Strong Families, Strong Children Partners with STEP to Assist Military-Connected Families

On Thursday, May 28, 2020, Strong Families, Strong Children (SFSC) partnered with Support the Enlisted Project (STEP) to provide 300 active, duty, veteran and military-connected families with fresh produce, canned goods, diapers, and essential hygiene products through a contact-free, drive-through distribution event in Santa Ana, CA.

"Today is an incredible day. The families driving through are just so appreciative. We are thankful for this partnership opportunity with STEP so that we can offer support in such a timely and tangible way,” said Lori Pack, CEO Child Guidance Center*. Tony Teravainen, CEO & Co-Founder of STEP, USN (retired) shared, “Combined with what the whole nation is going through, military spouses are experiencing furloughs, cut hours, and even lay-offs. Domestic travel restrictions are keeping families apart. PCS and deployment orders are on hold, affecting housing and causing uncertainty for military families. We need our Armed Forces mission-ready and to know we’re here for them.” 

A huge "Thank You" to everyone who volunteered their time and resources to make this event a great success... we couldn't have done it without you!

• American Legion Auxiliary 291 Newport Beach
• Battle Buddy Bridge 
• Child Guidance Center - including Board Member, Addie Zinone (Staff Sargeant US Army Reserve)
• Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos – 79th Theater Sustainment Command 
• Orange County Food Bank
• Supervisor Andrew Do and team
• STEP and team 
• SFSC and team
• The Colton Company
• Tierney Center for Veteran Services
• 211 Orange County
• And other community volunteers including Gabriel Buhrmaster, Kristy Cortez, Kiran Gopinath, Nick Owen, and Tracy Tegtmeier.

 *Strong Families, Strong Children is a program of Child Guidance Center focused on supporting the critical mental health, housing, domestic violence prevention and legal needs of Orange County veterans and their family members.