Current Status: Alumni
Graduation Year: 2015
Jessica Garcia’s (BA ’15) transition from HIU student to full-time employee happened rather quickly, but her compassion for marginalized children and their families has been blossoming for years. Jessica had previously worked with elementary school kids at Crossway Church for 3 ½ years and volunteered with YoungLife students. She now serves as Marketing Coordinator for Olive Crest, an Orange County non-profit that offers a broad spectrum of care for abused, neglected, and at-risk children and their families.
Jessica reflects on how majoring in English and Literature at HIU benefits her day-to-day work. “It feels so good to take what I learned those four years and apply it directly to my career. I am forever indebted to Professor Natalie Hewitt and her excellent training in grammar and writing!”
Along with volunteer activities and school work, Jessica held several leadership roles at HIU, including Resident Assistant, ASB officer, small group leader, and Admissions student employee. “I feel the participation I had on campus really shaped me into the servant leader I am striving to be at Olive Crest. My leadership experiences at Hope greatly enhanced my work ethic, drive, and willingness to work on a team.”
Olive Crest’s central emphasis on the healing power of family drew Jessica to the organization. She explains, “Child abuse doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a cycle that often stems back to a broader family history. Olive Crest’s highest goal is to create strong families and to keep children safe. To achieve this, Olive Crest works alongside families and children, providing practical, effective tools for preventing child abuse, treating and educating at-risk kids, and preserving the family.
“The desire to see every child in a safe home and with a strong family drew me to this job. For me, saying yes to becoming an advocate for children and families was easy. Getting to participate in helping to end the cycle of child abuse pushes me to work hard on the internal side of the organization.”
While Jessica manages Olive Crest’s social media and aspects of their website -- along with other writing and editing tasks -- her favorite assignment is going out and interviewing the children and families being served. “From the moment I first got to interview a family who has been in our programs, I felt deeply satisfied with my career. Nearly every time I sit down with a family who has benefited from the help Olive Crest provides, I am moved to tears. I don’t get to do this every day, so when I do get to interview a family, child, or teen, I always walk away feeling that although my role in the organization is small, it is important to the families I meet, and therefore worth doing well.”
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