With a relatively small community grants budget, Pfaffinger has chosen in recent years to focus a portion of its annual grant making on special programs. In this way the Foundation has had a more substantial community impact than it might have otherwise. Such programs incorporates some of the core values of Pfaffinger Foundation and demonstrates their worth. Currently the Foundation is operating the Family Self Sufficiency Initiative, after successfully bringing to a close its involvement with the Vernon Central Workforce Development Network in 2016.

Family Self-Sufficiency Initiative

2018 Grants:  $182,934
Cumulative:  $8,167,580
2018 Clients Served: 71

In this program, a network of six partner social service agencies recommends their family or individual clients for one-time grants for such necessities as rent, furnishings, or clothing. Recipient families must have at least one working adult. Pfaffinger assistance often stabilizes the family and prevents homelessness or other negative consequences. The program extends Pfaffinger’s core competency in making small grants for individuals to an especially needy population. Because all recipients must be in case management, it also emphasizes the importance of case management, another core value of the Foundation. The program was founded in 2001 and was previously known as the Working Poor Program.

Partner agencies include: Friends of the Family, Helpline Youth Counseling, Inc., Little Tokyo Service Center, JVS So-Cal and Para los Niños.