Thank you for your interest and support of Families Forward. Since 1984, Families Forward has worked with families in need to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through housing, food, counseling, career coaching, education, and other support services.
Operating with a guiding principle of support with accountability, last year Families Forward improved the lives of 10,000 children and adults by providing safety-net services through the framework of our values: Dignity, Empowerment, Accountability, Community Spirit and Hope. We’re excited to share our latest news and information on helping disadvantaged families build a brighter future for themselves.
For media inquiries, please contact: Email or call 949-716-5868
Families Forward in the News
- OCWorld TV highlights the impact of the “Help Them Home” Giving Day campaign led by the Orange County Community Foundation. Featuring former Families Forward client and current board member, Nick Meraz – June 20, 2025
- New Community Market provides families in need some dignity with their dairy – February 15, 2025
- Seen and Be Seen: Families Forward 40th Anniversary Gala – Orange Coast Magazine – December 20, 2024
- PODCAST KUCI Ask a Leader with host Claudia Shambaugh, featuring Madelynn Hirneise – June 4, 2024
- COMMENTARY To Build Trust in Philanthropy, nonprofits and funders must intentionally connect – Daily Pilot – May 26, 2024
- OC Diaper Bank seeks funding for its mission – Daily Pilot – April 28, 2024
- Food banks see rise in demand following inflation – NBC Los Angeles January 10, 2024
- Irvine to move forward with new affordable housing project – Orange County Register – December 22, 2022
- Bungalows in Costa Mesa Ribbon Cutting – A Families Forward Affordable Housing Project – Daily Pilot Front Page – December 18, 2022
- VIDEO Bungalows Affordable Housing Project Ribbon Cutting – KCAL 9 – December 15, 2022
- VIDEO Bungalows Affordable Housing Project Ribbon Cutting – KCBS – December 15, 2022
- VIDEO Families Forward Thanksgiving Distribution – KTTV TV – November 20, 2022
- VIDEO Veterans Day – Priscilla’s Story – Spectrum 1 News – November 16, 2022
- Madelynn Hirneise Recognized as Orange County Visionary – Los Angeles Times – October 2022
- Bank of America Invests in Orange County nonprofits – Orange County Breeze July 9, 2022
- Sahara Sandbar & Pizza Partnership – Daily Pilot – April 19, 2022
- Sahara Sandbar & Pizza Opening – OC Register – April 19, 2022
- Talking About Homelessness by Madelynn Hirneise – Parenting OC – April 14, 2022
- The Critical Need for Affordable Housing by Madelynn Hierneise – Orange County Business Journal – March 2022
- Families Forward helps struggling families move into affordable housing in Irvine – Spectrum News – March 14, 2022
- Afghan refugees find generosity, chaos as they settle in Orange County – OC Register – February 2, 2022
Read our article in the Orange County Business Journal:
From Peace Corps to Nonprofit Leader
- Food Pantry Interview with CEO, Madelynn Hirneise, and Volunteer Jill Sheer – Good Day LA, Fox 11 – July 29, 2021
- Food Pantry, Summer Hunger interview with CEO, Madelynn Hirneise and former Families Forward program participant – Good Day LA, Fox 11 – July 29, 2021
- Summer Hunger interview with CEO, Madelynn Hirneise and Back to School Drive – Good Day LA, Fox 11 – July 29, 2021
- Interview with CEO, Madelynn Hirneise in Irvine Community News & Views – June 5, 2020
- Families Forward Commitment to Equity – Posted June 4, 2020
- Your Generosity Helped Raise $210,250 in Just 24 Hours – Posted April 24, 2020
- Families Forward opens new Affordable Housing Option in Costa Mesa – Posted January 2, 2020
- Madelynn Hirneise selected as Families Forward CEO – Posted August 5, 2019
- Families Forward and Marx|Okubo recipients of the OneOC Giving is Living Award – Posted February 20, 2019
- Families Forward Earns 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for 9th Consecutive Year! – Posted February 8, 2019
- CAA Orange County honored for work with Families Forward — May 9, 2018
- Family of 4, including children, found dead in van in Garden Grove (Content Warning) — March 19, 2018
- Death of homeless family forces OC to examine how families receive aid (Content Warning) — March 19, 2018
- O.C. nonprofit groups identify 189 families struggling with housing during three-day census – Posted June 2, 2017
- Price tag of homelessness in Orange County is nearly $300 million, UCI study finds – Posted March 8, 2017
- Why more California families are becoming homeless – Posted January 5, 2017
Videos
- City of Irvine: Families Forward’s Community-Wide Food Drives
- Orange County United Way: Madisyn’s Story
- Orange County United Way: Steve and Melissa
- Orange County United Way: Michael’s Story
- Orange County United Way: Home for Good
- National Alliance to End Homelessness: Parents and Kids Talk About Homelessness
Families Forward Videos