We are stepping into the shortest month of the year with some big plans and goals to achieve in February.

• We are bringing fresh produce back to our Community Help Desk after a winter hiatus. Approximately 300 families from our service area come to our offices each month to receive food and hygiene items, as well as fresh produce that is in season and grown locally.
• Our Board of Directors has agreed to expand our service area to include the City of Chino. We receive several inquiries each month from Chino residents seeking housing and other services. Our service area is now officially Upland, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Montclair, Claremont, Pomona, and now Chino. If you have an opportunity to share this news, please help us spread the word.

Families who need our services will be happy to learn of these additional resources. Each family comes with a story and a unique situation. Poverty leaves a lasting scar on families experiencing homelessness, especially children who need to feel safe. Because our families live independently in their own two-bedroom apartments, children and adults are able to experience the sense of safety that you and I enjoy without a second thought. Providing a safe living space, along with the comfort items they need, helps each family member heal from the traumas that brought them to us. Since July, we have provided housing in our Shelter for 40 adults and 67 children.

The case plan for each family is different. Some will need to find work. Some need to improve their employment by increasing their hours or obtaining a better position. Some families have credit issues to repair, while others need to complete classes or training to prepare for better opportunities. We have found that when families are allowed to focus on improving their lives and do not have to worry about basic needs such as shelter, food, hygiene, and clothing for a short time, they can change their lives. Our 120-day program lasts four months. All of this is very exciting for us as well, and we celebrate with them each goal they achieve.

Saving 50% of their income is a program requirement. Many families arrive without a bank account and with very little money. After four months, they have learned to budget and conduct housing searches, which are skills they need to become active members of the community. Our Board of Directors and staff work closely together to anticipate the needs of the at-risk community so each family accepted into our programs has the best opportunity to overcome their past circumstances and begin the pathway to a better lifestyle.

We still have needs for food and hygiene items this month. Hosting a food drive or becoming a monthly donor is a great way to help. Please check our website for our most-needed items. Our community has always provided support. We are grateful for your contributions and ask you to continue, as the need is still evident.

Since February is the shortest month of the year, we must work quickly to develop the tools needed to continue changing lives for the better.

With appreciation,

Bonnie Cole

Executive Director

Our service area has expanded to include the City of Chino!

Beginning February 2026, Chino residents will be able to access services through our Community Help Desk, including food and hygiene items, and will also be eligible to apply for our 120-Day Housing Program.

After a year of tracking inquiries, we found a clear and consistent need for services in the City of Chino. In response, our Board of Directors voted to expand our service area moving forward. This milestone step helps ensure more families can access support and essential resources closer to home, right when they need them most.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this announcement with your network, so more Chino families who need support know these resources are now available.

Some months feel like a fresh reset, and February is one of them. Small steps, new routines, and real progress start to take shape. This month, we are highlighting two clients who have been putting in the work and seeing big changes because of it.

Life is not always predictable. We see many families seek support at Foothill Family Shelter due to unforeseen circumstances. This was the case for Amy, a single mother to two daughters, Maya (9) and Maddie (7), who found herself without employment when her boss suddenly and tragically passed away. Amy was three months into our 120-Day Program when this unfortunate event occurred and, at the time, was being considered for our 1-Year Program. With employment being a main requirement of the program (and an important attribute to sustainable living), she wasted no time in seeking and obtaining new employment. In just a few weeks, she secured a new job that began as temporary part-time employment. After only two weeks, she was offered a permanent full-time position, with the possibility of review and a pay raise pending her 90-day review. She is scheduled to move into our 1-Year Program this week! We are incredibly proud of her determination and resilience.

Progress does not always happen overnight, but we often see powerful change when someone is ready to take the next step. This has been the case for Ronnie, who has officially been hired by Inland Valley Recovery Services as part of their maintenance team. This means he will be transitioning out of his job at 7-Eleven and stepping into a role that better aligns with his long-term goals. This new position is a meaningful milestone for Ronnie. It brings him one step closer to his personal goal of becoming an advocate and working directly with individuals who are struggling with addiction, an experience he understands deeply through his own journey. This opportunity not only offers greater stability, but also places him in an environment where he can continue building the skills and connections needed to move toward advocacy work.

These stories remind us that when the right support meets hard work, real change is possible. We are grateful to walk alongside our clients as they keep moving forward!

As we reflect on the past year, we’re proud to share how Foothill Family Shelter continued to grow its impact and deepen support for families experiencing homelessness. Thanks to the generosity of our community, 2025 was a year of expanded reach, increased stability, and meaningful progress toward long-term housing solutions. Here’s a snapshot of what your support made possible.

We are grateful for a community that continues to show up, meeting urgent needs today while helping families create stronger tomorrows.

Our Community Help Desk is often the first point of contact for families in crisis, providing immediate access to food, hygiene items, and critical resources when they’re needed most. In our "Help Desk Highlights" section, we'll spotlight the impact of this essential program and how you can help support.

A Steady Start to the Year

January set a clear tone for the year ahead. With 1,226 individuals and 316 families served, demand for essential services remains strong as we head into February. While the calendar has turned, the challenges facing families persist—and our commitment to meeting them remains just as steady.

Supporting More Families, Together

Donating now is especially important as our services continue to grow and reach more people in need. We’ve recently expanded to serve the City of Chino, which means we can support even more individuals and families facing food and resource insecurity. Your generosity helps ensure we can continue providing essential items and services without interruption. You can support these efforts by hosting a donation drive or fundraiser to help us keep serving those who need it most.

Want to help? Donations can be dropped off:

Tuesday–Friday | 9am–12pm & 1–5pm

Location: 1501 W. 9th Street, Suite D, Upland, CA 91786

Volunteers are at the heart of our work, giving their time, energy, and compassion to help us serve families in meaningful ways. In our "Volunteer Corner," we’ll highlight the incredible impact of our volunteers and share ways you can get involved. 

Volunteer of the Month

Hearts Needed. Hands Welcome. ❤️

This February, Valentine’s Day reminds us that the most meaningful love is steady and reliable.

When you become a monthly donor, you help ensure families have ongoing support when they need it most. If you are looking for a meaningful way to share love this month, we invite you to join our community of monthly givers and make a lasting impact throughout the year.

A future doesn’t open itself... Someone has to turn the key

Join us as we come together to turn hope into action and help open doors to stability for families in our community. Visit our event page or contact us to secure your tickets and unlock sponsorship opportunities.

Want YOUR business to be featured in a future edition of our newsletter?

Thank you for your support. Our families and community benefit from your continued generous contributions and partnership with Foothill Family Shelter.

With appreciation,

Deanna Alsdorf

Development Manager