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About Hope Harbor

Providing an anchor of hope for teens and families in crisis.

HISTORY & MISSION

Hope Harbor, formerly known as Laurel House, was founded in 1985 by two women who were distraught at the sight of teenagers living on the streets of Orange County, California.  Hope Harbor began as an emergency crisis shelter for teen runaways. Through the years, Hope Harbor has evolved into a unique, preventive-care program providing temporary housing (12-18 months), mental health care, academic support, and all basic necessities to at-risk, homeless, or runaway teens in Orange County. More than just temporary relief, Hope Harbor not only stabilizes these teens but brings restoration to the entire family unit before their teen ends up on the streets or becomes a ward of the court system.

In 2019, due to the growing need, Hope Harbor opened Rip Tide, a second shelter home for at-risk, runaway, and homeless teen boys. Following the same successful model of the Girls Home, Rip Tide doubles our impact in the community.

Our mission is providing a home for teens in crisis, transforming lives, and strengthening families.

Our goal is to prevent homelessness for at-risk teens by reunifying them with their families or moving them into positive living situations.

Hope Harbor is the only long-term youth shelter program for at-risk teens in Orange County. Hope Harbor is also the only program that provides live-in House Parents in a family-like, home environment.

Join us in keeping teens off the streets and safe from human trafficking, gang involvement, and a life of drug and alcohol dependency.

Laurel House is now
Hope Harbor

Since 1985, we have worked tirelessly to keep at-risk teens safe and off the streets. As we prepared to open a second shelter home for teen boys, it was time to re-think the name and our branding to reflect a program that will serve both at-risk teen girls and boys. We also wanted to continue giving homage to the founders who instilled faith, hope and love into the organization and the program. With the new name of Hope Harbor, we are embracing who we have always been: an anchor of hope for teens in crisis. Our mission remains focused on providing a home for teens in crisis, transforming lives, and strengthening families. We thank you for your continued support during this transition as we serve twice as many at-risk teens in our community.

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OUR PROGRAMS

Sea Glass Girls Home

Hope Harbor Sea Glass is an award-winning, family-centered, six-bed home, nestled in a cozy, residential neighborhood. The home serves teen girls, ages 12-17, who are at risk of running away, homelessness, criminalization, or human trafficking.

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Rip Tide Boys Home

Hope Harbor Rip Tide is an exciting, new, family-centered, six-bed home, located in a beautiful, residential neighborhood for teen boys, ages 12-17, who are at risk of running away, homelessness, criminalization, or human trafficking.

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SEA GLASS GIRLS HOUSE PARENT AND LICENSED ADMINISTRATOR

Donna Giddings

Donna Giddings has been the live-in House Mom of Sea Glass Girls Home with her husband, Steve, since 1997. Steve works for the city of Tustin and Donna is the State Licensed Administrator of Hope Harbor. A former teacher and youth leader, Donna has worked with at-risk teens for more than 25 years.

RIP TIDE BOYS HOME

Brandon Towns

Brandon Towns is our new live-in House Dad for the Rip Tide Boys Home and lives there with his wife, Jewel Nelson. Jewel comes with 8 years of experience working in social services and is pursuing her Master of Social Work at Arizona State University. Brandon continues to serve as a young adult pastor, shepherding at-risk youth while he pursues his Biblical Theology and Business degree. He will use his experiences and faith to champion the lives of the boys.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mr. Bart Hansen
Mr. Mark Conzelman
Mr. Chris Ferebee
Dr. Steven Callahan
Dr. Ralph Duff
Dr. William Guard
Ms. Jackie Nowlin
Mr. Joe Oltmans
Dr. Jim Palmer
ANNUAL REPORTS & FINANCIALS

Hope Harbor is committed to helping teens in crisis by maximizing every dollar invested into our program. To maintain our core values, Hope Harbor operates debt-free and is 100% privately funded with no government funding. We are governed by an independent Board of Directors. We are also a member in good standing of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).

Annual Report

View file
2022

990 form

View file
2020

Audited Financials

View file
2021

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