In our Podcasthon 2025 episode, Tammie Webb explains her passion for helping foster kids to thrive

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Today’s episode is part of something truly special — Podcasthon 2025. It is a worldwide movement uniting more than 1,500 podcasters to shine a light on charitable organizations which are truly changing lives.

The heart behind the mission of Podcasthon is to share powerful stories and bring people closer to causes that need support. The Podcasthon interviews strive to connect people who want to make an impact with those folks who are making a difference.

In that spirit, today’s episode is dedicated to OCJ Kids. It is an organization with a mission to support foster children across Arizona.

Founded by Tammie Webb and her husband Gary, OCJ Kids began as a small outreach to help at-risk youth. Over the years, it has grown into a life-changing ministry, reaching thousands of children in group homes and foster care as well as supporting young adults who age out of the system.

For the past 20-plus years, Tammie has devoted her life to helping these vulnerable kids rediscover their worth and provide them with not just resources, but also relationships to help build their future.

From supplying emergency kits for children removed from unsafe homes, to job training programs which set up teenagers for success, OCJ Kids ensures that every child knows they are seen, valued and capable of enjoying a bright future.

In this episode, Tammie shares her journey, the heartbreaking realities these kids face, and the incredible ways OCJ Kids is restoring dignity, hope and opportunity to the next generation.

OCJ Kids is far more than a charitable organization. It is a lifeline for children who have experienced unimaginable trauma.

These kids have been removed from homes due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. Many have never known what it’s like to feel safe, supported or truly loved.

For Tammie, this is not just a job; it’s a calling. She and her team work tirelessly to ensure every foster child has access to emergency kits, mentorship programs, job training, and a sense of community.

For example, the “Restoring Dignity Room” gives young women – 90 percent of which have been sexually abused – the education and resources they need to regain confidence and self-worth, as well as improve their self-image. It is just one of many ways OCJ Kids goes beyond ensuring basic needs are met to help children heal and thrive.

The work doesn’t stop at foster care. OCJ Kids also helps young adults aging out of the system, ensuring they don’t become another heartbreaking statistic of homelessness or incarceration. The agency provides life skills training, professional mentorship, and even free cell phones to keep these young adults connected to a support system.

But OCJ Kids can’t do it alone. They rely on donations, volunteers and community partners to continue this life-changing work. If you’ve been moved by Tammie’s story today, here’s how you can make a difference:

• Donate: Every dollar helps provide emergency kits, mentorship programs and essential resources. Visit ocjkids.org to contribute.
• Volunteer: Whether you can help pack emergency kits, mentor a young adult, or assist with special events, your time is invaluable.
• Spread the word by sharing this episode. Tell your friends, your church, or your workplace about OCJ Kids and explain how the Arizona Tax Credit allows people to direct their tax dollars to organizations like this. Taxpayers can either pay tax to the state or donate it to OCJ Kids and reduce the amount of taxes owed.

As Tammie said, these kids deserve to be seen, not for their trauma, but for their potential. By supporting OCJ Kids, you’re helping to rewrite their stories — stories of hope, dignity and a future filled with purpose.

To learn more about the mission of OCJ Kids, or to connect with Tammie, visit www.ocjkids.org or follow her on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

Thank you for joining me for this special Podcasthon episode of the Forward From 50 podcast. If this conversation inspired you, please share it with others who have a heart for making a difference. Thank you for listening!