History - South County Outreach (SCO)
(Formerly Saddleback Community Outreach)

In 1989, SCO was founded as a non-profit, non-sectarian organization providing emergency assistance to South Orange County residents. SCO’s catchment area includes all the south county cities from Irvine to San Clemente.

SCO was founded by Mr. Ray Havert. Ray, with the aid of volunteers, conducted food drives and opened a food pantry to assist families and seniors in need.

SCO’s mission: “SCO continues to be a premier provider of vital services and assistance to low income families, seniors and individuals, meeting the needs of the hungry and homeless in South Orange County.”

In the first year of operation SCO assisted over 1500 families. The next year the number of families doubled. In 1991, in order to meet this increasing demand, SCO relocated to a facility with a warehouse and office space. We also expanded our emergency services to include rental and utility assistance.

Each year the need for our services has increased. In 2005, the Orange County Homeless needs assessment reported there are 35,000 homeless individuals in Orange County, 40% of whom are children. In addition, the number of working poor is increasing at an alarming rate placing an estimated 600,000 residents “at-risk” of being hungry and/or homeless. The major contributing factor to this large number is the high cost of housing. Affordable housing inventories are low and demand is ever increasing forcing many families to choose between buying food or paying rent.

As a community leader, SCO has developed programs to address the needs of our less fortunate neighbors. In 1994, in response to the growing number of homeless families SCO created a transitional housing program. Today, we own and operate 16 condominium units at scattered site locations in the cities of Lake Forest, Mission Viejo and Laguna Niguel, consisting of one and two bedroom apartments. Our transitional housing program is dedicated to housing homeless families.

At any given time there are approximately 22 adults and 30 children participating in this program. The average length of stay is 6 – 9 months depending upon the family’s need and their progress. Each family pays rent, not to exceed 30% of their adjusted gross income. Additionally, each family sets up a savings program to save up to 25% of their income to be applied toward permanent housing.

In 1999, SCO created a Computer Learning Lab (CLL) so unemployed and underemployed residents could gain the skills they need to compete for jobs that pay a livable wage. In 2005, 150 individuals participated from the program and 85% obtained employment. Also in 2004 the CLL had its 1,000th student attend classes.

Like most non-profits, SCO struggles to raise funds to support all our programs. Though we solicit contributions from the public and private sector, in 2001 we opened a thrift store to generate a funding stream. Upscale Resale is operated by dedicated volunteers. All profits are contributed to SCO to support our operation.

Today, SCO has grown into a $2.4 million dollar organization offering many services, but we still rely primarily on the help of more than 150 community volunteers. Over one half of our operational cost is funded through “in-kind” donations of goods and services valued at over $1,465,251 dollars.

Indeed, in 2005, SCO provided food, rental and utility assistance, and computer training to thousands of residents of South Orange County, plus transitional housing to 23 families in SCO’s condominium units.