Families Forward “No Place Like Home” Gala Set For September 25th

Sept. 8, 2010 - PRLog -- IRVINE, CALIF -- On September 25, 2010, Irvine-based Families Forward will celebrate 26 years of proudly serving the community at a gala event honoring those who have been strong supporters of the organization. The people and companies who will be recognized at the event include the South Coast Apartment Association, which will receive the Partner In Hope Award, and Ken and Jo Ann Coulter, who will be honored with the Spirit of Community Award. Steve Churm, publisher of OC Metro, will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

The black-tie, annual event will be held at the Newport Beach Fairmont Hotel, and the non-profit agency is hoping to raise more than $350,000 dollars. The proceeds are needed now more than ever as programs have expanded in response to the recession and the impact it has had on families.

“In the first half of 2010, our food pantry has served more than 350 families each month,” explained Executive Director Margie Wakeham, “Unfortunately, more and more families are coming through our door, and we are trying to keep up with the demand to serve them all.”

In addition to feeding more families, an emergency housing/rent assistance program which was created in 2009, is currently helping more than 158 Orange County families.  Families Forward also continues to host career workshops and other classes that have assisted 126 people so far this year.  
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Families Forward serves families in cities throughout South Orange County, including:  Aliso Viejo, Corona Del Mar, Coto de Caza, Dana Point, Dove Canyon, El Toro, Foothill Ranch, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, South Laguna, Trabuco Canyon and Tustin.

Since 1984, Families Forward has been providing low-income and homeless individuals with the resources and tools they need to get back on track.  The non-profit agency assisted more than 8,000 individuals through housing, counseling, food, referrals, school supplies, career coaching, and other services in 2009.  The organization relies heavily on local volunteers to help with such activities as the Back-To-School program, Thanksgiving program and the Holiday Adopt-A-Family.

Tickets for the “No Place Like Home” annual gala are now on sale.  The cost for an individual ticket is $200, with sponsorship packages available.  For more information, please contact Families Forward at 949-716-5858 or visit http://families-forward.org.

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Since 1984, Families Forward has been providing low-income and homeless individuals with the resources and tools they need to get back on track through housing, counseling, food, referrals and other services.