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ABOUT

Lifelines Assistance

Lifelines Assistance helps neighbors in need as they weather a period of crisis and move toward self-sufficiency. We guide clients in navigating the often complex network of social service programs; we connect them with resources through referrals to a broad range of providers across OC; and we provide financial assistance to qualified applicants, supporting housing, food, and transportation, as well as Jewish burial.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Our team is experiencing an influx of client inquiries. Due to this high volume, our response time may be longer than usual. Rest assured that we are working diligently to address each inquiry on a first-come, first-served basis. We understand the importance of your inquiries and acknowledge any inconvenience caused by the delay. Please bear with us as we navigate through the increased demand. We sincerely apologize for any delays in our response and appreciate your patience and understanding during this busy period.

Please note that the Jewish Federation phone number is not a crisis hotline or staffed – you will need to leave a voicemail. 

  • If you are having an immediate medical or mental health emergency or if a suicide attempt is imminent, call 911. 
  • If you are experiencing a social service emergency, call 211. If you are struggling and need someone to talk to, NAMI’s OC Warmline is available 24/7 to call, text, or chat anytime: 714-991-6412. 

Helpful Resources

Employment

America Works Information

Senior Community Service Employment Program

Integrate

Ability Jobs

Food Resources

Project Food Box

Orange County Food Resources

Mental Health

Be Well OC

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services

Support for Seniors

Age Well Senior Services

Age Well supports the health and well-being of seniors in Orange County by providing services, programs, community involvement, and transportation.

Visit their website here.

Council on Aging Southern California

Whether you are facing a crisis with a parent or loved one, or in need of assistance in navigating the aging experience, the Council on Aging is here to help.

Learn about the free services we offer older adults and their families in your community. The Council on Aging – Southern California has been a trusted nonprofit organization since 1973. We provide unbiased information, programs, and services to more than 100,000 seniors and disabled adults annually across Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Inyo and Mono counties.

Visit their website here.

Front Porch

Live well and age well — anywhere you call home.

Front Porch is a nonprofit that specializes in senior living communities and programs. We believe in helping individuals fortify their own health and purpose by building strong and engaging communities, connecting people with the services and relationships they need to thrive, and providing compassionate support.

Visit their website here.

Helping Hands Senior Foundation

They offer a free care planning service to seniors of any income, insurance, and/or health condition. Our caring staff can help you learn about great healthcare resources, housing with assistance for low-income/disabled seniors, senior care in Reseda, Los Angeles, and many other great programs to help you improve your quality of life.

Visit their website here.

Independence At Home

Laguna Beach Seniors at The Susi Q

Their mission is to enhance the lives of seniors through services, programs and advocacy that promote
independence, wellness and community.

Office on Aging

Visit Orange County's Office on Aging website here.

ReConnect

If you’re an adult aged 60 or above, we salute you for making important contributions to society.

Sometimes life can distance us from loved ones, friends, and colleagues – you are not alone! We’d like to introduce you to the ReConnect Early Intervention Services for Older Adults (EIOSA) Program.

ReConnect offers confidential, no-cost, short-term, comprehensive services to Orange County residents ages 60 and above who may be experiencing emotional challenges or overall health barriers, particularly those appearing later in life. Staying vital and connected can help you ward off the loneliness that often comes with aging.

Visit their website here.

Sally's Fund

We are a nonprofit that offers an array of free and low-cost weekday transportation and supportive services for Laguna Beach's older residents and individuals of all ages with disabilities. 

Our trained drivers provide clients with assisted and escorted door-to-door transportation to medical and other appointments within a 30-mile radius, food and grocery delivery, and more.

Visit their website here.

Senior Resource Guide

Community Resource Guide

Equus Workforce Solutions Community Resource Guide

Adults with Disabilities

Braille Insitute

At Braille Institute, we have always provided 100% FREE services for people of all ages who are experiencing vision loss. Through our individual and small groups programs, students and patrons learn new ways to do the things they love.

View Their Website

Legal Assistance

Community Legal Aid SoCal

Community Legal Aid SoCal fights injustice and advocates for social, economic, and racial equity by providing compassionate, holistic, and impactful legal services.

Visit their website here.

