Mission & History
Founded in 1975, ABRAZAR, Inc. is a California 501(c)(3) non-profit community service agency dedicated to promoting the general welfare and prosperity of very poor to medium income seniors and families in Orange County through programs that improve health and nutrition, socialization, life long learning, and economic self-sufficiency in culturally sensitive ways. Abrazar is a multicultural, multigenerational community-based agency whose core work serves economically challenged and fixed-income populations access quality health care, dental care, food, education, housing, translation and transportation services. ABRAZAR’s compassionate, holistic approach has resulted in a collaborative support network of food banks, school districts, adult day/health care centers, and health care agencies that result in an accessible safety net of services. The agency’s two community centers offer computer and financial literacy classes, parenting classes, after-school tutoring program, affordable housing, Spanish and Vietnamese translation services, door to door transportation for seniors to health and wellness services, emergency food and clothing, congregate and home delivered meals, English Language Development (ELD). The on-site Dental Clinic in Westminster is a full service dental facility and available for patients 5 years and older.
ABRAZAR has particular expertise in serving immigrant and non-English speaking populations, most notably Hispanics and more recently Vietnamese. The agency has a proud history of flexing to meet the changing needs of its community and clientele. Today, ABRAZAR provides a comprehensive and wide range of services to clients who range in age from birth to 98!
Our Chief Executive Officer
Gloria Reyes has been CEO of ABRAZAR since 1975. Challenged to increase visibility and constituency of Community Centers in Westminster and Midway City, California, Reyes is directly responsible for functions involving strategic planning and implementation; program development, implementation and coordination; fund-raising; marketing plan development; implementation and coordination of new senior programs and services; human resource recruiting; fundraising activities including proposal acquisition; development and coordination of redevelopment packages, and developing relationships with community development allies.
During her tenure, Reyes has overhauled multiple programs to tighten focus, streamline operations and foster an atmosphere of empowerment and accountability. She has developed a unique business model that combines the services of a nonprofit with the best practices of a sucessful commercial business. The transporation department outsources selected operations to local providers and collaborators to reduce costs, improve effectiveness and sharpen internal focus on development activities. Reyes also leveraged an extensive database of volunteers and consultants to raise awareness of ABRAZAR’s programs.
Some highlights of the first 4 decades include:
• Quickly acquired several grants resulting in 25 new jobs in the first year.
• Increased constituency to over 1200 clients per week.
• Acquired over $17 million in grants from foundations, corporations, and government sources.
• Wrote and received approval for a matching grant to upgrade the agency's computer network.
• Fully developed first time homebuyers program. Completed major projects in communities with populations over 60,000.
• Spearheaded effort that resulted in the establishment of $2M multi-purpose facility in the City of Westminster.
• Successfully negotiated and prepared packages that resulted in Senior Non-Emergency Transportation expansions creating 100 new jobs and $13M in funding.