Orangewood Foundation

Orangewood Foundation

Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) are expected to find housing, get a job, research and enroll in post-secondary or vocational educational opportunities, take care of their basic needs, and function independently as an adult. Most youth face these tasks alone without much, if any, support from caring adults who have a genuine interest in their success. Orangewood Foundation offers innovative resources, support services, and programs across four service areas that align with evidence-based best practices in youth support services: (1) health and wellness, (2) housing, (3) life skills and employment, and (4) education. We use a low-barrier case management, care coordination model to connect youth with wrap-around services both within Orangewood and in the Orange County community through referrals to an expansive network of community partnerships, including local government agencies, other nonprofit service providers, and corporate partners. This model allows Orangewood to serve as a one-stop resource for transitional-age youth seeking to coordinate their care and service access. Case managers across Orangewood’s programs employ a trauma-informed approach to service delivery and use a variety of strategies, such as harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based, client centered support. Each youth who seeks Orangewood services comes with different experiences, needs, and goals. Our Youth Support Specialists meet youth where they are in their journeys by building trust-based relationships, assessing needs, and supporting youth in finding stability and achieving their goals. As a youth’s needs change, Youth Support Specialists guide them through Orangewood’s services and connect them to community resources as they work toward longer-term success.