September, 2024

Action Alliance Foundation (AAF) provides safe recovery residences for homeless alcoholics and addicts, including those struggling with mental health issues. We teach our residents how to create sober lives leading to futures full of hope and promise.  

Huge congratulations are in order for Action Alliance Foundation's Founder, George Folk, who has been named Outstanding Founder by Orange County's National Philanthropy Day (NPD). George will receive the award at this year's NPD luncheon, scheduled for Thursday, November 14 at the City National Grove of Anaheim.

Nominated by Action Alliance Foundation, Cooper Fellowship, Woodglen Recovery Junction, Mariposa Women and Family Center and Roque Center, George was selected for his commitment to assisting homeless alcoholics and addicts in their quest for lifelong sobriety.

George's fellow Outstanding Honorees include Circle 1000 (Outstanding Philanthropic Group), Connor Wong and Wilson Song (Outstanding Youth), MVC Inc. (Outstanding Small Corporation), Southland Credit Union (Outstanding Medium Corporation), PNC (Outstanding Large Corporation), Ronit Benjamin (Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser), Mohannad and Rana Malas (Outstanding Philanthropists) and Mike and Linda Mussalem (Legacy Award). A special tribute is also being made in memory of Dick Pickup, who passed away in April.

To learn more this year's Outstanding Honorees, click here, George's complete biography can be viewed here.

AAF Receives Grant from OC Cares

AAF is pleased to thank OC Cares for its recent grant, used to purchase 50 energy-efficient refrigerators for use by our residents. In addition to being energy-efficient, these refrigerators will be operational for 10+ years, rather than the 6-18 months the used refrigerators we have been purchasing are. Thank you, OC Cares, for supporting our residents with this generous grant!

AAF Welcomes New Board Members

AAF is honored to welcome three new members to our board of directors: Leon Hutchens, Herman Soto and Roxi Soto.

Sober since October 5, 2006, Leon is the sales desk manager for a local aluminum awning company. He is committed to being happy, joyous and free in addition to staying sober. And, he loves the opportunity to pass that along to others. Read more about Leon here.

Herman works in sales and marketing for the Express Marketing Group. Sober since November 10, 2015, he is pleased to give back to the recovery community through his role on the board. Read more about Herman here.

Roxi was recently promoted to Program Administrator at Woodglen Recovery Junction, overseeing the financial and business side of Woodglen's operations. Sober since 2021, Roxi serves as an AA sponsor to a total of five women. Read more about Roxi here.

AAF's board members oversee the work of AAF and provide strategic governance to the organization. We appreciate Leon, Herman and Roxi's commitment to AAF and to volunteering their skills and talents as members of the AAF board.

Meet Action Alliance Resident Brittany

Born and raised in Orange County, Brittany was a good student, involved in speech and debate and other activities during high school. She was also part of a close-knit and loving multi-generational household, which included her mom, grandfather and great-grandmother. 

Tragically, her life changed dramatically when the other members of her household all passed away within a short time of each other, including her own mother at the young age of 42.

Brittany was 15 and had nowhere to go. She was unable to stay with her father for a variety of reasons (they now have a close relationship), and was concerned about becoming part of the foster system. She stayed with friends when she could, but mostly stayed on the streets, where she started using drugs to numb the chaos in her life. 

Read Brittany's complete story here.