Quarterly newsletter
May 30 | Spring 2019
Back to School Donation Drive
Summer might be just around the corner, but at Families Forward, we have already begun preparations for Back-to-School! Last year, with your generous support, Families Forward served over 1,700 children, ensuring they were prepared for the first day of school with backpacks, school supplies and clothing. This year we anticipate serving even more children, but we can't do it without your help! Visit our  Amazon Wish List to shop for school supplies online, or click here for a complete list of our most needed items. 

No time to shop? Make an online donation and we will do the shopping for you!

From volunteering to hosting a supply drive, there are lots of ways you can get involved. For more information, contact Ashleigh Gonzales .
Volunteer Spotlight
Each Spring, Families Forward honors our most dedicated volunteers with an appreciation luncheon. It's a chance for staff to meet and thank volunteers who put in such hard work and dedication throughout the year at our front desk, the food pantry, at our seasonal events and in our Prevention and Diversion program.

Front desk volunteer Karen Rhoads shares what volunteering at Families Forward means to her:

"I volunteer because I want to serve in a way that really makes a difference. Whether I'm making appointments with clients for the food pantry or interviewing those who are in need of housing solutions, I am able to make meaningful connections and provide much needed information. I’ve learned to be an active and compassionate listener to those who need to share their most personal stories. I’m surrounded by an awesome, compassionate staff, volunteers, and interns who are like-minded. Volunteering at Families Forward has enriched my life in so many ways!"

We couldn't do what we do without our amazing volunteers! From all of us at Families Forward, thank you! To see more photos from our recent Volunteer Appreciation Event, please click here .

To learn more about ways to volunteer, please contact Marissa Hall at mhall@families-forward.org
Upcoming Events

Path to College Workshop : 6/5
Tenant Education Workshop : 7/9
Community Wide Food Drive: 7/13
Annual Gala : 9/21

See what else is happening soon .
Giving Day Success!
#HelpThemHome

Through your amazing generosity, Families Forward raised a record breaking $151,000 in just 24 hours to benefit homeless and at-risk families in Orange County.

"With the rising cost of living in one of the most expensive housing markets in the United States, financial assistance is the life raft some families are depending on to get out of homelessness. $151,000 means that our various teams can support over 60 families step out of homelessness and back into stable housing."
--Mike Young, Programs Director

Families Forward would like to express our sincere thanks to all our donors who gave so generously. Together, we can Help Them Home!
Families Forward Mission Moment
How does someone becomes homeless? If you ask Alicia, a single mother of four who works as a school aide, she'll tell you: it can happen very quickly. Alicia's Orange County apartment complex was caught in a fire and her unit became uninhabitable. Unable to move back home, and unable to find an apartment within her budget, Alicia's only option was to stay in a motel. The American Red Cross helped with a motel voucher, but that was a short-term solution. Fortunately, Alicia reached out to Families Forward. Our family navigator and case manager were able to help Alicia quickly identify housing she could afford and streamline the process for her to move in. Alicia and her children are now safely housed and we are proud to be part of her journey!
Upcoming Events

Save the Date!
35th Anniversary Gala
Saturday, September 21


Click here for more information on tickets, sponsorship opportunities and more!


This year's event will honor the dedication and service of retiring Families Forward CEO, Margie Wakeham.

We expect this event to sell out, so be sure to purchase your tickets before it's too late!
Community Wide Food Drive
Saturday, July 13

Summer is one of the hardest times for families who are at risk for hunger. Nearly 50% of students in Orange County qualify for free or reduced-priced lunches. Without that, some children go without food.

The food pantry at Families Forward can help – but during the summer months, 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, July 13.

To learn more about how you can help, click here .
Families Forward
8 Thomas, Irvine CA 92618
(949) 552-2727 | www.Families-Forward.org