Foothill Unity Center, Inc.

Foothill Unity Center has been an incredible resource in our community, providing essential services with compassion and dedication. Their team is always welcoming, ensuring that everyone feels supported and valued. The food distribution program, in particular, has made a significant difference for families, offering a reliable source of nutrition. It's inspiring to see the level of care they put into their work, going above and beyond to meet the needs of those they serve. I truly appreciate all they do to uplift and empower the community!

Foothill Unity Center is a non-profit organization based in Monrovia, California, providing essential services and support to individuals and families in need within the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding communities.


Mission Statement:
Foothill Unity Center's mission is to provide critical support services, resources, and advocacy to vulnerable populations, promoting self-sufficiency, dignity, and community integration.


Services:

1. Food Bank
2. Health and Wellness Programs
3. Housing Assistance
4. Employment Services
5. Education and Training
6. Youth Programs
7. Senior Services
8. Disaster Relief


Focus Areas:

1. Poverty Alleviation
2. Homelessness Prevention
3. Health and Nutrition
4. Education and Employment
5. Community Building


Impact:
Foothill Unity Center serves over 12,000 individuals annually, providing:


· 1.5 million pounds of food
· 10,000 health and wellness services
· 5,000 housing assistance interventions
· 2,000 employment services


Partnerships:
Foothill Unity Center collaborates with local government agencies, schools, churches, businesses, and community organizations to leverage resources and expertise.


Volunteer Opportunities:
Foothill Unity Center relies on volunteers to help with:


· Food sorting and distribution
· Health fairs and screenings
· Job training and mentorship
· Youth programs and activities


Donations:
Monetary contributions, food, clothing, and household items are welcome.


Contact Information:

· Phone: (626) 358-3486
· Email: info@(link unavailable)
· Website: (link unavailable)
· Address: 415 W. Chestnut Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016


Foothill Unity Center plays a vital role in supporting vulnerable populations in the San Gabriel Valley. If you'd like to learn more or get involved, please visit their website or contact them directly.

Foothill Unity Centers are a very impactful origination here in the San Gabriel Valley. Both Centers (Monrovia and Pasadena) interact with numerous programs with internship and training trainees in anticipation of preparation for to new job and career. The centers have been offered extensive servers for families and individuals in need of food and provide the homeless with resources and assistance.

I attended the back to school event at Foothill Unity Center and it was truly amazing to receive so many items to get ready for school. Kids had a great time during the vent as there were also things to do there. Everyone was very friendly and very helpful.

I have first hand seen all that Foothill Unity Center does and has to offer our communities. Never turning anyone away and offering resources for all. In these times where there are so many suffering from food insecurity, it is a blessing to see how our communities are helped by this amazing organization.
Thank you Tashera and Staff for all you do.

Proud Board Member
Cruz Baca

From a modest start as a food bank in a local church closet, Foothill Unity Center has grown over the years into one of the most effective, respected and successful organizations, addressing the issues of food insecurity, homeless prevention, health services, and so much more. This is made possible by the huge hearts of our volunteers, donors and tireless staff. I am so proud to be a Board member at Foothill Unity. No one who needs our help is ever turned away. I hope you find it in your heart to give generously to an organization that helps keep so many from a life of despair.

What a terrific program! So glad that I got to be a part of it.

This opportunity to serve my community was an invaluable experience, and one that I absolutely was honored to be apart of. I absolutely would recommend those seeking to provide aid in the future to support this program, and I also will recommend this program to those I know who could benefit.

Every year my husband and I participate in the Back to School event put on by Foothill Unity. And every year we are astonished by the number of items the children receive and the number of children who pass through our shoe booth. This year we saw some new families from Eastern Europe. One stood out to me. A young mother came by, and I told her I would be giving her a $40.00 gift certificate for her child. Head down, I asked her where she was from, "Ukraine," she whispered. As she looked up and reached for the gift certificate, there were tears in her eyes. My heart in my throat, I was overwhelmed by her gratitude and so proud of Foothill Unity and all the generous contributors who could give this woman's child a brand new pair of shoes. Maybe their first pair. Something so simple as new shoes for school, that we take for granted, meant so much to this young woman. Thank you, Foothill Unity, for all you do - for every mother and every child who can put their best foot forward because of you.

