September 18 | Summer 2019
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This summer, Families Forward donated backpacks filled with school supplies to
1,428 children in Orange County.
We had help from
32 Corporate donors, who organized donation drives at their offices, contributing backpacks, supplies and volunteer time!
A total of
365 volunteers contributed
1062 hours to organize supplies, fill backpacks, and help with distribution.
We would like to extend a huge
THANK YOU to all our wonderful donors and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this year's Back-to-School event a huge success!
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As we gear up for our 35
th
Anniversary event,
Havana Nights
, we reflect on the 25 years of visionary leadership of our retiring CEO, Margie Wakeham.
In honor of Margie’s vision of bringing a home to all families in Orange County, Families Forward has established the Margie Legacy Fund. This fund will ensure that our goal of housing over 250 families in the next year is realized.
If you know Margie, you know she’s a force to be reckoned with. She has the ability to inspire anyone she meets and is steadfast in her dedication to our families and volunteers. In the words of Margie,
“This isn’t my legacy, it’s our legacy. I’ve just had the unique pleasure of being at the head of it.”
Join us in honoring our incredible leader and friend, Margie Wakeham!
Click
here
for more information!
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Families Forward Mission Moment
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Eric and Mary Garcia had been living out of their car with their children for 3 months when they were referred to Families Forward. The family of 6 had previously been living in Anaheim in a two-bedroom apartment with a Section 8 voucher; however, California occupancy laws required them to find a larger unit after the birth of their youngest son. Homelessness followed when they were unable to locate a new unit they could afford.
Once the family began accessing services through Families Forward, their Case Manager and Housing Resource Specialist worked diligently to transition the family into an interim home. Eric continued to work full-time at a local auto dealership, and Mary worked with a Families Forward Career Coach to set employment goals of her own. Stably housed, the younger children began attending Preschool while the older children settled into the rhythm of elementary school.
Approximately 10 months after the start of their homelessness, Families Forward moved the Garcia family into a permanent, affordable unit in Santa Ana. The family was safe, but unable to afford beds that would enable the children to sleep soundly at night. With the help of a generous foundation grant, Families Forward was able to provide the $1,156 needed to supply beds for the entire family. The family was overjoyed and, for the first time in almost a year, each Garcia child had a bed of their own.
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Ways to Get Involved
Join us in supporting our Holiday Programs
and help us make the holidays brighter for deserving families in Orange County!
Each year, Families Forward provides Thanksgiving baskets filled with all the fixings needed to make a Thanksgiving meal at home. Each December, our Adopt-a-Family Program bring holiday treats to children in need.
Sign-Ups to volunteer during our Holiday Programs begin October 1. To sign-up, please click on the following
link
.
There are many ways to get involved, from hosting a donation drive to volunteering your time. For more information on ways you can help, click
here
.
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Community Wide Food Drive
Saturday, October 5
Sunday, October
6
Many low-income families are faced with choosing between paying rent and the cost of food, transportation or medical care.
The food pantry at Families Forward can help – but there are times when our food donations decrease and our pantry shelves become nearly empty. To combat these slower times, Families Forward is partnering with local grocery stores and community groups for a Community Wide Food Drive on Saturday and Sunday, October 5 & 6.
To learn more about how you can help, click
here
. To sign-up to volunteer, please follow this
link
.
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Families Forward
8 Thomas, Irvine CA 92618
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