Our Story

The desire to create an organization that would serve youth actually dates back to 2012 when Tina James, founder of OAI,  went on her first two mission trips. She had the opportunity to work with children in a housing project in San Antonio, TX and later with children in foster care in Waxahatchie, TX. Tina also made six trips to Coreluv in Haiti, sharing the love of Jesus with children in orphan care. 

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In early 2016, Tina befriended a homeless man whose story began to clarify the path that God wanted her to travel. This man had aged out of the foster care system and had been homeless for most of the 18 years since then. God began to place in Tina's heart a strong desire to help young people who are aging out of the foster care system which typically occurs when they reach 18.

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In August 2016, Tina was driving and mulling over the possibilities and obstacles that such a venture might bring. She looked over at a sign on the side of the road and the sign read, "The Lord will provide . . . ." Genesis 22:8.

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Operation: Achieve Independence was launched in March 2017. Tina keeps God's guiding vision always in front of her. OAI wants the young women and men in or aging out of foster care to be heard and helped.

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In the state of Texas, foster care individuals can further their education by taking advantage of a tuition fee waiver that pays for tuition in Texas state universities as well as some trade schools. OAI guides foster care students through this process. 

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Tina, and others involved with OAI, seek to stay true to God's vision for the young people they serve. They also pray for God to bring passionate volunteers who share OAI's vision to train, encourage, mentor and edify these young people. OAI believes that these foster or former foster students who've aged out of foster care can become adults who will make a positive impact in the world!     

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