Six years ago I began volunteering at Foothill Unity Centers Back to School event. Each year I look forward to this day, as I know how much joy and happiness it brings to the families that participate in this program. Foothill Unity does a great job of bringing the community together to help others less fortunate and I am proud to be a part of this volunteer experience each year.

Foothill Unity Center has increased their help to the community exponentially during and following the pandemic. They are committed to partnering with businesses to provide the best services to their clients. The staff works tirelessly to make these efforts come to life. They are an amazing organization and huge asset to the communities they serve!

Foothill Unity Center is a great non-profit organization. They treat their clients with great respect. They are always looking for ways to improve and expand their service to those in need.

Foothill Unity Center is critical to our nearby cities, providing food, access to healthcare and housing assistance every day to low-income neighbors. But the Center’s community-wide events are the showstoppers. The Center’s recent Back-to-School event at the Santa Anita Racetrack served approximately 1,000 kids with backpacks, school supplies, health screenings, clothing, haircuts & manicures, and community services. It’s exciting and heartwarming to volunteer alongside company teams, civic groups, volunteering neighbors, local merchants, student nurses and cosmetology students, and the tireless Staff from the Center. We are fortunate that Foothill Unity Center educates all of us on the value of serving the community, in addition to helping people stay healthy and stay in their homes.

My mom received services from this place when I was about 13. If it wasn’t for Foothill Unity Center we would’ve not survived. They helped us with food, Christmas, and back to school. I got to experience working here under a paid work training that was through a welfare program back in 2015 and I was so happy to be part of both sides of helping others and getting help myself! I now live in the San Fernando Valley and wish I can receive similar services like Foothill Unity Center gives. They are absolutely amazing!

As a donor, I am impressed with the large variety of services offered to the community. They not only feed the community, they have health and dental services, resources to help place clients in temporary and permanent housing, back to school events for the children, holiday food distributions and holiday gifts for the children. I know over 90% of my donation is going towards these services and events. San Gabriel Valley is very lucky to have Foothill Unity Center as a resource.

I have volunteered with Foothill Unity Center since 2015. Every person I have met there; Department heads, Associates and volunteers have a commitment to the mission statement of helping neighbors in crisis attain self-sufficiency. They work with their hearts, and with a smile. Every day they provide services to the community, including food, health, and job development. But it is in the holidays that they shine, making every holiday special, especially Christmas when they provide everything necessary for a happy Christmas and that includes toys, books and clothes for children. It is an honor and a privilege to help support Foothill Unity Center.

Foothill Unity Center has a tag line that says “Helping people. Changing Lives”. The difference with Foothill Unity Center is everyone that works there, from the CEO to the newest volunteer, embodies those words. Clients, existing and new, are welcomed with genuine smiles and eagerness to help.

One day while I was shopping at a department store for clothes for children for the Holiday distribution, the sales person that was helping me told me that Foothill Unity Center saved her family when she was young. The sales associate excused herself to go talk to her manager. It turns our she convinced her manager to bring out items which were to go on sale in a few days immediately so I could take advantage of the discounts to buy the clothes I needed. The sales associate, and her manager, told me they volunteered at Foothill Unity Center because of all the good they do in the community.

Many volunteers are people that Foothill Unity Center has helped in the past and they say they always planned to be a volunteer as they got older: Another example of Helping People and Changing Lives.

As a Volunteer during the annual Back to School event where school age children are given the supplies they need to start the new school year, it is not unusual to have parents come up to thank you for volunteering and tell you stories about how much Foothill Unity has done for their families. This fun and festive event is another example of Helping People and Changing Lives.

No matter the crisis that presents itself, Foothill Unity Center develops a plan to help those in need. Through an army of volunteers and donors that are dedicated to this incredible organization’s way of Helping People and Changing Lives, they always find a way to meet the need of the community they serve.

I am proud to be a donor and volunteer for Foothill Unity Center. This is an organization that deserves the financial support of everyone who cares about their community. Volunteering at Foothill Unity Center enriches your life and allows you an opportunity to be part of Helping People and Changing Lives – nothing could be more rewarding than that!

The Foothill Unity Center is an organization that truly makes a significant difference to those who are in need in our community. Not only do they provide food that is healthy, including fresh vegetables and fruit, but they have both a dental and eye service for children. They assist people in finding places to live and work, and also provide medical exams for the homeless. One of their greatest contributions to the community is "The Back to School" event in August. As a participant in this event, I have personally seen the difference it makes for students from kindergarten through college. They are given the supplies they need for school success, as well as clothing, and even haircuts.

