In this episode of Dwelling at the Well, we reflect on our experience at the Unstuck Conference in Orange County—a gathering of nonprofits, advocates, churches, and community leaders working toward better care for youth and families impacted by foster care.

We talk about the importance of collaboration and relational connection for those providing services to the foster care community, and why meaningful support is about more than simply offering resources. Together, we explore what it looks like to move from working in isolation to building a support network to make a greater impact within our community. 

Key topics covered include:

• The shift from siloed foster care efforts to community-wide collaboration

• The role of relationships over resources in supporting foster youth and families

• How different organizations and faith communities are creating innovative support models

• The importance of humility, recognizing limitations, and working collectively

• Specific connections made at the conference that will benefit the Village OC

• The vision for building an ecosystem of support through relational connections

• Practical steps for maintaining relationships and creating a broader support network

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction to Dwelling at the Well and today's focus on community collaboration

00:30 – Highlights from the Unstuck Conference and its importance for foster care work

01:51 – The significance of relationships over resources in supporting foster youth

03:14 – Why attending the conference was meaningful for Ashley and the Village OC

04:36 – The nonprofit’s mission to support aging-out foster youth relationally

06:41 – The humility of foster care organizations working together for a common goal

07:52 – Building a support network through connection and collaboration

09:02 – New partnerships with community organizations and agencies

10:05 – The excitement of turning conference insights into actionable steps

11:34 – Clarifying the role of Village OC in case management and resource ecosystems

12:56 – The importance of relationships over outdated directories of resources

14:42 – How faith and community are guiding foster care initiatives

16:10 – Stories of innovative programs shared at the conference

17:28 – The power of community-led support models to reduce homelessness and increase stability

20:14 – Practical steps for sustaining collaboration and connection beyond the conference

21:35 – The call for listeners to use their gifts in their own spheres of influence

22:17 – The vision for Village OC’s future collaborations and impact

23:46 – Reflection on how the conference reaffirms the nonprofit’s mission and direction.

Resources & Links:

• More than Enough — Jason Weber's organization for fostering community collaboration

Connect with Ashley & Rebecca

• The Village OC⁠ — Support organization for foster youth aging out of care

• ⁠Instagram: thevillage.oc⁠ — Follow for updates and stories