Action Alliance Foundation

Action Alliance Foundation provides safe residences for the homeless population recovering from substance abuse, including those struggling with mental health issues. We teach our residents how to create sober lives leading to futures full of hope and promise.

In 1995, George Folk received two driving under the influence charges within 30 days. His judge sentenced George to one year of sober living, and George has been sober ever since.

Initially, George became a house manager, then the general manager of the recovery residence network where he received housing and services. In 2002, George established his own recovery residence network, Action Alliance Services (AAS).

AAS and AAF currently operate 38 homes throughout Orange County, housing up to 400 individuals at any given time. Houses are managed by volunteer house managers in 100% drug and alcohol-free environments. AAS gives residents one to two weeks to find work and begin paying rent, with 70% of those accepted into the program able to meet this goal.

Action Alliance Foundation (AAF) was formed in 2021 to provide opportunities for unemployable community members in recovery from substance abuse several months, rather than weeks, to become employable and self-sufficient. These individuals do not currently have a path to sobriety, as local homeless shelters do not require sobriety of their residents, and they do not qualify for the traditional AAS program. Philanthropic support helps provide these residents not only with housing, but with the tools and support needed to maintain their sobriety, get physically and emotionally healthy, and become employable once again.

Action Alliance’s program achieves results. Approximately 40% of Action Alliance’s residents and alumni maintain sobriety at the one year mark – a success rate that’s 21% higher than average!* In addition, about 70% of our residents achieve 30 days of sobriety, and 50% achieve a six month sobriety anniversary. Action Alliance also has a goal of helping all of its residents become productive members of society, whether through meaningful employment or by volunteering.

In 2023, AAF entered into a contract with the Orange County Healthcare Agency (OCHCA) to provide residential recovery services to community members referred by the County. Results from the program's first year (October 2023 to September 2024) are truly impressive:

• 72% of those participating completed the four-month program, successfully maintaining their sobriety throughout
• Of this group, 96% secured full-time employment
• Of the group securing full-time employment, 100% transitioned to a long-term living arrangement.

OC Probation established a similar contract with AAF in 2024. Between January and October 2025, this contract housed 60 justice-involved individuals who were in recovery and at-risk of homelessness. The impact has been remarkable, with 90% employed upon program completion and 100% of these residents transitioned into a long-term housing situation. Countless stories of stability and transformation from participants and probation officers alike have praised the program, with one noting, “This is the first time my client has been stable. Because of supportive housing, supervision will be terminated early.”

*According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, about 33% of Americans seeking sobriety maintain their sobriety after one year.

Action Alliance Foundation's Project Hope program provides qualifying residents with short-term housing free of charge, until they become healthy enough to work or are able to qualify for long-term disability benefits and pay their own way. Project Hope also provides rent assistance for current residents who encounter unexpected setbacks, such as job loss or a family emergency. Since 2024, AAF has provided more than 2,500 nights of rent assistance to our clients – more than 100 nights per month.

In addition to providing rent assistance, AAF also:

• Manages 17 recovery residences that can house up to 152 residents on any given night
• Raises funds to furnish and equip our homes, provide bus passes, and meet other critical needs
• Hosts community activities that provide important information and opportunities for the recovery community to come together, including our annual Sober Softball Tournament in June and our Octsoberfest picnic and BBQ in October.

AAF's fundraising goal for 2026 is $100,000.

Orange County, California

In 1995, I moved into a sober living home and it saved my life. I am a firm believer that sobriety is taught from one alcoholic (sponsor) to another alcoholic (newcomer). Action Alliance requires all of its residents to attend 4 AA/NA meetings a week and to work with a sponsor.

Action Alliance Foundation and its partner, Action Alliance Services, currently operate 38 recovery residences in Orange County that house 400+ community members in 100% drug and alcohol-free environments. Each resident is required to work a job and pay their own rent; if residents receive SSDI income they are required to volunteer 20 hours a week in the community. In an effort to expand our services and reach the unemployable homeless alcoholic or addict, Action Alliance Foundation (AAF) was formed in 2021. AAF raises funds to sponsor sober living beds for unemployed and homeless alcoholics and addicts. After one to six months, AAF's goal is that the previously unemployable individual will once again become employable and self-sufficient.

Over the last 20 years, the "Action Alliance Model" has helped thousands of Orange County residents get and stay sober! Homeless shelters do NOT provide a path to sobriety - but Action Alliance does!