Linnea entered the child welfare system as a teenager and bounced around to multiple foster homes. At 15, she enrolled in Olive Crest’s Independent Living Skills program. For the next several years, she continued to receive one on one mentor support from her case manager and faithfully attended weekly workshops. During that time, Linnea and her Olive Crest team worked on skills that were meaningful to her to learn. She learned to cook for herself, learned relational skills and how to initiate healthy communication with peers, as well as how to budget and track her finances. Linnea experienced stability, friendship, and emotional support because of her team at Olive Crest.

At the age of 20, Linnea experienced a terrible crisis. She woke up in the middle of the night to a house fire. She lost everything she owned, including her dog. Linnea didn’t have the safety net of family to reach out to in this time of need, so she immediately reached out to her Olive Crest case manager, who offered emotional support and helped her through the crisis. Linnea’s team provided care packages and access to a hotel stay while helping her find a new place to live. Eventually, she found an affordable apartment and avoided homelessness. Olive Crest assisted with the move in costs and helped furnish her new home, thank to generous supporters. A crisis that could have altered the trajectory of her life was averted because of the help she received through Olive Crest.

Linnea is now 22, married, and expecting a baby. She dreams of a bigger home to accommodate her growing family. She worked with her case manager to make a plan to save money and talk about what to look for in a home. Because of the support and skills she gained during her time at Olive Crest, Linnea and her husband saved enough money and just purchased their first home! They are thrilled to have a nursery for their daughter and a backyard to play in when she grows up.

By partnering with Olive Crest, you are changing the lives of the present and next generation of youth and families.