Family Assistance Ministries

Homeless Prevention Services: Diversion and Prevention are key components of FAM's Homeless Prevention Program. People who are unhoused are connected to family and friends through FAM's robust Homeward Bound Program. Case management including financial counsel, rental assistance, utility assistance, transportation vouchers, car repair, car registration, back-to-school supplies, clothing, job search coaching, senior-specific assistance, medical, dental and prescription assistance are examples of services that are provided to clients seeking a hand-up. All services are provided as a part of an overall financial stabilizing plan. Bills are paid directly to service providers. FAM expanded its outreach by opening a second Resource Center that will allow for clients to receive services closer to home. Clients can now access services at FAM's two Resource Centers and three satellite locations. Also new for FAM are the services we now provide to assist MediCal clients with support services such as housing navigation for those who are unhoused and seeking permanent housing, housing deposits to help with security deposits, first months rent and household set-up, housing sustainability to help with landlord relations and referrals for other services needed, and financial literacy to help with budgeting, banking and much more. Through a new partnership with Mission Hospital, FAM assisted 40 individuals who are frequent users of the hospital emergency services and provided non-congregant shelter options. The partnership with the hospital social worker along with FAM's housing-focused Case Manager linked clients to permanent housing options.

FAM provides Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) for those experiencing chronic homelessness and have a diagnosed mental or physical disability. FAM is the master lease holder on these scattered site apartments. Clients are provided food, personal care items, tenant education, connection to a health home, a support team through weekly case management and wrap around services.

FAMily House: FAMily House serves a critical role as the only emergency shelter for unhoused families in south Orange County. The program safely houses single dads, single moms, dual parent households, their children and pregnant women, offering them healthy food choices and connecting them to health insurance and a health home. We helped 83 individuals through the FAMily House program last year. Developmental screenings were offered for children 5 and under. Financial counseling, job search coaching, and other life skills classes are also available. Personal care items, clothing, diapers, back-to-school supplies, holiday gifts, an after-school homework program that follows them when they move to permanent housing and referrals for other social services needed are also provided. FAM instituted a financial literacy program to assist clients as they transition to their next housing opportunity. The goal is to help clients graduate into their own stable housing as quicky as possible.