Can you imagine a future in which everyone in Orange County has a safe place to sleep every night? Families Forward, an Irvine based nonprofit, has been operating since 1984 with that vision at the core of its mission. It’s also why on April 22, 2020, Families Forward and 18 other homeless service providers are coming together for a day of giving to support the greatest needs of local homeless parents and children.
As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, nonprofits are facing unprecedented challenges in their ability to deliver services due to operational changes and reduced funding. This Giving Day is an important opportunity for the community to collectively support the organizations serving the county’s vulnerable homeless population.
“Giving Day has become one of the most exciting days of the year for us at Families Forward,” said Madelynn Hirneise, CEO, Families Forward. “Last year, thanks to our generous donors and matches from Pacific Premier Bank and our Board of Directors, we raised more than $150,000 in just 24 hours. This year, with the financial uncertainty facing families in Orange County due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are seeing a dramatic increase in need. Together, we can provide a beacon of hope to the most vulnerable in our community.”
Every day Families Forward sees families filled with fear and uncertainty. Imagine being told to “Stay Home” when your home is a car, a storage unit, or other place not meant for human habitation. Hopeful, innocent children don’t always understand why their parents have lost their home. They only know they have no bed of their own and no place to live a normal life. Their parents are mostly facing an unexpected crisis that has turned their lives upside down – whether it’s a job loss, medical issues or the fracturing of a family.
How can you help?
With your support, Families Forward can help these families achieve housing stability. From a Drive-Thru Food and Diaper assistance program during the current COVID-19 outbreak to a Housing Program and Supportive Services – all Families Forward programs have continued virtually and without interruption since social distancing measures were put into place on March 16. Your generosity on April 22, 2020, can help Families Forward continue to Help Them Home, today and every day.
