Our History

In 2014, the founder and director of Orchard Community, Michael Liaw, took in a high school graduate who was kicked out of his home after turning 18 and provided housing and life skills training for 9 months. Then Michael took in another high school graduate for 4 months and did the same. Michael helped the young men obtain employment, manage time and finances, navigate the kitchen, and mentored them through the emotional challenges of adulting. These experiences planted a seed for what has now sprouted as Orchard Community.

In 2020, a 5-bedroom property on Lanning Dr in Whittier, California, was purchased and dedicated to the vision and mission of Orchard Community. It was also when COVID19 shut down the world, so this was a season of making this house a home.

On January 1, 2022, 3 young men moved in and began their new lives together at Orchard and we had an open house in February to let our friends and community know that we were here. The stable housing has allowed each young men to pursue their educational aspirations, find employment, learn life skills such as meal planning and time management.

In 2023, we graduated our first group of three young adult men, who are now navigating their adulthood with the life skills they learned at Orchard. We built relationships with local organizations such as Rio Hondo College, Whittier College, Whittier Chamber of Commerce, Nehemiah House Los Angeles, Come To Him Ministries, Whittier Area Community Church, and many more.

As of February 2024, we have a whole new group of three young adult men, starting their journeys towards adulthood with us. Please sign up for our newsletters (archives here) and find us on social media for most up-to-date news, including open house fundraisers, potluck events, and vacancies.