Tues 25 Oct 2022 2:04 pm
Foothill Unity Food Bank Staff,
I wish to thank all the wonderful staff who have always treated me in a very kind and respectable manner. I am so very grateful that this food distribution center exist to help me and so many, many people out in our time of need. I am very appreciative for all of the healthy and good food that I have received; moreover, for feeding my precious little dog and my precious little bird. I think all of you are angels sent from Heaven. My little Chihuahua Mr. Crackerjack Belokosa told me, mommy please, be sure and thank the veterinarian for cutting his nails and giving me my shots, and feeding my big brother , Peppermint, my Dove. Mr. Crackerjacker told me mommy, ask if the Food Bank gets food to feed his little brother, Botheius, my beta fish. My little family all thank the staff and everyone for helping me to survive in my financially stressed time of need. Thank Bob, the cab driver, for delivering me food when I was unable to come and pick it up myself due to my illness. Again I am so very grateful, and I love all of you because you are God's angels doing God's work to help all of us who are God's children survive, so we can thrive one day. When that day come we may help someone else and continue to do God's work here on earth, May God bless all of you forever.
Ms. Belokosa

Foothill Unity Center provides food to prevent hunger; training
to help individuals be healthy, physically, financially, and mentally; take care of their basic needs and have fruitful lives. We treat persons with dignity and respect.

I am a new donor to Foothill Unity Center. I have been very impressed with the quality of their staff and Board. Their work around homelessness is essential. They do so many worthwhile things for the community! I was very comfortable supporting them and urge others to do so too.
Karin Hanson

Foothill Unity Center's commitment to providing goods and services that are proven to be effective and efficient is the reason for why families are thriving and overcoming their difficulties.

During my own time of crisis the strength of this organization became my strength, and I was able to overcome my challenges with their support and care.

I’ve been involved with Foothill Unity for a couple of years, first just by helping my wife to deliver food from our temple, and later, after she passed away, as a volunteer helping to sort donated food for distribution to clients. I live in a nice home in a nice Monrovia neighborhood, and I was stunned on my first day when I saw two of my neighbors (from different households) waiting in line for food distribution. It brought home for me how important organizations like Foothill Unity are for the community, not just for food, but also for counseling and crisis management, connecting people to medical care and helping with emergency housing. They are one of the largest food organizations in the region and provide help to hundreds of individuals or families every week.

Foothill Unity Center does an amazing job helping the needy in the community. They do so much with donations, volunteers and staff.

Foothill Unity Center, Inc. id dedicated and committed to serving the people within the San Gabriel area who need help with food and shelter. I have been associated with this group for more than ten years and cannot imagine what it would be like without them.

The Foothill Unity Center is a wonderful organization that adds significant value to the lives of so many in the San Gabriel Valley region. As Superintendent of Schools for the Duarte Unified School District, I have seen the positive impacts of the Back to School events as well as the Mobile Dental Clinic on our scholars' lives. Community-based organizations like Foothill Unity bridge the gap for so many of our community members to offer support and critical resources when they are so desperately needed. I am proud to serve alongside Foothill Unity as they work to make our community better!

As a multi-service agency, Foothill Unity Center serves as the region’s primary provider of integrated services that help individuals and families move out of poverty to reach economic stability. Even during the COVID19 crisis, Foothill Unity Center remains the "Heart of Hope" in our community, adapting and enhancing its services so that all of our neighbors in need can be served and supported with love, dignity and respect. Foothill Unity Center's staff, volunteers, and donors have been able to overcome these challenging times and unprecedented obstacles to bring hope for a brighter future to thousands.

During the last two years the impact of the Foothill Unity Center has been immense in our community. During the COVID-19 Pandemic the center has increased its support of the food insecure, housing insecure and those who need basic medical screening by more than 7 times their normal client base. Through compassion, dignity, and respect the Foothill Unity Center has changed the lives of thousands of San Gabriel Valley residents! The Foothill Unity Center has never been more important as it continues to assist those in need in our community.

My wife told me about the amazing amount of community outreach Foothill Unity Center accomplished and after watching their yearly awards event, I was so impressed, I have decided to volunteer. As a kid who wore hand-me-downs, I remembered the embarrassment of wearing old clothes, And I was especially touched and happy for kids being given new uniforms for school. Especially new shoes.

