Friendly Center Inc
PROGRAMS
Comprehensive Family Services
Comprehensive Family Services (CFS) addresses the barriers that poverty-stricken families face by offering free programs and services that work to physically, economically, and emotionally strengthen families. The goal is to break the cycle of generational poverty, creating stronger households enabling children to grow up in safer communities. Using the family resource center model, low-income families and individuals have access to an array of over 15 free services and programs at each of our sites. With 100 years of service to the community, Friendly Center is a deeply trusted resource offering an environment that is welcoming, respectful, and culturally responsive. English, Spanish and Vietnamese languages are spoken, reflecting the diversity of the communities we serve. CFS are responsive programs that are designed to help low-income families, as well as those in emergency situations, by providing services, support, and encouragement as they move toward self-sufficiency.
Families are screened by Family Service Specialists and immediate needs are addressed. Families with multiple needs are then referred to meet with family advocates who complete intake assessments and evaluations. The family advocates are key to linking the families with CFS that range from mental health counseling, domestic violence intervention, parenting classes, and supplemental food programs to English Language Classes. The family advocates take their cases to weekly Case Management Team (CMT) meetings. CMT is a multi-disciplinary group of professionals that ensure all available resources are being provided for the families. Based on prior year statistics, we expect 200 families to complete their individualized case plans in the upcoming year. Of those families, we anticipate that 90%, or 180 families will show improvement in at least one of the five protective factors of strong families, based on the identified needs of each family.
Unlimited Futures
Friendly Center's after-school tutoring program, which begam in 1998 to combat issues like school failure, high school dropouts, and gang involvement, has evolved into Unlimited Futures program. This initiative is shifting towards an education-to-workforce model within the career technical education (CTE) sectors, addressing the pressing need to alleviate poverty and align with local industry demands. By aligning education with workforce, we aim to create new job opportunities for both high school and adult learners. Partnering and collaborating with local community colleges and adult education programs aims to support Summer CTE Bootcamps such Drone Technology, Ai, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, our CTE pathways through STEAM raise awareness of opportunities and synchronize them with local school programs. Presently, The Power of Me offers free academic tutoring at two locations for kindergarten through middle school students from low-income families. Services include homework assistance and STEAM-focused enrichment activities aimed at closing the achievement gap and reducing dropout rates among at-risk K-8th graders. Friendly Center remains committed to helping our students attain high school graduation and pursue post-high school educational opportunities, recognizing that breaking the cycle of poverty hinges on the successful education of our youth.
Friendly Center's long-term successful outcome for Unlimited Futures is academic success, high school graduation, college and career awareness, and training for the children of the low-income families that we serve.
Community Food
Friendly Center's Community Food program offers families multiple ways to receive food support based on their needs. This is achieved through two primary program components: Food Distribution Events and Emergency Food Assistance. Food Distribution Events are a reliable resource that offers families a variety of fresh and shelf-stable food items. On October 1, 2024, Friendly Mart (a mini-mart model) was opened at the City of Orange Resource Center to provide added dignity to how families receive food. When a family's needs cannot wait until the next distribution, Emergency Food Assistance is available.
Friendly Center tracks program data and Community Food’s success in multiple ways. Program numbers are captured as clients participate – with name, household size, and zip code shared prior to receiving food. This data is compiled and analyzed to measure the program’s impact and inform ongoing outreach efforts. Program surveys are also administered to participants throughout the year, which are completed by clients anonymously and in their language of choice. The responses from these surveys are evaluated by management staff to ensure the needs of clients and their families are being met by the program.
CONTACT
Friendly Center Inc
2200 W Orangewood Ave
Ste 240
Orange, CA 92867
Kenia Cueto PhD
Phone: 714-771-5300 x 133