About Us

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Discover Friendly Center

Our Journey
Friendly Center was founded in 1924 by a men’s Bible study group dedicated to supporting impoverished farm workers and their families in the local community. What began as a small, faith-driven effort has grown into a lasting source of support for families in need. In March 1967, Friendly Center was formally incorporated as a nonprofit organization, marking a new chapter of growth. Today, it operates four family resource centers across three cities, serving thousands of individuals and families each year.

As the oldest continuously operating nonprofit in Orange County, Friendly Center remains true to its founding mission—helping families move toward stability and self-sufficiency.

Today, Friendly Center's wrap-around services continue to elevate families so they may overcome crisis and the barriers of poverty.

Our three pillars work together to build wraparound services.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION & BASIC NEEDS opens the door, FAMILY SERVICES stabilize the household, and EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT create long-term opportunity.

Who We Are

OUR MISSION

Providing stability, opportunity, and hope to children and families in poverty.

OUR VISION

To end the cycle of generational poverty in Orange County.

FINANCIALS

Annual Report 2023  |   Annual Report 2024  |  Annual Report 2025

Watch How We
Make a Difference

With the support of donors and volunteers, families are being impacted for the better every day at Friendly Center. Watch our video by clicking the image.

Our Main Pillars

Family Support

Food and Basic Needs

Education and Workforce Development

Programs and services that make a difference for the whole family

Our programs and services fall under three main pillars: Family Support, Food and Basic Needs, and Education and Workforce Development. Friendly Center’s 15+ wraparound programs offer struggling families the unique opportunity to find resources that combat the various intersecting barriers of poverty while meeting their immediate needs. Food insecurity, joblessness, mental health emergencies, and lack of educational opportunities are often cyclical issues for low-income families – Friendly Center’s multifaceted, holistic approach of providing assistance through a variety of programs effectively helps these families transition from crisis to self-sufficiency.

Accomplishments
in 2025

245,909 lbs

Food Distributed

2,025

Individuals Received 600 Dinners During Thanksgiving Ensuring Joyful Holiday Celebrations & Stronger Families

3,464

People Served

Over 2,000

Toys, and 600+ Backpacks Were Distributed to 1,203 children

Our Programs
Meeting the need

Friendly Center responds to the needs of the community with dynamic programs that help keep families safe, stable, and secure. More than 15 free programs and services are offered to low-income families through our locations in Orange County. The programs help support families in different situations to develop long-term solutions.

Select a program below to learn more.
Your Support Matters
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