Illumination Foundation

Illumination Health + Home’s mission is to disrupt the cycle of homelessness. We provide housing and healthcare services for the most vulnerable individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Our services include housing, medical and mental healthcare, substance use intervention, recuperative care, outreach, and childhood enrichment programming. These services fill a critical gap in the continuum of care for the homeless with a focus on assisting individuals and families into stable housing.

Illumination Health + Home is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation with a mission to disrupt the cycle of homelessness. The organization primarily serves low-income individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. Established in 2008, Illumination Foundation’s innovative housing and healthcare models fill a critical gap in the continuum of care for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Over the past 16 years, Illumination Health + Home has made significant strides in addressing homelessness through a unique model that integrates healthcare and housing services. Here are some key impacts and achievements:

Housing and Shelter: Illumination has served nearly 7,000 clients and housed 959 individuals in 2023 alone. We provide interim housing, emergency shelters, family emergency homes, permanent supportive housing, and micro-communities.

Healthcare Services: Illumination has served thousands of clients through its seven recuperative care centers and partnerships with various medical groups. In 2023, we provided recuperative care services to 1,638 clients and connected many more with primary, dental, and behavioral health care.

Comprehensive Support: Illumination programs are designed to offer wraparound services that include housing navigation, intensive case management, substance use counseling, and trauma-informed care. We emphasize the importance of addressing systemic barriers to healthcare and housing for their clients.

Children and Family Services: We operate multiple family emergency homes, including a dedicated home for children with disabilities. These homes provide families with a stable environment while they regain their footing. In 2023, we served 327 children and parents/caregivers in our family emergency homes.

Partnerships and Collaborations: The foundation collaborates with various organizations to enhance their service offerings. Partnerships include initiatives with CHOC, the University of California, Irvine Eye Mobile, Healthy Smiles dental mobile clinic, My Private Professor for tutoring, and parenting classes through Olive Crest, among others. We work we Families Solutions Collaborative, Chrysalis, hospitals, managed care plans, academic institutions, and many other partners.

These efforts and others reflect Illumination Health + Home's ongoing commitment to disrupting the cycle of homelessness by addressing both immediate needs and underlying causes through an integrated and compassionate approach.

Every night, as darkness falls over Southern California, thousands of individuals and families face the harrowing reality of homelessness. Behind these numbers are stories of suffering, resilience, and a desperate need for help. Illumination Home + Health stands as a beacon of hope, yet the overwhelming demand for our life-saving services underscores a profound and urgent need for expanded support. Illumination addresses the homelessness crisis through an integrated approach combining housing and healthcare services. Despite the progress made, there is a persistent and growing need for comprehensive solutions to successfully disrupt the cycle of homelessness.

Illumination Health + Home has made significant strides over the past decade, serving nearly 7,000 clients annually through various programs, including shelters, recuperative care centers, family emergency homes, and housing programs. Despite these achievements, the need for services continues to outpace the available resources. Key areas of ongoing need include:

Housing Solutions: There is a critical shortage of affordable housing and supportive housing units.

Healthcare Services and Comprehensive Support: Many individuals experiencing homelessness have unmet healthcare needs. Illumination’s recuperative care centers and partnerships for medical, mental health, and dental services are essential, yet additional funding is needed to expand these services to more individuals.

Children and Family Support: Families with children, especially those with disabilities, require specialized support. Our family emergency homes provide crucial assistance, but the need for more resources to support these vulnerable populations is ongoing. Our Children and Families Program is dependent on ongoing foundation and philanthropy support.

Overall Operating Support: Flexible funding is essential to support our integrated housing and healthcare model and overall operations. Each year, the need for our services outweighs our capacity. Funding for overall operating expenses will help us meet the evolving housing and healthcare needs of the low-income communities we serve. By fulfilling critical community needs now, we are giving future generations the opportunity to live stable and healthy lives.

Illumination Health + Home plays a vital role in addressing homelessness in Southern California, however, to continue and expand this impactful work, additional resources and ongoing support are essential. By investing in Illumination’s programs, your support can transform lives. You are not just providing a bed or a meal; you are offering hope, health, and a chance for a better future. The stories of resilience and recovery that emerge from Illumination’s programs are a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together to support its most vulnerable members. Together, we can ensure that no one has to endure the fear and uncertainty of homelessness. Together, we can bring light to the darkest corners of our community.

Volunteer and Donation Drive Opportunities

We welcome volunteers and encourage community engagement. Whether you are an individual or plan to volunteer with a group or company, you can make a positive impact on our clients.

Volunteer at one of our Family Emergency Homes, Navigation Centers, or Recuperative Care Centers

Host a meal service

Host an activity or game night

Revitalize a facility

Host a donation drive (toys, school supplies, arts and crafts supplies, diapers and baby supplies, toiletries)

Donate clothes, shoes, socks, linens, furniture and other move-in items

Volunteer at one of our events such as Carnival for Kids, Chef’s Table, and holiday events

For more information about volunteer opportunities please email volunteer@ifhomeless.org.

Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties.

I am deeply honored and incredibly proud to serve as the CEO of Illumination Health + Home. Over the years, our dedicated team has worked tirelessly to address the complex issue of homelessness in Orange County. Our innovative approach, which integrates housing with critical healthcare services, has transformed countless lives and provided a beacon of hope for many.

Every day, I am inspired by the resilience and strength of the individuals and families we serve. Their stories of overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges motivate us to push boundaries and continue to innovate our service delivery. The success of our programs as reflected in the lives stabilized and the communities uplifted, fills me with immense pride.

I am grateful to our board of directors, staff, volunteers, partners, and donors who make our mission possible. Their unwavering support and commitment are the backbone of our success. As we look to the future, I am filled with optimism and determination to expand our impact, ensuring that every person has the opportunity to achieve stability, health, and dignity. Together, we can disrupt the cycle of homelessness and build a brighter future for all.

Pooja Bhalla, DNP, RN
Chief Executive Officer