The months that Sophia went through treatments were not only emotionally and physically challenging, but financially the family struggled to make ends meet. Sophia’s husband and two young children were referred to Share Our Selves in Costa Mesa, where case manager Yadira Gomez compassionately worked with them to uncover their needs, provided them with monetary assistance to pay utilities and cover baby items, and connected them to other community organizations that could help them further.  

“My family is a real example of how the mission and purpose of Share Our Selves is worth supporting and maintaining. Share Our Selves was there with a helping hand when we needed it most. On behalf of my late wife, and my children, I want to express my gratitude to your organization for support of organizations like Share Our Selves.”

For more than 35 years, Share Our Selves (SOS) has provided a safety-net of care to those in need. Families and individuals can access food and clothing, receive financial aid assistance and even secure a “Birthday Party in a Box” to help families celebrate their child’s special day. With more than 200 volunteer health professionals and a partnership with Hoag Hospital, the SOS free medical clinic provides care for more than 300 patients per week. The free dental clinic is the only comprehensive free clinic for adults in Orange County and in 2006 over 7,000 patients received services from volunteer providers. The SOS Comprehensive CARE Center provides counseling, support groups, crisis intervention, home visits and more to help clients become and remain self-sufficient. Orange County United Way is proud to support Share Our Selves and applauds their staff and volunteers for all the hard work they do to create lasting changes for many Orange County families. For more information on Share Our Selves, visit www.shareourselves.org.

Lynn was desperate. A clergyperson referred Lynn to Jewish Family Services Women Forward program. A case manager helped Lynn sort out the components of her situation—financial, social, emotional, and psychological—and begin a plan to build her self-confidence and achieve financial self-sufficiency. An employment counselor assisted Lynn in preparing a solid resume that outlined and emphasized her strengths. When Lynn was raising her children, she had volunteered in many charities and developed excellent organizational and planning skills. But this was not enough. Lynn enrolled in two community college classes to upgrade her computer and office skills. She studied for and passed the state real-estate examination and obtained certification as a realtor. The employment counselor coached Lynn on how to network with other business people and search for a job, both online and in-person.

After two months of steady, determined job seeking, Lynn found a job. She works for a prominent real estate firm, selling commercial real estate and is also performing critical office functions as a result of her upgraded computer skills. Recently her supervisor told her how thrilled he is to have her working for the company—she is willing and able to do so many things. Thanks to the Women Forward program and Jewish Family Service and United Way’s funding, Lynn’s nightmare ended and she is now financially independent.