OCJ Kids’
Making an Impact, One Child at a Time
OCJ Kids measures how its programs and services are positively impacting the youth through Points of Impact (POl) or the number of times we connect with foster and at-risk children through resources, events, mentoring and more! This approach and impact ensures the creation of meaningful relationships and lifelong connections.
Impacting Our Community
Children removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or other safety concerns often face significant challenges, including limited access to essential resources, lack of support during transitions, and difficulty navigating independent living after aging out of the foster care system.
Ways the OCJ Kids are Involved
Emergency Removal Resources
In partnership with Department of Child Safety (DCS), OCJ Kids fills a gap in the underfunded system. Working with DCS, OCJ Kids provides resources statewide to kids upon removal from their home.
Group Home Support
When a child is removed from their home, they are placed in a foster home, kinship care, or a foster group home with other foster kids. OCJ Kids partners with 160 group homes across the state to provide programs and support so the youth have many of the same opportunities as non-foster youth.
Aged-Out Youth
OCJ Kids maintains relationships with youth after they exit foster care. OCJ Kids provides ongoing support and resources, including mentors to help them create a life plan, build communities of support, and provide other assistance so they can attain and excel in independent living.
Gary & Tammie Webb
A Letter from the Founder
In October 2005, I had a conversation with Andi McDowell, a staff member at a local foster group home, that would change the course of my life forever. Feeling prompted by God, I approached Andi and asked, “Who is helping these kids?”
She said: “They are the faceless generation. They are the forgotten ones. No one is helping them on their journey.”
These statements were a wake-up call. I felt compelled to act, asking, “What can I do? What can our church do?” My research into Arizona’s foster care system began immediately, revealing significant resource gaps. Starting with a Christmas event in 2005, Tammie and I began working tirelessly to partner with faith-based organizations and businesses to address these needs. My goal was to equip DCS case workers with essential resources when removing children from their homes and placing them in new foster or group homes. Beyond providing these resources, OCJ Kids began training and equipping caring adults to visit group homes, offering games, activities, and tutoring to build lasting relationships with the children and teens.
From the moment a child enters the system until they successfully transition into independent living, OCJ Kids is committed to supporting them with resources, programs, and caring adult mentors.