Family Service Association is proud to announce it has been selected as a 2022 California Nonprofit of the Year by Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh. The Senator honored the agency at the State Capital on June 8, 2022.
For nearly 70 years, Family Service Association has addressed poverty, hunger, and health, from infancy to older adults, in families and underserved communities. FSA’s team members serve over 13,000 community members each year, through early education, trauma-informed mental health services, obtainable senior housing, support for home-bound individuals, safe senior/community centers, and nutritious meals for our seniors.
During the pandemic, when many organizations reduced services, FSA continued to operate to respond to the Inland Empire’s rapidly evolving needs. The agency expanded its Senior Nutrition Services, provided childcare for essential workers, offered mental health supports and increased community education to reduce stressors and prevent child abuse. The agency’s program participants doubled during the COVID closures and remains at these increased levels.
“Seeing a need in your community and then actively doing something about it speaks volumes of someone’s character. FSA’s founders did just that,” said Senator Ochoa Bogh. “Now, nearly 70 years later, FSA has grown into an essential and responsive non-profit that connects communities across Riverside and San Bernardino Counties with vital services. I am privileged to name them the 2022 Nonprofit of the year for Senate District 23.”
“As our region moves towards recovery, FSA’s team is especially concerned about the impact that post-pandemic inflation and rising gas prices are having on our program participants”, said Cheryl-Marie Hansberger, CEO of Family Service Association. “Families and seniors should not have to face impossible choices each month about whether to pay for food, rent, or their child care fees. I am proud of the dedication and hard work of FSA’s employees and volunteers and we are deeply humbled to be recognized by Senator Ochoa Bogh as her 2022 Nonprofit of the Year.”
Family Service Association’s award is a part of the 7th Annual California Nonprofits Day, which is jointly sponsored by members of the State Legislature and CalNonprofits. The nonprofit sector is the 4th largest industry in the state, employing more than 1.2 million people. Each year, California nonprofits generate more than $273 billion in revenue and bring in $40 billion in revenue from outside of California (Causes Count Report).
“Nonprofit organizations play such a critical role in our communities, and the last two years of the pandemic have only served to highlight that.” noted Jan Masaoka, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits), which serves as a partner for this awards program. “California Nonprofit of the Year gives elected officials the opportunity to shine a light on the important work nonprofits are doing in their districts and for everyone to appreciate the collective impact of nonprofits in our communities.”