HELPING HOMELESS FAMILIES FIND TEMPORARY HOUSING THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND PARTNERSHIPS. THEY OFFER CRISIS HOUSING MOTEL VOUCHERS AND CONNECT FAMILIES WITH FAMILY SOLUTION CENTERS FOR PERMANENT HOUSING OPTIONS. MORE INFO HERE

*** 211 CAN ALSO HELP ROUTE FAMILES TO COOLING CENTERS AND HYDRATION STATIONS ACROSS ALL COUNTIES.

WHAT THEY DO: CAP OC is the primary anti-poverty agency in Orange County. They operate the OC Food Bank, providing emergency grocery boxes, fresh produce, diapers, and senior food packages. Additionally, they offer home utility payment assistance (LIHEAP), weatherization services, emergency crisis guidance, and run local Family Resource Centers that provide wrap-around support for low-income and unhoused families.

ADDRESS: 11870 Monarch Street, Garden Grove, CA 92841

PHONE: (714) 897-6670

LINK: https://www.capoc.org/

WHAT THEY DO: A countywide street outreach program focused on assisting individuals and families experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Mobile outreach teams conduct street canvassing to build relationships and directly link unhoused residents to emergency shelter, permanent housing (via the Coordinated Entry System), physical healthcare, behavioral health services, and essential supportive resources.

ADDRESS: 4000 W. Metropolitan Dr., Suite 500, Orange, CA 92868

PHONE: (800) 364-2221

LINK: https://ceo.oc.gov/care-coordination/outreach-engagement

WHAT THEY DO: One of the largest primary food distribution networks in Orange County. They distribute tens of millions of pounds of food annually through hundreds of community partners, including local pantries, houses of worship, schools, shelters, and senior centers. They operate mobile food pantries, school-based distributions, and a 45-acre farm to provide families, children, and seniors with direct access to fresh produce, dairy, protein, and shelf-stable groceries.

ADDRESS: 8014 Marine Way, Irvine, CA 92618

PHONE: (949) 653-2900

LINK: https://feedoc.org/

WHAT THEY DO: Operates a client-choice "Food Market" where families can shop for fresh groceries, produce, milk, eggs, and protein with a grocery cart to select what suits their household. They also provide emergency housing stabilization and utility assistance. Note: Appointments are required prior to visiting.

ADDRESS: 23661 Birtcher Dr., Lake Forest, CA 92630

PHONE: (949) 380-8144

LINK: https://www.sco-oc.org/get-help/food-program/

WHAT THEY DO: A comprehensive family resource organization that operates client-choice mini-marts ("Friendly-Marts"). Families can pick up free groceries, fresh produce, and diapers, alongside receiving utility support, counseling, and family emergency services. (Shopping appointments required by phone).

ADDRESS: 147 W. Rose Ave., Orange, CA 92867

PHONE: (714) 771-5300

LINK: https://friendlycenter.org/food-relief/

WHAT THEY DO: Operates the HUB Food Pantry in Fullerton, offering walk-up and drive-thru emergency food distributions for low-income families, individuals, and unhoused residents. Visitors receive free groceries including fresh produce, dry goods, dairy, and bakery items. They also provide housing navigation and rapid re-housing support.

ADDRESS: 610 S. Melrose Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832

PHONE: (714) 680-3691

LINK: https://www.pohoc.org/get-help/

WHAT THEY DO: Serves as a vital emergency food hub for South Orange County. FAM operates a client-choice food pantry where families can pick up fresh food, produce, diapers, and hygiene kits. They also provide emergency financial aid for rent and utilities, plus shelter programs for families with children.

ADDRESS: 1030 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, CA 92673

PHONE: (949) 492-8477

LINK: https://www.family-assistance.org/

WHAT THEY DO: A unique culinary-focused food rescue program. They recover high-quality food to prepare fresh, hot, nutritious meals and packaged family meal boxes. Through their "Trio On The Go" food truck and direct community distributions, they deliver free hot meals and food relief directly to low-income neighborhoods, shelters, and partner centers across Orange County.

ADDRESS: 13941 Nautilus Dr., Garden Grove, CA 92843

PHONE: (714) 554-1923

LINK: https://www.brackenskitchen.org/

A HIGHLY ACTIVE MOBILE HYGIENE SERVICE IN ORANGE COUNTY THAT BRINGS MOBILE SHOWER AND LAUNDRY TRAILERS DIRECTLY TO UNHOUSED FAMILIES. 

CALL (714) 543-5540 FOR THEIR CURRENT PARK ROUTE.

