For the second year in a row, America’s Christian Credit Union (ACCU) partnered with Olive Crest to help bring awareness to the foster care crisis in Los Angeles County, with approximately 35,000 children in the system which represents the largest number of any county in the U.S.
During Olive Crest’s Pastors’ Luncheon, ACCU staff joined forces with the Olive Crest leadership team at the Dream Center campus to rally over 300 local pastors and leaders to participate in the effort to positively change the tide of the foster care challenge in L.A. The event focused on equipping pastors to bring awareness to their congregations about the growing foster crisis, and challenge their congregants to promote the adoption of children from within the foster care system. The event was kicked off by Jaime Zavala, Executive Director of Olive Crest-LA. Zavala praised the audience of pastors in attendance, and urged pastors to abstain from trying to tackle the whole crisis on their own, suggesting instead that everyone “just do something.” Attendees also heard from a panel of current foster families, outlining the reality and rewards of saying “yes” to foster parenting.
In his urgent call to action, Guest Speaker and Life Without Limbs President and Founder Nick Vujicic inspired and challenged attending pastors and leaders to come together in unity around the needs of the most vulnerable, fulfilling God’s promise to “set the lonely in families.” Representatives from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Department of Children and Family Services were in awe of the responsiveness at the event, exclaiming, “We’ve not seen anything like it in 30 years!”
In his expression of thanks, Zavala presented a beautiful “Thank You” plaque to ACCU, acknowledging appreciation for the credit union’s support. Receiving the plaque on behalf of ACCU, Board Member Lisa Penberthy remarked, “ACCU is here to help. We know there is a need for adoption in the greater LA area, and we make it a priority to help build stronger families."