Project Youth OCBF’s Board of Directors is responsible for the overall governance and fiscal management of the Foundation. This impressive 45-member board is comprised of Orange County’s top legal professionals and business leaders. The success of Project Youth is due much in part to the strength and commitment of the Board.

Spotlight

Board member Eric Traut of Traut Firm was featured in last year’s July/August publication of Consumer Attorneys of America. View Volunteer Spotlight – Eriv V. Traut to learn about Eric’s continued involvement with Project Youth fundraisers and programs such as the OC Marathon, Project SELF, and the Higher Education Mentoring Program.

 A Message from
Project Youth OCBF 2019 President, Steven T. Card

Elevate – A short yet powerful word – to raise, to lift, to promote.  At Project Youth OCBF, our programs are designed to elevate kids, helping them learn, grow, and change behaviors through education and empowerment. We are so fortunate to have impacted thousands of kids over our strong 50 year history. This past has been made possible through an outstanding group of people including our dedicated staff, volunteer board members, donors and community supporters, many who have been loyal for decades.

Leveraging this successful history, we must now look forward to our future!  To ensure continued growth and success, we are implementing a comprehensive Capital Campaign to raise the support needed to thrive for the next 50 years. 

In 2017, we acquired our new building on 17th Street in Santa Ana.  The building provides our kids and staff with a safe and well located space. Our goal now is to pay off our mortgage ensuring even more of our annual resources go directly to our programs. 

Over the last decade, we have raised funds to provide over 200 low income students with four-year renewable college scholarships. Statistics from the College Futures Foundation show that kids who receive scholarships are more likely to attend college and more importantly complete their education.  To continue this amazing effort, we are seeking to establish an endowed scholarship fund for our students. 

Another goal of our Capital Campaign is to expand all of our programs and the number of kids we serve through increased annual program support, creating greater program efficacy and improve outcomes.  Our campaign is aptly named Elevate, which not only reflects the goals of our programs, but also the ever-increasing standard of excellence we set for our Project Youth.

We hope our loyal supporters will continue their support and help us grow our impact so we can continue providing Orange County’s youth with invaluable educational, health and diversion programs. Help us make a lasting impact for our community and elevate our youth. Here’s to the next 50 years!

Sincerest regards,
Steven T. Card
2019 Project Youth OCBF President

2019 Board Officers

• President – Steven T. Card
• President Elect – Mark D. Erickson, Esq.
• Secretary – Maria Z. Stearns, Esq.
• Treasurer – Todd G. Friedland, Esq.
• Immediate Past President – Brian M. Daucher, Esq.