The Foothill Unity Center (FUCI) is a wonderful organization committed to helping members of the local community in need with many resources and services. They are a dedicated group of individuals and volunteers who espouse the organization’s “Heart of Change” motto!
Working with my daughter and the Director of Development, we first became involved with Foothill Unity Center in 2013, to benefit their mission and support my daughter’s Girl Scout Gold Award project. She organized community volunteers to harvest locally grown produce to benefit needy families. FUCI was the only food bank/pantry in the area to accept perishable donations and include them as healthy additions to the usual canned and dried goods. This is definitely a step above other food banks!
Through this experience, I quickly became very fond of their mission and compassion. For the past 7 years, my family volunteers regularly at many of their major annual events and distributions. I personally donate time and money and apply for my company to donate financially to FUCI in recognition of my annual volunteer hours/commitment.

Santa Anita Park, located in the city of Arcadia in the San Gabriel Valley, has a backside population of 750 people who work with the Thoroughbred race horses each and every day. Many of these backsiders are in need, especially in the time of the pandemic. Foothill Unity Center provides a weekly food distribution in the stable area for 50 to 100 of the backside workers. FUC works in conjunction with the racetrack's chaplain to the food items to people who really need it, no questions asked. This is a blessing for our workers.

I have taken the opportunity to volunteer for Foothill Unity on different occasions and I'm so glad that I did. A few times at the 'back to school' event , healthfair and Christmas time food donations. Each time I must say that I was the recipient of the rewards.
It was a wonderful experience, very organized and efficiently run. It was so well put together, all you need to do is show up and perform your task. The blessings and benefits of serving others is the reward of volunteering for a wonderful organization that makes a difference in peoples lives. I highly recommend reaching out to volunteer for Foothill....it makes you FEEL Good and it helps others.

I am a recent member of the FUCI Board and after joining was appointed to be the representative of Assembly Member Chris Holden on the Board. The nature and quality of services provided (food bank, housing and clinical) are essential to residents living in 11 cities in the San Gabriel Valley. The effective delivery of services during this COVID pandemic phase of our lives is even more critical, when so many are in need. The Board is composed of talented and dedicated community and business and client focused individuals. The FUCI Staff is diligent, resourceful, talented and compassionate. All of these factors along with incredible support from volunteers, community representatives and organizations makes the successful delivery of critical services possible. I’m honored to be involved.

This year during COVID-19, Foothill Unity Center has been vitally important to people in trouble. The Center has distributed food daily -- putting food in people’s cars as they line up at the Center, delivering food to seniors and disabled folks who are home-bound, and providing food bags for the homeless. Throughout the pandemic, the Center’s housing program continues to place homeless families in motels, helps prevent evictions and helps homeless people find permanent housing. Folks can get healthcare assistance and job search help over the phone and online.

One story among many: The police, accompanied by a local Chaplain, brought 19-year old X to Foothill Unity Center last spring. X was homeless and had to complete court ordered community service. The Center’s case worker immediately provided food, established relationships with X’s probation officer and his court appointed mentor, and was able to find temporary housing for X in a nearby motel. As he settled into the motel, X started his community service working in the warehouse at the Center. The Center’s staff provided training on food handling and storage, and helped X adjust to the responsibilities required to be successful at work and life. X has now moved on and started college.

I’ve been volunteering with Foothill Unity Center for a few years now, helping with the Back to School distribution, as well as volunteering in the Development department. Being part of such a critical organization, in such a chaotic and stressful time, has made a big difference in my life as a volunteer, and has made life saving differences for those in need in our community. We’re all lucky to have Foothill Unity Center in our community!

The team commits to its community, making sure to take care of the people who come in with dignity and compassion.

Foothill Unity Center is a non-profit organization that has provided life-changing support to the underserved in the San Gabriel Valley for nearly 40 years.

The Center was founded in 1980 as an emergency food pantry operating out of a church in Monrovia, California. Since then, the Center has become a multi-service agency that is the primary provider of integrated health and social services to vulnerable children, families, seniors, home-bound, and homeless clients. Its core programs are: Food, Health, Crisis Case Management, Housing and Homeless, Job Development, and Volunteer Services. The Center annually serves over 6,500 individuals who live below the national poverty line.

As such, Foothill Unity Center is a key component in the fight against hunger, homelessness, and poverty in our region. The impactful work the Center does on a daily basis serves to fulfill its mission to help neighbors move out of poverty and towards self-sufficiency.

