Beach Cities Interfaith Services

Beach Cities Interfaith Services (BCIS) focuses on two aspects of homelessness. First, we seek to remove barriers to housing stability and prevent homelessness by providing one-time emergency grants, typically ranging from $800 to $1,000, to individuals and families facing unforeseen financial crises. To ensure accountability and maximize impact, BCIS pays funds directly to landlords or vendors rather than issuing checks to individuals, guaranteeing that 100% of the financial assistance is used for its intended purpose. Second, for individuals who are already homeless, we assist them with grants to pay for security deposits or move in costs for permanent supportive housing in partnership with nonprofit developers.

Beginning in 1988. we were established as the Episcopal Service Alliance in Huntington Beach to aid those in need. BCIS was incorporated as a nonprofit 501© 3 with a small group of board members and volunteers providing food, clothing, and counseling for homeless people in Huntington Beach. For over 25 years, we have partnered with local churches, community organizations, and individuals. We collaborate with 28 faith-based, nonprofit, and community organizations, such as, First Christian Church, St. Wilfrid’s Episcopal Church, St. Peter’s by the Sea Presbyterian Church, all in Huntington Beach, Robyne's Nest, St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, Homeless Task Force of Huntington Beach, Congregation B’Nai Tzedek, ComUNIDAD, Jamboree Housing, the City of Costa Mesa, and Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC).

BCIS’ housing stability/prevention program focuses on awarding small grants on average of $800-$1,000 to individuals and families who find themselves in unforeseen circumstances that prevent them from paying their rent. These situations include a job loss, medical expense, a large car repair, or becoming a victim of crime, such as domestic violence. All small grant recipients receive information about CalFresh, CalWorks, and any government financial programs available. In order to guide an individual and family towards independence, financial counseling is offered but is not a required part of the grantee process.

Snce 2021, BCIS's core programming and model has focused primarily on housing stability and homelessness prevention efforts. Building on our core housing stability and prevention services, BCIS has expanded services offered to include small, targeted grants for individuals transitioning out of homelessness and into permanent supportive housing. Even after meeting all eligibility requirements, many individuals face critical financial barriers such as insufficient funds for security deposits or the needfor essential move-in items, including furnishings. In partnership with nonprofit housing developers, BCIS addresses these gaps by providing small grants that remove last-mile obstacles to housing access.

BCIS does not have the capacity to do drug rehabilitation, mental health, or assist those who will not work to improve their situation.

Since every homeless or near homeless individual or family needs a listed address to apply for housing, employment, or to receive benefits, BCIS offers mailbox services operated by volunteers to unhoused clients at St. Peter’s by the Sea in Huntington Beach. BCIS also partners with nonprofit organizations, churches, and local food banks by delivering food for distribution at their sites.

Our results speak to the impact of BCIS' program model. Based on prior outcomes, an observed success rate of 95% indicates achievement of housing stability over a 12-month period. BCIS has consistently grown over the last four year, having served 99 individuals in 2025. Based on the estimated $45,000 that Orange County typically spends on homeless individuals living in shelters or on the streets, BCIS saved public agencies an estimated $4,455,000 in costs for public services by helping individuals find housing or remain housed. With an average housing stability/prevention grant of $800-$1,000, BCIS keeps individuals, children and families, and seniors housed, a comparatively minimal investment compared to them living on the streets or in shelters.

Our Board recognizes that our organization cannot continue to grow with volunteers alone; there is a need to hire an administrator part-time to manage the day to day operations of the organization.

Within the last two years, BCIS has added five new Board members with expertise in finance, HR, legal expertise, banking and faith-based organizations. The new Board members are filling leadership positions such as Vice-President, Fundraising Chair and Marketing Chair. We still would like to find a Board member to assist the treasurer with preparing financial statements and the annual requirements for 990. We hope to expand our Board to 15 members, and eventually form an Ambassadors group of advisors who can help make financial contributions and bring on major donors to BCIS.

BCIS serves residents in Central Orange County, including Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, and Santa Ana, helping individuals and families overcome temporary setbacks and regain housing security and stability.

President serves dual role of CEO/Executive Director and President. See statement below under Board Chair/President

BCIS helps people who are behind in their rent stay housed by providing one-time rental payments and resources so individuals and families can avoid homelessness. We pay landlords directly and emphasize self-reliance and financial education to keep families stable. However, we also know that while emphasizing self-reliance is ideal, some clients cannot be expected to reach that standard. That is especially true for disabled seniors, for instance. So, we help with security deposits, furniture purchases, and application fees. For example, we recently funded all 42 security deposits for homeless seniors at a subsidized housing project, Pelican Harbor. The project was built and managed by Jamboree Housing.

To connect with clients, we are a referral-only organization deeply involved in the community. Our referrals come from 1) local nonprofits 2) diverse faith-based organizations 3) governmental entities and 4) selected individuals. The surge in our growth we provide to clients has been exponential. The drastic increase in the volume of clients served has pushed BCIS into its current status as one of Orange County’s leading nonprofits whose primary mission is homeless prevention.

Moreover, our mail service helps people who have lost their housing make the leap to permanent housing by providing an address for correspondence, such as rental and credit applications. We are also partnering with local organizations to provide information about food and housing.

We could not have grown this much without the support of our long-time donors, private foundations, churches, and civic organizations that have helped us raise nearly $80,000 in 2024. In 2025, our goal is to surpass $100,000 in operating funds.