Families supporting families in private home education...

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." Colossians 4:6

...with a Biblical worldview.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105

Support for the whole family...

"All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children." Isaiah 54:13

...from preschool to highschool...

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

... with classes, field trips, service projects and more.

"...because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

We love supporting home education!

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History of SOCCO

This is a short history of SOCCO for all those who are interested in where we started.  It was contributed by Terri Bonstrom in 2012 and has been updated by Laura Mehrley and Lisa Olivier.

In April 2004 Ann Cochrane, founded SOCCO (South Orange County Christian hOmeschoolers) out of a desire to have a support group exclusively for Christian families in South Orange County, California who home educate their children independent of any public programs.  Ann set up a private website with MyFamily.com for SOCCO members to communicate with each other.  She also began coordinating events such as Beach Days and Mom’s Meetings.  Members were required to sign documents agreeing to a statement of faith, event guidelines, and release of liability, as well as pay a nominal $15 a year fee per family.

Within the first year, leadership transferred to another member, Kathy Johnson, who added a public website allowing prospective members to get to know what SOCCO provides. Many more activities (science and art classes, choir, curriculum information exchanges, park dates, etc) were added and led by members.  SOCCO also became a part of a state network organization: CHEA (Christian Home Educators Association of California) and a national network organization: HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense), which directs many more families to SOCCO support group.

In May 2006 Greg & Terri Bonstrom volunteered to lead SOCCO, along with four other members who volunteered to be on a board in various advisory & coordinator positions (Outreach Activities, Social Activities, Education Activities and Treasurer.)  In September 2009, Don & Jennifer Cooper and Jeremiah and Gabi Smedra volunteered to lead SOCCO.  Early in 2010, the Smedra's moved out of state and the Coopers went on to lead SOCCO.  

In June 2011 Laura Mehrley agreed to serve as SOCCO's next leader as the Administrative Coordinator.  A board was created so that the leadership of SOCCO could be maintained with assistance from committees.  Since then, each committee leader has served with the support of members on their committee and various functions have been added. 

In the Fall of 2012, SOCCO initiated a consistent model of Friday classes and park days along with field trips, service projects, and mom’s nights at various other times.  In 2016, a teen leadership group was created and named the Special Projects Club (SPC).  SOCCO’s membership has consistently grown over the last decade. On April 26, 2024, SOCCO celebrated its 20th year of being a group with a birthday party for all members.

After 15 years of serving SOCCO Laura Mehrley graduated from SOCCO and Lisa Olivier agreed to serve as the next leader as the Administrative Coordinator.

God has blessed, grown, and protected SOCCO all these years!

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