OFFERS ACCESS TO BASIC EMERGENCY NEEDS INCLUDING PHYSICAL COOLING-OFF STATIONS, LAUNDRY FACILITIES, PUBLIC RESTROOMS, AND SHOWER ACCESS. 

PHONE: (714) 507-2459.

(OPEN DAILY 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM):

ATLANTIS PLAY CENTER: 13630 ATLANTIS WAY, GARDEN GROVE, CA.

SIGLER PARK SPLASH PAD: 7200 PLAZA ST, WESTMINSTER, CA.

(FREE, BUT CHECK FOR SESSION

WRISTBANDS DURING HOT

WEEKENDS).

WHAT THEY DO: A digital mental health, wellness, and basic needs platform created by the OC Health Care Agency. Residents can use the online search tool or chat directly with a live Resource Navigator (available 24/7 in multiple languages) to get personalized connections to local mental health services, substance use support, food pantries, emergency housing, and legal aid.

PHONE: (855) 625-4657 (OC Links 24/7 Line)

LINK: https://ocnavigator.org/m/ocn

WHAT THEY DO: A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) network providing low-cost and no-cost medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health care for low-income and unhoused families. They offer pediatric care, school physicals, immunizations, Medi-Cal enrollment support, and patient-only food assistance programs. Services are available on a sliding-fee discount scale so no one is turned away.

ADDRESS: 661 W. 1st St., Tustin, CA 92780 (Main Clinic; additional locations in Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, and Westminster)

PHONE: (800) 597-7977

LINK: https://familiestogetheroc.org/

WHAT THEY DO: A community coalition and behavioral health network providing mental health, crisis stabilization, and substance use treatment for all Orange County residents, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Their Orange Campus accepts walk-ins for 24/7 crisis intervention, residential treatment, and recovery support. They also dispatch local mobile crisis response teams across several OC cities to assist individuals experiencing non-emergency mental health crises or behavioral emergencies on-site.

ADDRESS: 265 S. Anita Dr., Orange, CA 92868

PHONE: (949) 749-2500 (General Info) | (855) 625-4657 (OC Links 24/7 Line for direct services & referrals)

LINK: https://bewelloc.org/

WHAT THEY DO: A 325-bed low-barrier emergency shelter and service center operated in partnership with the City of Anaheim. They provide safe interim housing, warm meals, showers, pet-friendly accommodations, substance recovery navigation, and comprehensive case management to help unhoused individuals and families move into permanent supportive housing.

PHONE: PHONE: Call 2-1-1 for Shelter Intake/Bed Placement | (714) 820-4040 (Anaheim Outreach Team)

LINK: https://orangecounty.salvationarmy.org

WHAT THEY DO: A faith-based life-transformation program offering comprehensive emergency and transitional housing for unhoused men, women, and families with children. Residents receive daily meals, medical and dental care (via Hurtt Family Health Clinic), legal aid, job training, addiction recovery support, and on-site childcare and tutoring. They also operate specialized programs like the Tustin Veterans Outpost and specialized support for human trafficking survivors.

PHONE: (714) 247-4300

LINK: https://www.rescuemission.org/how-we-help/

WHAT THEY DO: Pathways of Hope provides a full continuum of housing and shelter services in North Orange County. They operate Via Esperanza, an immediate response emergency shelter specifically for homeless families. They also manage Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) programs featuring wraparound supportive services for chronically homeless families, individuals, and seniors. Furthermore, they offer homelessness prevention and eviction-diversion financial assistance to help keep at-risk households stably housed.

PHONE: (714) 680-3691

LINK: https://www.pohoc.org/our-services/

WHAT THEY DO: Family Promise of Orange County is dedicated specifically to helping unhoused families with children achieve long-term housing stability. They operate short-term emergency shelter programs, including the House of Ruth in Tustin, which features apartment-style units that keep entire families (including multi-generational households) housed together safely. They also provide homelessness prevention, rental assistance, housing navigation, financial capability workshops, and post-shelter stabilization support.

PHONE: (714) 787-3487 (Press 1 for Family Services)

LINK: https://www.familypromiseorangecounty.org/

WHAT THEY DO: Provides transitional housing and shelter explicitly tailored for unhoused families with minor children. Families are provided with their own private, rent-free apartment unit alongside complete wraparound support, including career counseling, budgeting assistance, life-skills classes, individual/family therapy, and on-site youth homework/tutoring programs. They also offer homelessness prevention and rental assistance programs to keep at-risk families stably housed.

