Friends Outside—Orange County (Also, see Council of Orange County, Society of St. Vincent de Paul in “Homeless/Emergency Services” section.)
2525 N Grand Ave St N
Santa Ana, Ca 92705
Contact Name and Number:
Stephanie Consenz, Program Coordinator
(714) 288-5600
Services Offered:
Counseling referrals for emergency assistance and children’s activities for families of the incarcerated. Counseling, job placement, mentors, assistance in returning to school for at-risk youth. Counseling, job placement, referrals to rehab and other re-entry assistance for ex-offenders.
Short-term Volunteer Opportunities:
Help with holiday activities for children. Assist in registration for summer camp. (Please contact Maria Kwon at number given above.)
Long-term Volunteer Opportunities:
Act as mentor for at-risk teens. Be job coach for younger teens (12-16) who are learning odd jobs. (A little money earned makes a big difference for our most needy youth.)
Opportunities to Observe at Organization:
Not appropriate for a large group but may be able to accommodate individuals. Students may attend monthly Saturday morning car wash (kids keep the money).
Opportunities for On-site Informational Interview:
Contact any of the following at (714) 288-5600:
Stephanie Consenz, Program Director.
Joan O’Brien, At-Risk Youth Coordinator.
Hank Lamb, Adult Coordinator.
Class Speakers:
Contact either of the following at
(714) 836-8100:
Joan O’Brien would be willing to speak about at-risk youth, gang problems, how to impact kids’ lives for positive change.
Hank Lamb would be willing to speak about the needs and solutions concerning ex-offenders and re-entry into society.
One Day at a Time Ministries
1923 St. Andrew Place
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Contact Name and Number:
Gina Sear
(909) 031-7555
Services Offered:
Christian correspondence, parole plans (help locate half-way house or sober living home to which the inmate can parole), counseling, Bible study, provide family needs, such as clothing, food, and emergency assistance.
Short-term Volunteer Opportunities:
Yes. We would welcome short-term volunteers to help with the food bank. Please contact for an appointment. Also, can apply for Pen Pal Program, a correspondence program for inmates.
Long-term Volunteer Opportunities:
Same as above plus there is a possibility for long-term volunteers to go into the prisons with the prison team. It takes up to four months to get an approval from the institution. Also, subject to approval of President/Founder of organization.
Opportunities to Observe at Organization:
Yes. We would welcome students to visit; please call to make an appointment.
Opportunities for On-site Informational Interview:
Students may conduct an interview with Ray Gauger, President/Founder; please contact Gina Sear for an appointment. Also, may interview Gina Sear, Coordinator/Secretary.
Class Speakers:
Contact Gina Sear, Coordinator/Secretary, at (714) 557-8100. She is qualified to speak on topics regarding ministry and all the different areas we serve, such as the Pen Pal Program for inmates, prison ministry services—ministering to inmates, after-care, outreach Bible studies, locating home churches, locating half-way and sober living homes. She can also speak on the difficulties ex-offenders encounter in society and what we can do to make it easier for them.
Orange County Probation Department
909 N. Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Contact Name and Number:
Diane Mata
(714) 667-7711
Services Offered:
Administer juvenile and adult diversion programs, conduct investigations for adult and juvenile courts, provide counseling, guidance, and referral services to probationers. Operate Juvenile Hall and four other correctional institutions for juvenile offenders. Operate Work Furlough programs and a “House Arrest” program using electronic monitoring. As peace officers, conduct surveillance, undertake search and seizure actions, and make arrests.
Short-term Volunteer Opportunities:
Few, if any, opportunities available.
Long-term Volunteer Opportunities:
Need job training mentors and career counselors, escorts for youth furloughs and outings, volunteer probation officers, schoolwork mentoring, counselors and cooks at camp retreats, one-on-one visitation with a youth in a correctional institution, act as a mentor to a juvenile probationer, transport youth to counseling or interviews. Many volunteer opportunities require a six-month commitment.
Opportunities to Observe at Organization:
To observe, one must be a volunteer.
Opportunities for On-site Informational Interview:
Contact Diane Mata at (714) 667-7711
Class Speakers: Same as above.