Elder Law and Disability Rights Center

Through advocacy, education, and the provision of free and low-cost legal services, the ELDR Center strives to ensure dignity and justice for members of our communities who are elderly, living with disabilities, or experiencing homelessness. 

Low-income seniors and people with disabilities are among the fastest-growing vulnerable populations falling into a gap in our justice system.  We have an obligation to ensure our community can live with dignity and independence regardless of income. 

Visit their website here.

Fair Housing Orange County

They foster diversity in housing through education and enforcement of state and federal Fair housing laws.

Visit their website here.

Orange County Bar Association Lawyer Referral & Information Service

The OCBA’s Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS) is the only non-profit legal referral service in Orange County sponsored by the OCBA. It has been referring callers to some of Orange County’s finest attorneys for over 50 years. LRIS panel attorneys have expertise in 35 areas of the law. Each call is carefully screened by trained representatives to assure referral to the right attorney. Prospective clients receive a free brief consultation to review the legal issue and discuss fees.

Visit their website here.

Orange County Legal Aid & Pro Bono Services

Visit their website here.

Public Law Center

The Public Law Center is a pro-bono law firm that provides access to justice for low-income residents of Orange County.

Visit their website here.

Veterans Legal Institute

Veterans Legal Institute® (VLI) provides pro bono legal assistance to homeless, at risk, disabled and low income current and former service members to eradicate barriers to housing, healthcare, education, and employment and foster self-sufficiency.

Visit their website here.

Donate Goods

Jewish Federation of Orange County is not accepting donated goods for clients in need. Some of our callers ask if there is a Jewish organization to which they can donate clothes; we are not aware of any Jewish organizations in Orange County that collect clothing donations. Please consider donating your items to one of these local organizations, and mention that you were referred by Jewish Federation.

Donate Clothing

Working Wardrobes

Accepts women’s/men’s clothing and accessories appropriate for work environment. Provides workforce readiness services to women, men and veterans.

Visit their site here

Locations:
Irvine - 714.210.2460.

Savers (Value Village)

Accepts clothing, furniture & household items. 

Locations:
Anaheim - 714.254.1424
Laguna Hills - 844.799.2050
Santa Ana - 844.799.2050
Fountain Valley - 714.963.0425
Yorba Linda - 714.854.9961

Women Helping Women

Accepts women’s/men’s clothing, accessories and toiletries. WHW provides job seekers with resources, skills and training.

Locations:
Costa Mesa - 949.631.1287
Fullerton - 714.870.5300
Laguna Niguel - 949.448.5180
Santa Ana - 949.631.2333.

Donate Food

Families Forward

When a family doesn’t have enough food – the most basic human need – stability in other areas is impossible. At Families Forward, we provide food to struggling families. Currently, the Families Forward food pantry serves over 6,000 low-income individuals each year. Families Forward relies almost entirely on community donations to feed these local families. Click here for a list of our most needed food items.

Visit their site here

Donate Furniture

Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Long Beach and Orange County (JFCS)

JFCS’ Heart to Home program collects new mattresses and bedding, and gently-used furniture and essential household items, to furnish refugee newcomers’ homes.

Visit their site here

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Accepts home improvement items and furniture in good condition. Does not accept clothing or linens. 

Visit their site here

Locations:
Anaheim & Santa Ana
714.434.6202

GET IN TOUCH

How to Contact Lifelines Assistance

Reach out to us by email: 

Assist@JFedOC.org

In your email, provide your name, telephone number, and a brief summary of your situation. The Case Manager will respond to schedule a time for a telephone meeting to learn more about your need. Our Case Manager will advise you on next steps after the initial telephone or email communication.

Reach out to us by phone:

949-435-3484, ext. 366

The Case Manager will return your call during assistance business hours which are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Please note that we return calls in the order received, and that there may be unavoidable delays in responding to you, due to high call volume.

To ensure we can call you back, speak slowly and clearly, and provide (1) your name, (2) your telephone number, and (3) a very brief message on the kind of assistance you seek:

Example 1: My name is Sarah Schwartz, my phone number is XXX-XXX-XXXX, I need a caregiver for my mom.

Example 2: My name is John Robertson, my phone number is XXX-XXX-XXXX, I’m looking for affordable senior housing.

Please do not leave a lengthy message as there is a time limit on voicemail. We will obtain more detail from you in a phone interview when we call you back.