Groundswell

Groundswell, Santa Ana

Founded in 1995, Groundswell, formerly known as the Orange County Human Relations Council, has served as a countywide leader in collecting, tracking, reporting, and responding to hate crimes and hate incidents across Orange County.

As a Stop the Hate grantee, Groundswell expanded its reach by engaging a broader network of community-based organizations, educators, service providers, and institutions to deliver responsive victim services, foster dialogue on the root causes of hate, and develop community members as informed upstanders.

Through anti-hate and anti-bias trainings, Groundswell integrates equity and restorative practices into schools, workplaces, and community spaces, improving reporting accuracy while equipping participants with practical tools to prevent and respond to hate-motivated behavior.

Their efforts span the region, building capacity among service providers, educators, prospective counselors, parents, and youth to recognize harm, shift narratives around hate incidents, and strengthen restorative school climates.

By reframing how communities pinpoint hate incidents, Groundswell continues to advance a comprehensive, prevention-centered approach that supports safer, more inclusive schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods across Orange County.