She Was a Client Before She Ran the Place
At the Friendly Center's Havana Nights Gala, Joy of Giving caught Jessica Ruelas a few minutes before she went on stage. She is now the executive director of the Friendly Center, the Orange County nonprofit that has been serving families for 102 years.
Jessica has been with the Friendly Center for 15 years. Before she was ever on staff, she was on the other side of the counter. Her family had been giving back to the Friendly Center. Then her dad lost his job, and the family needed the help themselves.
They walked in, told the staff about the crisis they were in, and the Friendly Center opened its doors and helped get them back on their feet. Jessica says that stayed with her: a place in her own neighborhood that was willing to support them, the same way it has for over a century.
The Story the Gala Was About
From the stage, a speaker pointed to Jessica and Vanessa as what makes the Friendly Center different: a child whose family received support grows into a leader, and a student who comes to learn becomes a colleague. The ask to the room was simple. This work matters, and support from donors is what makes more of those stories possible.
Who Needs the Help Now
Asked who should reach out to the Friendly Center, Jessica's answer was one word: anyone.
What the staff has been noticing internally is a shift in who walks in. More of the people asking for help are professionals with bachelor's degrees who are struggling. The old picture of who needs a community center does not hold anymore.
The gala also heard from a partner that worked with the Friendly Center on helping people at risk of becoming homeless. Their reason for partnering was direct: the Friendly Center already knew how to do that work. The result of that partnership reached about 440 individuals.
The Challenge She Is Taking On
Jessica is clear about the gap. A lot of people still do not know about the Friendly Center. Growing that awareness across Orange County is the challenge she says she is taking on in the new role, and Joy of Giving told her she can count on help getting the word out.
Who Should Watch
Anyone in Orange County going through a hard stretch who assumes help like this is not meant for them. Donors and businesses looking for a local nonprofit with a long track record and leadership that came up through its own programs. And anyone who wants a short, real example of what a community organization looks like when it works.
Watch the full video to hear Jessica tell it in her own words.
