Formation | 1984 |
---|---|
Headquarters | Irvine, California, U.S. |
Membership | 200 volunteers, plus full-time and part-time staff |
Executive Director | Margie Wakeham |
Website | Families-Forward.org |
Families Forward is an Irvine, California based nonprofit organization founded in 1984 by a group of community members in collaboration with the City of Irvine and the Irvine Company, with the goal of providing affordable housing for homeless and at-risk families.[1] The agency began with only five apartment units and one part-time counselor. Families Forward has grown and now has housing units across Orange County, a food pantry providing food for nearly 7,000 people per year, and offers services to prevent homelessness in Orange County, California.[1]
Families Forward's mission is to help families in need achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through housing, counseling, education and other support services.[2]
The organization has over 200 volunteers, in addition to full-time and part-time employees.[3]
Families Forward was awarded four stars by nonprofit evaluator Charity Navigator for fiscal responsibility for the last 7 years, placing them in the top 3% of rated charities nationwide, noting that 90% of donations are spent on its programs and services.[4]