ABOUT AAF SERVICES

Who does AAF serve? AAF serves families in Marin who were once stable but are now in immediate need of support. This need may result from catastrophic illness, accident, job loss, spousal abandonment or abuse, and/or rising rent costs. We define families as at least one parent (usually the mother) and one minor child. Approximately 40% of our families are Caucasian, and 60% are African-American or Latino.

Are these families homeless? No. Our mission is to help families before they become homeless. Homelessness is devastating to a family emotionally, physically, and financially. Sheltering is expensive--it costs at least $5,000/month to shelter a family of four. We can help families avoid the need for sheltering by providing a security deposit or a few hundred dollars a month in rent subsidy
.
Do all of the families have children? Yes. Our families must have at least one child under18 years of age.

Are there other qualifications that the family must meet? Yes
1. Families must have some source of income, however small.
2. Families must be a resident of Marin County for 6 months.
3. There must be no evidence of substance abuse for at least 6 months.
4. The parent must complete an extensive application form, including a signed release allowing the case manager to verify the financial information provided by the client.
5. Families must be motivated to improve their lives and the lives of their children.

How do families find you? Our referrals come from more than 50 sources including government agencies such as Cal Works or PG&E, schools, churches, former families, or other nonprofit agencies in Marin.

How do you help? We offer short-term financial assistance and emotional support to families. This is done in the context of comprehensive assessment and targeted information and referral, to help stabilize and support families through an array of local resources. Almost half of our direct aid provides security deposits and rent subsidies. We also provide food subsidies, car repair, childcare, counseling, and education.

Does AAF provide sole support for the families? No. Each family must have some other source of support in order to qualify for our program. Most are working full time at low paying jobs; others are working part-time or have a medical disability.

How do you know that your assistance is being used as it’s intended? We pay the vendors directly. In other words, we pay the landlord, auto mechanic, childcare facility, etc. rather than giving out funding directly to the families.

Does everyone receive the same services? No, our program is tailored to each individual family. Our Emergency Assistance Program helps families in crisis with security deposits, rental assistance, auto repair, utilities, food, and child care subsidies. Our Educational Support Program provides longer-term assistance while parents pursue their educational/vocational goals to enhance their earning potential.

Is counseling or skill development provided? We have a counseling program where families are seen either by an intern from Family Service Agency or a therapist in the community willing to work with our families at a reduced fee. Every candidate for the Educational Program must be evaluated by a counselor before they are accepted in the the program. We offer workshops about parenting, budgeting, shopping, personal organization, resume writing and interview skills.

Do you monitor the families? Yes. One of our caseworkers speaks with each family by phone at least monthly and meets with the family at the agency as needed, usually quarterly.

What other agencies in Marin provide this type of help? By providing ongoing financial help to families in crisis, we are in a unique position to coordinate with other social service agencies to make sure that families receive the best available assistance.

How many families do you help annually? During 2007 we provided financial assistance to 278 with 469 children.

How many families do you help at any given time? Between 40 and 50 families receive our services each month.

Are there more families in Marin who need help? Yes. Not only are there more families who need our help and those we are already helping need more financial support.

Are you planning to expand your programs? Yes. We are currently working on creating additional resources to help 100 families at any given time and provide more intensive support to each family as needed. This is key to helping each family move toward self-sufficiency and resolution of life crises. This is central to preventing homelessness in Marin County and ensuring family stability.

How does your Christmas program fit in with your overall program? Our Christmas program is a small but important part of our overall program. Each AAF family makes a wish list, which is given to one of more than 100 donors. The result is personalized wrapped presents and a celebratory food basket for each of our families.

ABOUT AAF ORGANIZATION

How long has AAF been in existence? AAF began providing financial subsidies to families in 1989, and has been providing service continuously since then.

What is the size of the staff? We have three full-time employees and one half time volunteer.

What is the annual budget? Our annual budget in 2005 was $695,859.

What percentage of the budget is used for direct aid?
Our expenses in 2004 were as follows:

*Marin Community Foundation specifically covered 55% of the administrative cost in 2005.

Who provides your funding? Roughly one third of our funding is from foundations, one third from individual donors, and one third from the Gala Event hosted by our very generous benefactors, the Ross Valley Women’s League (RVWL). We receive no funding from government sources.

How may I contribute to AAF?
1. You can join Club 365 which commits you to $1.00 daily for a year.
2. You may send a check or stock certificate directly to AAF to be used where most needed.
3. You may become a corporate sponsor for the RVWL Gala.
4. Through monthly pledges, paid by check or automatic credit card charge, you can provide a rent subsidy, food vouchers, tuition, or childcare subsidy for a particular family. If you wish, you can receive updates about that family’s progress towards self-sufficiency. This is a way to truly adopt a family.
5. You may make aa donation specifically targeted to an aspect of the program that particularly interests you.
6. You may participate in the Holiday Program by adopting a family with food and presents.

Please contact the office, 415-456-7805, for detail on these options.

If I adopt a family, will I receive feedback as to their progress? Can I contact them directly? You will receive progress updates from the family’s caseworker and notes from the family. Further contact between family and donor is generally discouraged, but exceptions have been made.