On July 28, 1976, a small but determined group of advocates in Orange County opened a six-bed shelter for survivors of domestic violence. They did it because women and children had nowhere else to go. They did it even when neighbors pushed back and forced them to relocate. They did it because they believed, with everything they had, that every survivor deserves safety.

That spirit lives in everything we do. It is reflected in our staff, volunteers, partners, and the survivors who trust us with their most vulnerable moments. It is present in every step forward we have taken, from expanding services for survivors of human trafficking to opening Hope House to changing our name from the Women’s Transitional Living Center (WTLC) to Radiant Futures because we knew our circle of care needed to grow.

Today, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary, I am proud of what we have built together. And I am even more inspired by what comes next. The need is real. The community is ready. And we have 50 years of proof that when people come together to support survivors, extraordinary things happen.

Thank you for being part of that story.

In Gratitude,

Mark