Our History
Friendly Center was built as a labor of love by the Men’s Community Bible Class of Orange. These men, representing various denominations, were led by Rev. M. L. Pearson, a Presbyterian minister in Orange. They met for many years in the old Colonial Theater on South Glassell Street. The Center on North Cypress Street was donated by J. F. Lewis, the Cornerstone Laying Ceremony held on April 8, 1924.
The Center was located in an area known as the Cypress Street Barrio, had come into being a few years before the turn of the century. In November, 1893, a packing house for citrus fruits was established in that area. Mexican workers were hired and settled nearby, with families and friends coming later. A settlement grew, and although conditions were primitive and needs many, the atmosphere was reportedly reminiscent of one big happy family.
The first 25 years, the Center was operated as a Mission Chapel on Sundays by Latin Methodist pastors. Friendly Center minutes state that the ministers helped residents with food, family problems, health and legal problems; they worked with the nationals and also counseled ex-offenders. The Center was also used extensively weekdays as a Community Center. Public Health nurses used the Center to hold health clinics and classes in child care. The Orange School District used the Center for Citizenship and “Americanization” classes and other classes in sewing, cooking, and learning to speak English. Ministers and volunteers provided groups, trips and experiences for the young people and helped the people bring to their new home their traditional Mexican festivals.
In the early 1950s, the building was no longer used as a church, and the Latin American Council (two members and the minister of each church in Orange), which oversaw the Center operation, secured the building for use as a nonprofit community center, opening in May, 1956.
In addition to the churches of Orange, the Orange School District and Chapman University each played an important role.
In 1965 an active volunteer group – “Friends of the Friendly Center” – was formed, drawing together over 100 men and women from all segments of the Orange community; white, black, Chicano, Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish – all working together in the areas of program, finance and service.
In March, 1967, Friendly Center became Friendly Center, Inc. – an independent, community supported, non-profit corporation. Many of the board members came from the Friends of the Friendly Center organization.
The emphasis was on education and housing during the early years after incorporation. In 1968 a comprehensive scholarship program was established covering financial aid, counseling, and college tours and recruitment.
Two Friendly Center housing programs came to fruition during the years of 1969-1972. After invaluable cooperation from the City of Orange, and countless others, Friendly Center established Orange County’s first Rent Supplement Housing Program: eight apartment units located on Lemon Street, owned and operated by Friendly Center. Simultaneously, a cooperative rehabilitation effort involving the Friendly Center, the City of Orange, and area property owners was accomplished. These two projects resulted in a remarkable upgrading of the housing and neighborhood in that area.
At the 50-year mark, 1974, Friendly Center had evolved greatly and become a United Way Agency. The budget at that time was United Way – 30%, churches – 25%, individuals – 25%, with the balance provided by industry, service clubs and fund raising events.
In 1975 a bilingual pre-school program was initiated at Friendly Center for children ages 3 ½ to 5 years from primarily low-income, non English speaking families. During the twelve years of its operation the preschool teachers worked closely with Orange Unified School District Kindergarten teachers.
In 1978 a Senior Citizen lunch program began at the Center. The program provided noon meals on a daily basis, a social time and other activities such as trips, parties and programs to enrich the seniors’ lives.
In 1985 the Center moved to Killefer Park at the invitation and help of the city of Orange. The move to Killefer Park was very successful. It expanded Friendly Center’s effectiveness and broadened the scope of clients served with a much larger, newer, and more convenient facility. In the early years clients came from the Cypress Street Barrio. With the move, the Center could serve people from all over the city of Orange.
In February 2007 Friendly Center opened a second site, Friendly Center~North, at the Orange Villa Bible Church. This additional location offers services to clients in need in Orange that might not otherwise be able to reach Friendy Center.
Friendly Center was awarded an Honorary Service Award from Orange Community Council Parent Teacher Organization (PTA) recognizing their work with children and youth and was recently featured in the inaugural issue of “Orange Magazine” and on Huell Howser’s “Road Trip” PBS Television show in May 2007.
In July 2007, Friendly Center was selected by the California Family Resource Association (CFRA) as a model agency. Friendly Center was named one of the top four Family Resource Centers in the state of California with mental health services .
Friendly Center opened an office in the city of Placentia in March 2010, expaning its ability to reach families in need in even more communities. This brings the total number of Friendly Center offices to three, two in Orange and one in Placentia.
The Friendly Center has come a long way since 1924. Not all the needs have been met – but The Friendly Center is working at it every day!