The people there are compassionate, hard working and knowledgeable. Determined to make a difference for the vulnerable in our community.

I was helping a client of Foothill Unity Center. I came into the facility to help her, I was shocked at the treatment the client we're getting. Not only by the staff but the volunteers as well.

The treatment was the up most respect, it was beautiful. The client are treated with dignity.

I saw each person greeted with a smile.

My personal story about Foothill Unity Center, I'm not a client but I know a board member which I didn't know she was a board member. Anyway I hurt my back and was unable to move. I live alone and I'm 64 years young. I get a call that someone was going to deliver some food, the she called me back to let me know her husband was going to be coming, so I wouldn't be alarmed when a man walks in my house.
I thought I recognize her voice but I wasn't sure, come to find out it was the Executive Director Betty.

I felt so bad because I felt like I was taking food from people that needed their services.

The box of food that was given to me was food that I could put in the microwave, so I didn't have to cook.

I then found out that they delivered to people that are shut ins as well as one timers like myself.

I really didn't know the scope of all the work that they do in serving the community until that day and helping one of their clients.

I tell everyone I know to support the center.

I also had the privilege to be at both site Monrovia and Pasadena.

I think some people just come to see smiling faces and to be treated with respect.

Foothill Unity Center is a pillar in the northwest San Gabriel Valley, and provides valuable services to the safety-net in the area. As an employee at ChapCare, a local community health center network and community partner, I have seen firsthand the valuable services that Foothill Unity Center provides to the community, including food, case management/crisis help, and access to health care resources, among others. The organization also operates a mobile dental clinic each year with the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. I give Foothill Unity Center my highest recommendation, and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.

Foothill Unity Center is that rare resource: a single place where local people in need can get food, case management/crisis help and access to health care resources without a daunting search from agency to agency. The caring, expert and highly networked staff works miracles every week -- and treats each client with a level of love and dignity that often surprises first-time visitors accustomed to less. The Center's huge volunteer staff and its long list of honors reflect one fact: this is a solution that works.

I have been volunteering at Foothill Unity Center for over 10 years and have found the experience rewarding as a volunteer! In addition, I've witnessed the positive impacts the services have had on the client and families. If they don't provide the service for whatever reason, they find a way to direct or connect people to help. Outstanding organization, outstanding staff!!!

My association with the Foothill Unity Center has been as a volunteer for the past seven years (five as co-chair) for the Center’s annual Angel Project. When a family registers its children from infancy to 17 years old, a colorfully decorated angel is made out for each child with information on age, size, and wishes. The angels are “adopted” and appropriate gifts are brought to the Center. The Elf Committee then sets to work filling bags containing two items of clothing, two toys, and two books for each child. Last season Foothill Unity Center filled bags for over 500 families with 1400 children. I think the far-reaching impacr of this project is best illustrated by the words and tears of some of the recipients: a mother telling us that our bags were the only Christmas her family had a few years ago and now she wanted to adopt an angel for another family, a grandfather’s tears as he realized on distribution day that his grandson’s wish for a fishing rod had been fulfilled. The Foothill Unity Center looks on those it serves less as clients and more as family.

I volunteered with the Foothill Unity Center’s “Back to School Day” this year. I’d like to commend the organizers because the event was so well planned with consideration for both the families and volunteers. I worked the shoe station and the kids came through in an orderly fashion with badges and I was able to check them off easily and quickly. There was a convenient food and drink station for the volunteers and people came around with water to be sure on this very hot day that we stayed hydrated.



In addition to being a fun-filled day, it was heartwarming. Giving children a gift certificate for a new pair of shoes always got a response. It didn’t seem to matter what age, gender - whatever the child was, when I handed them (or their mother) the gift card they were thrilled. We don’t realize how something we consider so small can mean so much to an under privileged child. And, we had so many children – over one-thousand - who passed our way and the looks of gratitude and Thank Yous I received filled my heart with joy.



I was proud to be a part of the Foothill Unity Center’s “Back to School Day” event and plan to volunteer again next year. Bravo for a job well done for the community!

