Dwelling at the Well

The Village OC recently marked one year since officially incorporating as a nonprofit. In this short reflection, Ashley looks back on a year of building, discerning, and laying a foundation, and looks ahead to a new season of relationship and community with young adults aging out of foster care.

She closes with On Being a Well by Macrina Wiederkehr, a reflection on the life-giving people and places we encounter, and an invitation to become a well for others.

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

In this episode, we’re joined by Lisa, who served as a CASA volunteer (Court Appointed Special Advocate), walking closely alongside youth in foster care.

As we begin to widen the lens of these conversations, we step into a perspective shaped by presence, advocacy, and relationship.

Lisa shares what she witnessed within the system, what stayed with her, and what it reveals about the importance of having someone who shows up—and continues to stay—as young people navigate the transition into adulthood.

In this episode, Michelle invites us into her foster care journey: three placements, unexpected detours, deep grief, and a faith that has carried her through every season. Her story is a powerful reminder of what it means to love with open hands.

When his mother’s illness led to foster care, Father Craig found himself navigating loss, change, and ultimately, grace. Supported by his family, church, and friends, his journey led him toward ministry and reconciliation—a reminder that even in hardship, God is always working towards healing and redemption. 

Whitney’s story is one of resilience amidst the instability of foster care and her experience of adoption. In this episode, she shares how she’s learning to heal, what “choosing” family looks like, and how she’s holding onto hope for creating the safe home she once longed for. 

When Ruth was just a baby, she and her siblings entered foster care. Later adopted by her foster family, she carried invisible questions with her for decades—Where do I belong? Am I enough? This conversation is about the courage to face the past, the slow work of healing, and the strength it takes to keep going.

David, a former foster youth who was adopted at a young age, speaks about his journey of discovering his true worth and belonging. It's not about having the perfect family, but about being seen, accepted, and chosen in love. His story is a powerful reminder that healing happens through relationship, and that we all have the ability to create spaces where others feel valued and loved.

Tina didn’t set out to become a foster parent, but when the call came, she stepped up. Twice. In this episode, she shares how she and her husband became guardians to Audrey, then later welcomed Sophie into their home, navigating each journey with honesty, struggle, and hope. Her story is a testament to what can unfold when we step into the unknown with love.

In our first episode, we sit down with Monica, a former foster youth, whose story is both powerful and tender. She shares what it was like growing up, the challenges she faced, and the hope she now carries.

We hope you enjoy our first episode here at Dwelling at the Well!