Foundation
The Crean Foundation
The Integration Works
The Roosters Foundation of OC
Tim Salmon Foundation
Trinity United Presbyterian Church
Tustin Area Woman’s Club
Yorba Linda Sunrise Rotary Club
• 13 girls
• 12 boys
141 additional family members served through family counseling, referrals, and reunification services
100% of teens received mental health services
100% of teens at Hope Harbor increased their GPA by an average of 1 point and recovered missing credits
HOW YOU CAN HELP
The young lives that have been changed and restored are made possible by your support and prayers. You have many options to make an impact!
WAYS TO GIVE FINANCIALLY
• Questions about donating? Contact Hope Harbor at info@hopeharbor.org
• Check — mail a check (payable to Hope Harbor) to 1 Hope Drive, Tustin, CA 92782
• Credit Card — go to our secure website at: www.hopeharbor.org/donate
• Planned Giving, Stock, Donor-Advised Funds, or Electronic Funds Transfer —
To learn more, contact Tara Booher, 714-441-8046
VOLUNTEER
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit www.hopeharbor.org/volunteer or call 714-441-8046.
SUBSCRIBE
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