South County Outreach

South County Outreach is dedicated to serving low-income individuals and families in crisis in South Orange County.  South County Outreach helps those in crisis reach self-sufficiency by providing the following services: food, rental and utility assistance, homeless prevention counseling, housing, computer training, clothing and other seasonal programs.

South County Outreach was founded in 1989 as a nonprofit, non-sectarian organization providing comprehensive emergency services to individuals and families. South County Outreach founder, Ray Havert, was an inspiration to all that knew him. With an active Board of Directors and more than 250 regularly scheduled volunteers and 2,000 occasional volunteers, South County Outreach has served thousands of South Orange County families over the past 24 years.

Our History

In 1989, Saddleback Community Outreach was founded as a non-profit, non-sectarian organization providing emergency assistance to South Orange County residents.

Saddleback Community Outreach was founded by local businessman, Ray Havert. Ray, with the aid of volunteers, conducted food drives and opened a food pantry to assist families and seniors in need.

In the first year of operation Saddleback Community Outreach assisted over 1,500 families. By the second year, the number of families seeking services doubled. In 1991, in order to meet this increasing demand, Saddleback Community Outreach relocated to a facility with a warehouse and office space. In addition, Saddleback Community Outreach expanded emergency services to include rental and utility assistance.

As a community leader, Saddleback Community Outreach has developed programs to address the needs of our less fortunate neighbors. In 1994, in response to the growing number of homeless families, Saddleback Community Outreach developed a transitional housing program.

In 1999, Saddleback Community Outreach created a Computer Learning Lab to help unemployed and underemployed residents improve their computer skills, helping individuals compete for jobs that pay a livable wage.

Like most non-profits, Saddleback Community Outreach struggles to raise funds to support our programs. In 2001, Saddleback Community Outreach opened Upscale Resale Thrift Store to support the mission and provide clothing to those in crisis.

In 2004, Saddleback Community Outreach was re-named South County Outreach to reflect the growing South Orange County community. In addition, our Program Offices & Food Pantry relocated from Laguna Hills to a larger, centrally located facility in Lake Forest.

With the support of community organizations, businesses and individuals, South County Outreach has grown to a $3.2 million dollar organization. In 2013, South County Outreach distributed almost one million pounds of food and provided 58,836 services to 9,400 South Orange County residents.