This year Olive Crest celebrates their 50-year anniversary. In 1973, Dr. Donald and Lois Verleur founded Olive Crest in Orange County. The Verleur’s recognized the problems of abuse and neglect in their community, and one day, they decided to do more to help.

Olive Crest began when the couple took in four teenage girls and quickly evolved into a vision of finding strong family for every child. Over the last 50 years, this vision has grown into something much larger, serving over 5,000 children and families every day.

Through programs that strengthen, equip, and restore children and families in crisis One Life at a Time®, Olive Crest is actively working to prevent child abuse. These programs have proven to be effective in stopping the cycle of abuse and neglect, as well as empowering strong families to become healthy and productive in their communities. Olive Crest is leading the charge in redefining the way that children in crisis are cared for and equipped for success.

Since its founding, Olive Crest has expanded from Orange County to the Inland Empire and Desert Communities in 1978, Los Angeles in 1988, Las Vegas in 1996, Washington State in 1999, San Diego in 2000, and Santa Barbra in 2022. Over the last 50 years Olive Crest has served over 200,000 children and families.

“With the Lord’s guidance and our faith, Olive Crest has continued to fight the good fight and run the good race. It is because of the people who have come alongside the children and families we serve that Olive Crest has a great legacy. It is our hope and prayer that we may continue to reach out to help children and families in crisis for 50 more years. So be it!”

–Dr. Don and Lois Verleur

To celebrate 50 years of transforming lives, Olive Crest is hosting a gala on February 25, 2023 at the Anaheim Hilton Hotel in Anaheim, California. Registration can be found at www.olivecrest.org/50thgala.