JOY! Announces it's 2013 GIFTS!

In 2013 the NCC JOY Ministry elected to distribute its annual Gifts to one Local, one Regional, and One International charitible organization, with Mission's in line with JOY's and NCC's larger vision.

Localy- JOY is supporting O.C.C.O.R.D - an Orange County community-based non-profit organization that advances the rights and improves the lives of Orange County's working families. With a combination of community organizing, strategic research, and advocacy, OCCORD works toward a long term transformation of Orange County's economy by building coalitions, training grassroots leaders, and informing policymakers to ensure that economic development benefits every sector of society.

JOY's Regional support went to Stand Up for Kids - With an estimated 28,625 homeless youth living in the Orange County area, the mission of StandUp For Kids is ending the cycle of youth homelessness. Their local volunteer based programs, provide services to homeless youth, that help re-build their lives.

The support of International Mision 4/1 Earth - an outreach program of the larger United Church of Christ will help to Collectively plant more than 100,000 TREES globally in partnership with the National Arbor Day Foundation and the UCC's denominational partners around the world.