Orange County Human Relations Council

Bringing diverse people together to create a more equitable future. We envision a world where belonging is co‑created and realized by all.

Our Story: What began as a pilot project in 1991, is now a highly sought‑after nonprofit committed to identifying and addressing our most critical human relations issues.

Today, Groundswell collaborates with schools, individuals, cities, businesses and foundations to give leaders of all ages the skills to address prejudice and misunderstanding with mutual respect. As community‑builders Bringing diverse people together to build a more f irst, we are the bridge from conflict to resolution, from exclusion to belonging, from intolerance to respect.

Our goal is simple: Make the world a better place to live, work or go to school. Our diverse offering of programs reaches tens of thousands of people every year. From developing today’s empathetic and effective leaders, to sharing the power of collaborative problem‑solving, Groundswell is here to help everyone use their unique voice for meaningful change.

Groundswell provides vital trainings, empowering tools, and support to equip leaders with the skills needed to excel in their roles and drive positive change in communities and organizations. This endeavor aims to reshape prevailing narratives by fostering diverse perspectives, inclusivity, and enlightened discourse in society.

The team at Groundswell, the new name of OC Human Relations Council, envisions a world where belonging is co-created and experienced by all. And we do that by bringing diverse people together to build a more equitable future. Systemic inequities lead to differences in understanding and experiences, and ultimately to conflict and hate, which further fuels systemic inequity.

Therefore, we:
• Bring people together
• Partner to prevent and respond to conflict and harm
• Provide training, tools and support for leaders
• Change the narratives

We aim for institutional change. Our work leads to changes in attitudes and behaviors, a reduction of hate activity and harmful conflict, and ultimately an increase in equitable outcome.

At Groundswell, we practice the following values that guide us in driving change:

• Everyone Can Lead - We challenge traditional views of leadership by supporting and encouraging all people, especially those at the margins, to lead positive change.
• Doing with, not doing to nor doing for - We aim to strengthen relationships, prevent harm, and promote healing through a restorative justice lens and the use of restorative practices.
• The Power of Relationships - We strive to work in partnership with others, show up authentically, and build trust in our interactions.
• Leading with Curiosity - We approach challenging issues with empathy and inquiry instead of blame or punishment, because everyone makes mistakes.
• Inherent Human Dignity - Everyone is in the circle of concern, and we are eager to engage with groups and individuals who honor human dignity.

Utilizing decades of human relations expertise, facilitation, conflict de-escalation and restorative practices, we support schools and youth, organizations and individuals in making meaningful change toward equity.

We started in Orange County, California in 1991 serving anyone residing in one of the 34 cities in the county.

While our offices are in Santa Ana, we provide services in the greater Orange County region including our neighbors in Riverside, San Diego and additional school districts in Northern California.

Groundswell is not just an organization, but a celebration of unity and mutual understanding. From developing empathetic leaders to unlocking collective problem-solving, Groundswell understands the profound power of compassion, collaboration and understanding. Let’s create positive change together. This can be done by creating a welcoming sense of belonging for everyone, as well as encouraging collaboration to address conflicts, minimize harm, and nurture a safer, harmonious community.

TBD