PHONE: (714) 554-0357

LINK: https://thomashouseshelter.org/

WHAT THEY DO: Focuses on housing stabilization for families with minor children who are unhoused or at risk of homelessness. They offer rapid re-housing, emergency housing vouchers, rental assistance, and eviction prevention alongside intensive case management, mental health counseling, and workforce development.

PHONE: (949) 552-2727

LINK: https://www.families-forward.org/

WHAT THEY DO: Operates micro-communities, emergency family shelters, and permanent supportive housing throughout Orange County. They combine interim housing with medical care, mental health support, children’s enrichment programs, and case management to help families transition into stable homes.

PHONE: (714) 507-2490 (Family Solutions Hotline) or Call 2-1-1

LINK: https://illuminationhealthhome.org/

WHAT THEY DO: Provides transitional housing and emergency shelter specifically for unhoused single mothers and their children across multiple sites in Orange County. Residents receive safe shelter, life skills coaching, financial literacy classes, and assistance in securing permanent affordable housing and employment.

PHONE: (714) 596-1380

LINK: https://www.coletteschildrenshome.com/

WHAT THEY DO: Manages a comprehensive network of emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing across Orange County. They provide low-barrier shelter placement, housing navigation, and ongoing case management for families, individuals, and veterans.

PHONE: Call 2-1-1 for Shelter Intake / Bed Placement | (714) 836-7188 (Admin Desk)

LINK: https://www.mercyhouse.net/

WHAT THEY DO: Serves as a primary community hub offering emergency food and utility assistance, youth and family programs, after-school care, disaster relief, and referral services for low-income and unhoused residents. The facility is air-conditioned and acts as an emergency relief space during local high-heat events.

TYPICALLY 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM):

SANTA ANA: SALVATION ARMY ORANGE COUNTY CENTER (10200 PIONEER RD) AND DOWNTOWN SENIOR CENTER (424 W. 3RD ST).

ANAHEIM: ANAHEIM DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY

CENTER (250 E. CENTER ST) AND PONDEROSA JOINT-USE COMMUNITY CENTER (2100 S. HASTER ST).

STANTON: STANTON COMMUNITY CENTER (7800 KATELLA AVE).

WHAT THEY DO: Pretend City provides specialized access programs and community events throughout the month that offer free or deeply discounted admission:

Neurodivergent Family Nights (FREE): Held on the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of each month from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Offers a free, sensory-friendly, neuro-affirming evening for neurodivergent children, their families, and therapists.

Way to Play Days (Free Developmental Screenings): Held on the second Friday of every month (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM). Provides families with free developmental, dental, vision, or speech health screenings alongside play access.

Museums for All ($5 Admission): Year-round reduced admission rate of $5.00 per person (up to 4 guests) for families presenting an EBT or WIC card with corresponding ID.

ADDRESS: 29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618

PHONE: (949) 428-3900

LINK: https://www.pretendcity.org/visit/

WHAT THEY DO: Helps men, women, young adults, and veterans overcome barriers to employment. They provide free professional wardrobe styling and workforce-ready attire for job interviews, along with 1:1 career navigation, resume building, interview preparation, and job search training. They also operate thrift outlets ("The Hanger") that help fund their career programs.

PHONE: (714) 210-2460

LINK: https://www.workingwardrobes.org/

WHAT THEY DO: While the Rescue Mission no longer operates a public standalone thrift store, they run a massive Donation Warehouse right on their main campus. Donated clothing, shoes, household goods, and hygiene supplies directly stock their clothing closet, which provides free professional and everyday clothing for residents, families, and individuals in need transitioning into housing and employment.

ADDRESS: 1 Hope Dr., Tustin, CA 92782 (Donation Center Drop-off)

PHONE: (714) 247-4300

LINK: https://www.rescuemission.org/items/

WHAT THEY DO: (855) 625-4657 (also known as 855-OC-LINKS) is the 24/7 entry point for all Behavioral Health Services provided by the Orange County Health Care Agency. Callers are connected with trained clinical navigators who assess needs and provide direct warm-transfers to county mental health programs, substance use treatment, crisis intervention, mobile crisis teams, and early intervention resources.

PHONE: (855) 625-4657 (Available 24/7, multi-lingual)

LINK: https://www.ochealthinfo.com/oclinks

WHAT THEY DO: A community coalition and behavioral health network providing mental health, crisis stabilization, and substance use treatment for all Orange County residents, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Their Orange Campus accepts walk-ins for 24/7 crisis intervention, residential treatment, and recovery support. They also dispatch local mobile crisis response teams across several OC cities to assist individuals experiencing non-emergency mental health crises or behavioral emergencies on-site.

LINK: https://bewelloc.org/