Abrazar Inc

Abrazar (which means to Embrace in Spanish) is dedicated to embracing the diversity of seniors and
families in our community, educating them on the resources we provide through our community
collaborations and empowering them to improve the quality of their life.
Abrazar’s goals are to Embrace, Educate, and Empower children, families, and individuals with the
necessary tools to attain financial stability; physical, dental and mental health; educational success;
engage citizens in civic participation; provide or facilitate access to affordable and decent housing
and prevent hunger and malnutrition. Diversity and delivery of collaborative services are critical in the
success of our programs.
Our objective is to meet the specific needs of each individual by providing outstanding services
through each program, by reinforcing our values in everything we do. Abrazar’s key values are as
follows:(1) Exceptional Service: Exceed expectations of our clients by listening to them and treating
them with dignity, compassion, and respect. (2) Creativity & Innovation: Our programming implements
creative and innovative strategies to continue to meet the increased demand for services in the most
efficient manner. Our service standards are above the status quo, and we understand the need for
continuous evolution. (3) Fiscal Responsibility: We understand our funders, grantors, and customers
deserve transparency for every dollar, and we provide the most services possible with the financial
support provided. (4) Embrace Diversity: We embrace the diversity of our community, and our team
represents this cultural diversity. (5) Community Collaboration: We know we cannot meet all the
needs of our diverse community alone. We have built trust with partners in the non-profit, public, and
private sectors to deliver exceptional service to the most participants possible. (6) Leadership: We
expect our team to be leaders in their field and provide solutions to the challenges faced by our
community. (7) Results: Our team meets every challenge and exceeds the expectations of our
funders and community members. This is why we have continued to evolve and grow over the past
50 years.

Since 1975, Abrazar has empowered Orange County residents by connecting individuals and families with the resources they need to achieve stability, independence, and long-term success. We provide culturally responsive services in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese that address transportation, healthy aging, family support, financial stability, early childhood development, after-school enrichment, housing navigation, and community health. Serving thousands of low-income children, families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities each year, Abrazar works alongside government agencies, school districts, healthcare providers, foundations, and community organizations to remove barriers and improve quality of life throughout Orange County.

Each year, Abrazar serves thousands of Orange County residents through evidence-based and community-driven programs that improve health, financial stability, educational outcomes, and access to essential services. Our transportation programs provide more than 10,000 rides annually to medical appointments and other critical destinations for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Families receive financial coaching, housing navigation, early childhood support, tax preparation, and connections to public benefits, while youth participate in high-quality after-school programs that promote academic success and healthy development. Through trusted partnerships and culturally competent staff, Abrazar creates measurable outcomes that strengthen individuals, families, and communities.

Orange County continues to experience widening disparities in housing affordability, transportation access, healthcare, food security, and economic opportunity. Older adults, immigrants, low-income families, and individuals with disabilities often face significant barriers to accessing critical services, particularly those who require culturally and linguistically appropriate support. Increasing costs and reductions in public funding have intensified these challenges, making nonprofit organizations like Abrazar essential in helping vulnerable residents remain healthy, independent, and economically stable while preventing more costly interventions.

Abrazar intentionally focuses its services on Orange County residents experiencing the greatest social and economic disparities, particularly those living in communities with the lowest Social Progress Index scores. Our programs are concentrated in neighborhoods where barriers to healthcare, transportation, housing, education, and economic opportunity are greatest. As an organization headquartered in Westminster near the heart of Little Saigon, we have built decades of trust serving Orange County's Latino/a and Vietnamese communities through culturally responsive and multilingual services delivered in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. We also prioritize older adults, low-income families, children and youth, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, and others who face barriers to accessing essential services.

At Abrazar, our mission has always been simple: to embrace, educate, and empower our community so that every individual has the opportunity to live a healthy, stable, and fulfilling life.

Over the past two decades, I have had the privilege of witnessing the resilience of Orange County families, older adults, children, and individuals with disabilities. While Orange County is often viewed as a place of prosperity, we know that many neighborhoods continue to experience significant disparities in health, housing, transportation, education, and economic opportunity. These challenges are especially evident in communities with the county's lowest Social Progress Index scores, where families often face multiple barriers to accessing the services they need.

Abrazar was founded on the belief that lasting change begins by meeting people where they are. Today, we continue that commitment by providing culturally responsive services in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, with a strong focus on Orange County's Latino/a and Vietnamese communities, as well as older adults, low-income families, and individuals facing complex social and health challenges.

Our work extends beyond delivering programs. We build trusted relationships, strengthen partnerships, and advocate for solutions that improve our community's quality of life. Whether helping a senior reach a life-saving medical appointment, supporting a family through financial hardship, preparing a child for future success, or connecting someone to stable housing, our goal is to create opportunities that foster dignity, independence, and hope.

None of this would be possible without the dedication of our staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, community partners, and funders who share our commitment to building a stronger and more equitable Orange County. Together, we are creating lasting change—one person, one family, and one community at a time.

Mario A. Ortega
Chief Executive Officer
Abrazar, Inc.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am honored to support the work of Abrazar and the dedicated staff who serve our Orange County community every day.

For more than 50 years, Abrazar has remained committed to its mission of embracing, educating, and empowering individuals and families through programs that improve health, economic stability, education, and overall quality of life. As Board members, we recognize that the needs of our community continue to evolve, and we are committed to providing the governance, oversight, and strategic leadership necessary to ensure the organization remains responsive, accountable, and sustainable.

The Board takes great pride in Abrazar's reputation as a trusted community-based organization that delivers high-quality, culturally responsive services to older adults, children, families, and individuals with disabilities. We are especially proud of the organization's longstanding commitment to serving Orange County's Latino/a and Vietnamese communities and residents living in neighborhoods experiencing the greatest social and economic disparities.

Through strong partnerships with government agencies, school districts, healthcare organizations, foundations, businesses, and community leaders, Abrazar continues to expand opportunities for those who need them most. The Board remains committed to sound governance, financial stewardship, and continuous improvement so that the organization can continue making a meaningful impact for generations to come.

We are grateful to our staff, volunteers, community partners, and supporters whose dedication makes this important work possible. Together, we are helping build a healthier, more equitable, and more connected Orange County.

John Oh
Chair, Board of Directors
Abrazar, Inc.