I am very proud to serve on the Board at Foothill Unity, which does so much good work in our community, from providing nutritious food to the needy, giving access to health services, housing referrals, social services and so much more. But at Foothill Unity, our staff does not just give handouts - they offer help and hope with respect and loving care for our clients. We have the most dedicated, inspired and professional staff around. This all costs money, but thankfully, out of every dollar raised, 93¢ is spent on programs, showing how well-run Foothill Unity is under the excellent stewardship of our Executive Director, Betty McWilliams. Foothill Unity is in very good fiscal condition due to the diligence of the board and the officers who make it their mission to preserve capital so we can continue for many years to fulfill our mission of helping people change their lives.

I have volunteered at Foothill Unity Center since I retired 7 years ago. I have had so many wonderful experiences and witnessed so many touching stories it is hard to pick just one. My two favorite events are the Annual Back to School event and the Holiday Distribution. I am fortunate enough to be the Volunteer Co-Chair of the Back to School event and one of the “Elves” that gets the thousands of donated toys, clothes and books ready for the families.

Back to School is an event that helps Foothill Unity Center clients be ready for the school year on an even par with their peers: All of the over 1,000 children receive a new backpack, underwear, socks, clothing, age appropriate school supplies, shoe vouchers, manicures and haircuts, a new book of their choice, dental, vision and hearing screening – they also have colleges and apprenticeship programs in attendance to talk about what can be in their future. There is nothing like seeing the look on a 5-year old’s face when they get to pick their very first backpack; watching the face of middle and high school children as they browse through the many choices of clothing for just the right outfit; watching a young boy describe just the way he wants his hair cut or the joy on the face of a young girl with a beautiful new hair style and a manicure. Perhaps more than that, is the relief on the faces of the parents as they know their children will have what they need to start the new school year.

The Holiday Distribution is made possible by the hundreds of generous people throughout the Foothill Unity Center service area that adopt “Angels”. These angels have all the information about a child – their sizes, their interests, their favorite color, what books they like and their favorite music. In putting together the toys, clothing, books and games for the families, I have seen generosity that brings me to tears. One year a 17-year-old boy asked for a sewing machine. Not only did one of the donors get him a sewing machine, they gave him everything he needed to sew – material, pins, needles, bobbins, etc. I was absolutely amazed. I was very glad all of that was in a box so my tears of joy didn’t fall on it. Another time a young boy asked for a guitar and his wish was granted. It’s hard to hide a guitar when you put it in the big bag with the other items for the family so the neck of the guitar was wrapped, but still stuck out of the bag. I happened to be the “Elf” that handed the bag to the parents on Distribution Day. The father looked at me with tears in his eyes and asked if that was a guitar. It still brings tears to my eyes when I recall shaking my head as I handed the bag to him – I couldn’t speak to say yes because I was too choked up. We both had a good cry as we hugged before he walked away with his bag.

Being a volunteer is a rewarding endeavor. You get to help those in need to be sure, but what you receive far outweighs anything you do for others. I have been blessed to witness the way Foothill Unity Center serves their clients with dignity and respect; I have met so many dedicated volunteers who give their time in service to others and I have seen the generosity of others who donate to those less fortunate. I knew I wanted to volunteer when I retired - I didn’t know I would be lucky enough to find an organization as wonderful as Foothill Unity Center. This organization is filled with staff that works tirelessly every day to make the lives of their clients better. My life, and the world, is a better place because of Foothill Unity Center.

As the program director for an agency serving developmentally disabled adults, part of my job was to find volunteer work for my clients in their local community. The Unity Center director and staff always welcomed my clients as volunteers and found meaningful tasks for them to do. My disabled clients felt needed and important, which was not always the case at other nonprofit organizations.
I appreciate that the Unity Center staff see their mission as not just serving their own clients but also making a diverse group of volunteers feel welcome and useful.

