Families Forward Community Connections - Summer 2016
Local Families Need Your Help!
In Orange County, 49% of children in public schools receive free and reduced lunch during the school year but, when school is out for the summer, parents have to find a way to make up for the meals their children are not receiving at school. Many turn to Families Forward to help fill that gap.

During the summer months, the amount of food in Families Forward's pantry sinks to extremely low levels with shelves and bins nearly empty.

If you are able to get involved you can  host a food drive or donate food directly to our program center. Your effort will help restock our pantry shelves and enable Families Forward to serve 100+ families per week! If you have any questions or want more information on how to get involved, contact Katie Borum.

Annual Gala in September - Tickets on Sale NOW 
 
Tickets are now on sale for this special evening but if you are not able to make the event, donations can also be made to support local families in need. For more information about this year's gala, contact Susan DeGrassi  or visit our  website .

Volunteer Spotlight
Families Forward relies on the generosity and commitment of our volunteers who make all of our programs possible.

Recently, we received a donation from Alexa and Koen - Back to School supporters who have assisted their grandparents with a backpack drive since they were 6 and 7! Thank you, Alexa and Koen, for your support!
 
Thank you to all of our Back to School donors and volunteers! We look forward to serving over 1,500 children with new backpacks, school supplies, clothing, and haircuts throughout the month - all thanks to your generosity.

To learn more about how you or your company can get involved, contact Marissa Hall, Volunteer Manager or visit our website. 
Your Support Changes Lives!

Families Forward's Community Counseling Program serves hundreds of low-income families each year. Our counselors work with adults and children alike, giving them the tools to cope with the pain, loss and sacrifice that can stem from poverty and homelessness.
 
This painting was created by a teen client who had endured years of severe trauma and coped through cutting. She described the painting to her counselor with the conclusion that she is "not angry or sad, I'm just pink and light. I'm OK."
To read her full description, click here. Visit our website to learn more about Families Forward's Community Counseling Program.
Leave Your Legacy at Families Forward
undefined
Did you know that Families Forward has created a Legacy Fund to ensure that resources will be available well into the future to help local families in need? The easiest way to support this fund and the long-term sustainability of our mission is to include Families Forward in your estate plan. Join others in our Legacy Society who created planned gifts to ensure a better tomorrow for our community.

By exploring different types of planned giving strategies, you can create your own legacy and also know you will be helping future generations of parents and their children. To learn more, read our brochure or contact Kim Strohm at [email protected] .

How you can help!
Families Forward relies on the support of the community, whether through volunteering, product donations or financial contributions.  

Your commitment to bettering the lives of vulnerable families makes the difference.

Families Forward | [email protected] | (949) 552-2727
www.families-forward.org
Connect with Families Forward