The Hub OC & Friends Church

A Night to Remember

When our graduates walked the stage this fall, they did it under the roof of Friends Church Orange. That evening was made possible by The Hub OC, a partner whose heart beats in rhythm with ours.

"It was a rocking time," says Cameron Gehringer-Pate, Director of Development for The Hub OC. "You guys absolutely crushed it."

The Hub OC serves people experiencing homelessness and crisis across Orange. Its Hub Resource Center offers meals, showers, laundry, and mail services six days a week, with case management every afternoon.

One of Our First Calls

When The Hub OC's case workers meet someone ready for the next step, Grandma's House of Hope is often where they point.

"You guys are one of our first calls," Cameron says.

The reason goes deeper than programs.

"We want to serve people with dignity," he explains. "We want to give them the tools and watch them take those and really fly with them. We just see the work that you do with the same kind of heart."

The relationship runs both ways. While people wait for placement, The Hub OC can be a safe place to land: a hot meal, a shower, and a caring case worker in the meantime.

It's Always People

Ask Cameron what sets Grandma's House of Hope apart, and he doesn't hesitate.

"It's always people. Relationship is everything."

He points to staff who work in the homes alongside residents and sit with them through the hardest seasons of their lives.

"That, to me, is what sets you apart: the care your team provides."

He also noticed something else at graduation: joy.

"In this nonprofit world, it gets so easy to think the work is so dark," he says. "Anyone that does things with a sense of celebration and joy is such a gift to the county. And you guys do that well."

He's right. In our homes, every birthday, holiday, and move-in day is a reason to gather. When a participant moves into their permanent home, staff share a meal, help load the car, and settle them into their new place with hugs and happy tears. And because the journey doesn't end there, our Grandma's Family Tree alumni keep coming back.

"When someone gets into housing, the journey isn't over," Cameron says. "You still have to have community around them."

Opening the Doors

The Hub OC and Friends Church Orange work hand in hand, and sharing space is one of the ways they love their community.

"Space is a hard place to find," Cameron says. "If there are nonprofit groups trying to do amazing things, it's one of the gifts we can give."

When we asked about hosting our graduation, The Hub OC's CEO, Holiday Zimmerman, said yes right away. For Cameron, it was an easy call.

"By having community programs come in and exist in a church, you're using the church at its fullest capacity."

Our graduates felt that welcome. They were deeply moved as they crossed the stage, surrounded by the family that walked with them.

Better Together

Cameron sums up what Grandma's House of Hope does in a few simple words: we champion people for life change.

"When faith and philosophy actually meet, rubber meets the road," he says. "That's when real lives get changed."

To Cameron, Holiday, and everyone at The Hub OC and Friends Church Orange: thank you for opening your doors and your hearts. We're proud to call you family. Partnerships like this one remind us that no one heals alone.

Your gift helps keep our doors open, our homes full of celebration, and our graduates walking toward the life they've fought for. Give today and be the reason someone walks the stage next year.