Mission Statement
We empower low-income, limited-English proficient immigrant families to lead self-sufficient, independent lives.
Overview
Nonprofit Family Bridges, Inc. serves approximately 10,000 clients– principally monolingual and LEP Asian-language speaking, moderate-to-low income, East Bay residents. Programs include the Hong Fook Community-Based Adult Services Centers, Hong Lok Senior Centers, the Friendly Visitors program, the Social Services program, the Lake Merritt Child Care Center, Housing and Community Services.
Our services are open to people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. Because we specialize in aiding the Asian community, most Family Bridges staff members and volunteers can speak Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Vietnamese, and, of course, English. Participants in every Family Bridges program can count on bilingual support.
Family Bridges counts on the efforts of our volunteers and funding from private foundations, government agencies, and individuals to maintain our organization’s programs and sites.
History
In the late 1960s, a wave of Chinese immigrants arrived in the United States, “pushed” by China’s difficult political conditions and “pulled” by favorable changes in U.S. immigration laws. The city of Oakland received many of these immigrants– most of whom lacked basic skills needed to find housing, employment, and affordable health care.
In 1968, a group of volunteers founded the Oakland Chinese Community Council, Inc., a Chinese-language information and referral service, to assist these immigrants. Over many years, our services diversified and we began actively reaching out beyond the Chinese community. In 2000, we changed our name to Family Bridges, Inc.
Family Bridges, Inc. is a non-profit multi-services community based organization that has been serving the Asian American community in the East Bay for 50 years. Family Bridges, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability.
Social Impact
Highlights (2016-2017):
Aging:
- 450 chronically ill seniors and disabled adults receive Adult Day Healthcare Services
- Average 150 days of attendance/year
Advocacy/Civic Engagement:
15,000 unduplicated contacts for voting registration, tax assistance, voter education, notarization, public housing applications, language assistance/translation, immigration services, etc.
Self Sufficiency:
- 80 children and families receive daily childcare, preschool curricula
- 260 unduplicated seniors for Hong Lok Drop In Senior Center
- 450 clients received assistance for cash aid