First of all I am a volunteer, former staff member, and will always have the Foothill Unity Center in my heart. I first came to them as a single mom on welfare with very little work experience. I meet Betty Mc Williams she interviewed me and put me to work the following week. When i got there people didn't know where i was suppose to work at so the volunteer that usually pulls files didn't show up so that is where they put me. I had no experience and didn't know what the heck i was suppose to do but i keep up with the fast pace distrubution and impressed the volunteer that i worked with. From then on that is where i worked. When my termed ened with the center they found me a program that gave me paid work experience and I could still be able to work there. I completed that program and at the end of term I was walking out to leave to get married and Betty and Joan called me in the office and told me when I got back from getting married I had a job with them. I was so happy i cried. I loved working for the center. I worked at the center as the client services assitant and did all client intakes and aprovals. I updated all client files at the time of updating. I helped find homeless shelter and helped people get into their OWN place to live. I have experiences amazing miracles at the center. I was the staff member that was chosen to open the Pasadena Unity Center along with Aids Service Center at the time. I was honorned that they would trust me with such a huge responsiblilty. Well Unforutnally I had to relocate far away due to unfourtate circumstances with my now ex husband. I still drive over 2 hours just to come volunteer at the center. I owe everthing that I am to the Betty and Joan who cared and nourtured me to the person I am today and the Job skills that i obtained from them to get the position that I have today. With out them I don't know where I would be. They have helped me financally, emotionally and also provided me with services when i was in need. I have also meet the man that I am going to marry today at the center. He came in homeless and hungry, No where to go and I signed him up for services and told him about some shelters to go. He came in every monday wednesday and friday to get food and see me. We lost contact and reconnected now engaged to be married. He also is so very grateful to the center for the hand up not a hand out. They didn't treat him any less cause he was homeless. I owe everything to the center I still and always will consider the center my job! I even have my current job doing fundrasiers for the center and geting dr's to volunteer his services for the back to school event this year. I Love everything about the center and wishes they had more people to help and i know very well that they are UNDERSTAFFED and OVERWHELMED.

As a single parent of 3 young children, Foothill Unity as come to my rescue. By giving me food each month, my children and I are able to eat. When the back to school event is on, my children are able to receive all the items needed for their grades, items I can not afford to get them. During the holidays there is a Thanksgiving and a Christmas giveaway. My family would not be able to eat turkey with the fixings if it were not for the Unity Center. Presents and a tree are not duable during the holiday season. This center gives more than I could ever say, my children and I are very thankful for this center. I have been here in this place for about 4 yrs,times are only getting harder but thanks to the wonderful things the staff and the center do for me, I am able to survive.

After diligent research and fact finding, I chose to make Foothill Unity Center one of two primary organizations I'd support (outside of of my church.) Foothill Unity Center has been in the community for 30 years and I've witnessed first-hand how they run their office, donation center and events. They spend very little on events and marketing and instead put 90%+ into the programs that serve the needy in the San Gabriel Valley. It is a bare-bones operation that makes it's number one priority meeting the needs of the underserved.

My husband and I have volunteered at the Foothill Unity school supply and Christmas gift distributions; it is amazing all the people who are helped so beautifully. Foothill Unity has a wonderful staff of people with great ideas and energy. They have given out so much clothing, food and other necessities and helped many people get back on their feet.

I volunteer with the toy drive and back to school events for the past several years. The look on the kid's faces when they receive toys, school supplies, new clothes is so wonderful. The parents eyes well up with tears of gratitude. It is the most rewarding feeling. The work of all that are involved with the Foothill Unity Center is so commendable. If I ever win the lottery I will be making the largest donation to the center because everything they do is heartfelt. I love them....!!!

I have a large selection of charities that help needy families however Foothill Unity seems to be able to get the absolute most use from what they receive, it's amazing how they can but $500 worth of groceries for ~$50-$60 using coupons, specials, 2 fors, etc. They are an absolute blessing to the neighborhoods they serve. Help them and you help many.

I could have selected a couple of categories as donor, volunteer and member of the public in the community...but donor spoke the most of my relationship with the Foothill Unity Center. The work done by the Foothill Unity Center stands head and shoulders above the rest. Not only do we donate as a family, but the Girl Scout troop I lead annually find ways to give - whether it is coloring the angels for gift requests at Christmas, or donating food or clothing or picking some of those angels off the tree at Christmastime to make some child's holiday brighter. When we give our time, money or donations to Foothill Unity Center there is never a doubt it is getting to the families the most in need. And in showing how well they serve children for Back to School, families at holiday times or providing food all year long - it helps me as a parent and a Girl Scout Leader show how important it is to give back. I also appreciate how generous they are with their time and energy, always interested in a new idea, a new way to help people, in my role on the School Board - our District was fortunate enough to be the recipient of their mobile dental clinic, hundreds of children from the community received much needed dental work and it would not have happened without Joan Whitnack and the staff of Foothill Unity Center. Their willingness to allow a Girl Scout troop come in to their facility and volunteer their time, teaching them about their Mission and day-to-day role in the lives of people most in need and how one person, one Girl Scout Troop can make a huge difference. Thank you to all The Foothill Unity Center for being the gold standard by which I consider other charitable organizations...great work!