Family Service Association of Redlands recapped a successful year and outlined future goals at its installation meeting held at Martha Greens’ Restaurant with more than 40 in attendance on Tuesday, Feb. 28.
In closing the meeting and speaking of the 2023 goals of the organization, new Board President Carol Snodgress outlined the continued focus on housing issues and how to provide solutions to clients in need, possibly expanding services to outlying cities, strategic planning and envisioning a broader reach to households who need basic yet vital assistance in this tough economic climate.
New and incoming board members were installed by Redlands City Councilwoman Jenna Guzman Lowery. Celebrating a 125-year milestone, the historical organization continues to serve as a high-capacity safety net agency fighting hunger and homelessness in the region.
Outgoing Board President Lori Hatfield presented recognitions to the 2022 officers and committee chairs.
Executive Director Kyra Stewart, outlined the outFamily Service Association of Redlands recapped a successful year and outlined future goals at its installation meeting held at Martha Greens’ Restaurant with more than 40 in attendance on Tuesday, Feb. 28.
In closing the meeting and speaking of the 2023 goals of the organization, new Board President Carol Snodgress outlined the continued focus on housing issues and how to provide solutions to clients in need, possibly expanding services to outlying cities, strategic planning and envisioning a broader reach to households who need basic yet vital assistance in this tough economic climate.
New and incoming board members were installed by Redlands City Councilwoman Jenna Guzman Lowery. Celebrating a 125-year milestone, the historical organization continues to serve as a high-capacity safety net agency fighting hunger and homelessness in the region.
Outgoing Board President Lori Hatfield presented recognitions to the 2022 officers and committee chairs.
Executive Director Kyra Stewart, outlined the outcomes of the agency. Showing an increase in need, 2022 reported programming to 2,435 families, a substantial increase from 2021 in which 2,147 families were served.
The increase had a lot to do with the Housing Assistance and Advocacy programming as well as the emergency food drive-thru program that was developed during the start of the pandemic, rising inflation, high costs of housing and a lack of affordable housing stock attributes to the growing number of eligible families participating in services at the agency, she said.
In an effort to prevent homelessness, 200 families received 236 months of rent paid and 36 of those families were homeless at first point of contact. The families who were homeless, after seeking support from the organization, reported housing stabilization and being “out of crisis” after they worked with case managers at the agency.
“Housing numbers almost doubled in 2022,” said Stewart,
Due to an obvious shelter shortage in the area, homeless families receive motel vouchers in partnership with Family Service, 2-1-1, the local police and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s H.O.P.E. (Homeless Outreach and Proactive Enforcement) Team. More than 1200 vouchers were issued last year, keeping families safe and off the streets.
Further, addressing issues of food insecurity, a breakfast program provided more than 15,000 meals to the community administered at the campus at 612 Lawton Street in Redlands. The breakfast program is largely successful because of the volunteers who help run it. The agency counted over 500 volunteers and 12,000 hours of service last year.
