Padres Unidos Np

Padres Unidos' commitment to all families is to cultivate growth. Since 1999, Padres Unidos has been serving low-income families in Orange County through a variety of child, youth, and family services. Our mission is to foster self-sufficiency and responsibility for education among families, believing that “Successful Families Build Successful Communities.” Based on this philosophy, Padres Unidos aims to engage families not just in their children’s lives but also in the community, building protective assets, nurturing vibrant neighborhoods, and empowering residents. In order to bring culturally and linguistically appropriate services to families in low-income communities, Padres Unidos offers a spectrum of programs, designed to help parents engage in their child’s education, development, and community.

In 1999, Padres Unidos began serving families in Orange County as “Healthy Tomorrows,” through the Orange County Social Services Agency. This partnership enabled us to develop a successful model of parent education and engagement, meeting the needs of the low-income community we serve. At the height of the recession, we saw our County funding disappear but remained committed to providing our programs to at-risk children and families. In 2011, we became an independent 501(c)3, continuing to partner with families, school, districts, other nonprofits, and Chapman University to implement a holistic approach to community development. Through our integrated continuum of early engagement, parenting classes, and volunteer/community worker training, we help families go from beneficiaries to empowered workers and volunteers serving their neighborhood. Our model increases school readiness and decreases likelihood of child abuse/neglect, gang involvement, welfare needs, and cyclical poverty; it also creates a multi-generation culture of volunteering and community engagement and improves relationships among community members, the school system, the child welfare system, and other stakeholders. Padres Unidos is not just about helping a single student or even a single family, but engaging the entire community in building better neighborhoods and better futures.

At Padres Unidos, we believe that strong families are the foundation of strong communities. As we look ahead to the coming year, we are inspired by the resilience of the families we serve and energized by the partnerships that continue to expand opportunities for children, parents, and communities across Orange County.

This year marks an exciting milestone as Padres Unidos launches the first cohort of our two-year Community Worker Award Certificate Program in partnership with Santiago Canyon College. Together, we are equipping parent leaders and community members with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to become agents of change, strengthening neighborhoods from within and building the next generation of culturally responsive community leaders.

We are also proud to expand our impact through a new partnership with Orange Unified School District, bringing our At-Promise Youth Family Strengthening Program to families whose children are navigating significant life challenges. Through connection, education, and support, we will continue to strengthen family relationships and create pathways for healing, hope, and success.

In collaboration with First 5 Orange County, we remain committed to supporting families during one of life's most important journeys through our prenatal and postnatal family strengthening workshops. These programs provide parents with education, connection, and encouragement as they prepare for and navigate the early years of their child's life, helping to build strong foundations for lifelong well-being.

At a time when many families are facing rising costs of living, economic uncertainty, housing instability, and fears related to immigration, Padres Unidos remains steadfast in our mission to walk alongside those who need support most. Through our Outreach, Support, and Education model, we continue to create safe spaces where families can find resources, build community, and strengthen their capacity to overcome adversity.

Every parent empowered, every family connected, and every child supported represents the power of community working together. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters and partners, we are not only responding to immediate needs, we are helping families discover their strengths, find their voices, and create brighter futures.

Together, we are turning hope into action and strengthening families one relationship at a time.

Successful Families Build Successful Communities.

Families across Orange County are facing unprecedented challenges. Rising costs of living, housing instability, economic uncertainty, and an ever-changing immigration landscape have created significant stress and fear for many of the families we serve. For undocumented and mixed-status families in particular, concerns about family separation, immigration enforcement, and anti-immigrant rhetoric have led many to withdraw from community life, limiting their access to critical resources and support systems.

As fear and isolation increase, so do unmet needs. Families are struggling to access stable housing, food, infant essentials, transportation, healthcare, and mental health services. Parents are carrying the weight of uncertainty while striving to provide safety and stability for their children. These challenges impact not only individual families but also the overall health and well-being of our communities.

At the same time, schools and community partners are experiencing significant reductions in funding and staffing, creating gaps in family outreach, engagement, and support services. As trusted community-based organizations become increasingly essential, Padres Unidos is being called upon to help fill these gaps through culturally responsive education, family strengthening programs, leadership development, resource navigation, and mental health-informed support.

In response, Padres Unidos continues to expand innovative programs designed to strengthen families and build community resilience. Through our Love Circles, families find safe spaces to connect, heal, and access resources without fear or judgment. Through our partnership with Santiago Canyon College, we are developing the next generation of parent leaders through our Community Worker Award Certificate Program. Through our collaboration with Orange Unified School District, we are expanding our At-Promise Youth Family Strengthening Program to support families navigating significant life challenges. Through our continued partnership with First 5 Orange County, we are providing prenatal and postnatal education and support to help families build strong foundations from the very beginning.

The need continues to grow. Families need trusted relationships, culturally responsive support, and opportunities to build resilience in the face of uncertainty. They need places where they feel seen, heard, valued, and empowered.

With the support of our community, Padres Unidos will continue to meet families where they are, strengthen protective factors, expand access to critical resources, and create pathways toward hope and stability. Together, we can ensure that every family has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of the challenges they face.

Because when families are strengthened, entire communities flourish.

Padres Unidos offers our programming throughout Orange County in Santa Ana, Anaheim, San Juan Capistrano, Los Alamitos, Orange, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Dana Point, and Lake Forest.

At Padres Unidos, we believe that Successful Families Build Successful Communities. This belief continues to guide every decision we make and every family we serve.

Today, families across Orange County are navigating tremendous uncertainty. Rising costs of living, housing instability, economic challenges, and evolving immigration policies have created significant stress for many of our parents and caregivers. For some families, fear has led to isolation, limiting their willingness to seek support, access resources, or fully engage in their communities. As a result, we are seeing increased needs related to mental health, family wellness, food security, infant essentials, and community connection.

Yet even in the midst of these challenges, we continue to witness something extraordinary: resilience. Every day, parents show up for their children, families support one another, and communities come together in powerful ways. It is this resilience that inspires our work and reinforces our commitment to walking alongside families with compassion, dignity, and hope.

This year marks an exciting season of growth for Padres Unidos. Through our partnership with Santiago Canyon College, we are proud to launch the first cohort of our two-year Community Worker Award Certificate Program, empowering parents and community members to become leaders and advocates within their neighborhoods. Through our new collaboration with Orange Unified School District, we are expanding our At-Promise Youth Family Strengthening Program to support families whose children are navigating significant life challenges. In partnership with First 5 Orange County, we continue to provide prenatal and postnatal education and support, helping families build strong foundations from the very beginning.

As we grow, four principles continue to guide our work:

Solutions to community needs must be designed and embraced by the community itself.
Parents are the first teachers of their children and must be actively engaged in shaping their future.
Learning is a lifelong journey, and each of us has the responsibility to use that knowledge to strengthen our families and communities.
Lasting change happens when public systems, private organizations, and community members work together toward a shared vision.

These principles are reflected in every workshop, every Love Circle, every leadership opportunity, and every partnership we build. They remind us that meaningful change begins with listening, trust, and a belief in the strengths that already exist within our communities.

As Executive Director, I am honored to serve alongside an incredible team, dedicated partners, and courageous families who continue to inspire us every day. Together, we are creating spaces where families feel seen, valued, and empowered to thrive despite the challenges they face.

The future of our communities depends on the strength of our families. With your partnership and support, we will continue to foster connection, cultivate leadership, and create opportunities for every family to flourish.

Together, we are turning hope into action.

With gratitude,

Patricia Perales Huerta, PsyD
Executive Director
Padres Unidos

"Successful Families Build Successful Communities"