Orchard Community

05/28/2026

Hello Friends,

We say it a lot, but it bears repeating: we can’t do our work without you, our community partners, who give of your time, talent, and treasures.

Recently, Nick and I went to the networking event, Wake Up Whittier, where we met Chase from a local State Farms office, who then visited us to explain the ins and outs of auto insurance, which isn’t the most thrilling topic but indispensable knowledge for living in Southern California.

Also, our dear friends from referred us to a young man who recently graduated from a Fire Academy and entered the firefighting workforce, who met up with Nick to share tips from the mistakes and successes of his own journey to help Nick succeed in his.

Lastly, our new friends from generously donated prescription glasses and work clothes to help one of our guys drive safely at night and dress for the workplace.

We are truly humbled and grateful for our community’s generosity. If you would like to give, one time or as a recurring donor, please visit our website. Help us empower housing-insecure young adult men to acquire last life skills towards adulthood.

Thank you! and God bless you,
Michael Liaw.

05/21/2026

Hello Friends,

The Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the world’s longest studies of adult life following the lives of participants and their offspring for over 80 years, has concluded that the quality and frequency of social connection is a determinant of a long, healthy life, more than any other variable.

“Loneliness kills,” says Robert Waldinger, director of the study, a psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital, and a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. “The surprising finding is that our relationships and how happy we are in our relationships has a powerful influence on our health,” (Waldinger, 2015).

Community heals. Here at Orchard Community, we seek to provide meaningful connections, both formally and informally:

•Monthly, 1-on-1 hang outs with me.

•Monthly, group hang out for skills and relationships building.

•Invitations to activities and events with my personal communities (church, family dinners).

•Invitations to activities and events my professional communities (networking, job fairs).

•Impromptu dinners and cooking together at home where we live.

•Celebrations of milestones like birthdays, completing school semesters, moving into a new home.

•Connecting to donors and supporters.

•Staying in touch after the residents leave our program.

Your support to us matters, too. Your prayers, your giving, your interest, and your advocacy serve to bring healing to the young adult men who come through Orchard Community.

Thank you! and God bless you,
Michael Liaw.

05/07/2026

Hello Friends,

Thank you for visiting with us at our 2026 Spring Open House. We were, as always, encouraged by your presence.

And a special thank you to the Oliver’s community group from Whittier Area Community Church ( ) who supplied us with snacks, beverages, decorations, and a backpack full of gifts for our guys!

God bless you,
Michael Liaw

05/07/2026

🎥

04/24/2026

Hello Friends,
We can’t do our work without community partners and friends like you. We just want to take amoment to give thanks.
•Ericka, our board member and founder ofWherehouse Project, supplying Simeon withneeded household supplies and appliances for his new 1-bedroom apartment.
•Will, Master in Social Work Care Intern fromWhittier College Counseling Center, visitingto know where he can refer Whittier College students who are housing insecure.
•Mona, Director of Local Engagement & Volunteer Mobilization, and Adam, Young AdultPastor, at Whittier Area Community Churchvisiting to explore partnerships to care for ourguys.
•Sharon and Pam, faithful supporters who check in on me and hear about our work firsthand.

If there are ways that our work has encouraged you, please let me know. We’d love to share thatencouragement with others. If you want to hear more about our work, please feel free to reachout. I will buy you coffee!
God bless you,Michael Liaw

04/21/2026

https://system.careportal.org/request-engagement/requests/296178

One of our residents recently acquired a used car in order to facilitate commuting to work 15+ miles from home. Because his work shifts are graveyard shifts, commuting by public transportation has been unfeasible and safety has been a priority. The used car needs additional work: (2) new tires, alignment, oil change, tune up, and transmission service in order to ensure reliability of the vehicle.

He is working towards paying off debt, establishing financial stability, acquiring financial literacy skills, and EMT license, and returning to a University of California school to complete a 4-year degree. Having reliable transportation will allow him to continue going to work and attending to other financial stability needs towards his goals.

Click link to make a tax deductible donation.

Help Improve a Child's Wellbeing

04/10/2026

Hello Friends,
Just a quick update on our former residents:
•Wilson and Aya headed out to Michigan to start a new life together! Wilson will beworking at Target and Aya at McDonald’s, and they will be near family.
•Mark is in a nearby transitional housing continuing to grow in his money managementskills and in his job as a chef at a local eatery.
•Simeon is a beloved member of a team at a popular local restaurant where he’s beenworking for over 6 months now.
•Matthew has had his senior living job for over 3 years and is looking to advance in theworkforce by considering work at local hospitals.

Remember to visit us on Saturday, 4/18, 2-5pm for our Spring Open House fundraiser, and come meet our guys!

God bless you,
Michael Liaw

03/26/2026

Hello Friends,

You all know how the phrase ends: “The family who eats together stays together.” It’s all the meals and interactions between program requirements that form the trust and relationship needed for deep impact. We can do this because your support empowers me to live in the same house as the guys, negotiate use of the same kitchen, and be one knock on the door away from an impromptu chat about this or that (thankfully, I have my own bathroom 😊).

Pictured are:

•Monthly group outing, Mama Lu’s Dumpling house.
•David making oatmeal cranberry pecan cookies.
•Nick making honey butter chicken.
•Monthly one-on-one meeting with Fred at Starbucks.

Remember to visit us on Saturday, 4/18, 2-5pm for our Spring Open House fundraiser, and come meet our guys!

God bless you,
Michael Liaw

02/26/2026

Hello Friends,

Please help us welcome the third of our three newest residents, Nick! Nick is working towards a Fire Science degree at Rio Hondo college.

Nick loves music (math rock genre for those who know what that is) and has played guitar for over 15 years. Nick’s favorite sport is water polo, loves cars (faster the better), and enjoys the post-apocalypse genre in movies and video games. He hopes to be a fire fighter. Please help us wish Nick all the best in laying solid foundations for his future.

God bless you,
Michael Liaw

PS: our open house fundraiser is Saturday, 4/18, 2-5pm. Save the date and come meet Nick!

02/19/2026

Save the date!!