Welcome to NeighborWorks Orange County’s October newsletter — we’re glad you’re here as we head into the fall season. In this edition we are excited to share a recap on our Annual Homebuyer Day Fair, an update on the Wells Fargo pilot program, a generous award from the Samueli Foundation, and ways you can get involved.
Wells Fargo Supports $95,000 “STEP Forward” Pilot
To Expand Homeownership Education for Self-Employed Borrowers & Childcare Entrepreneurs
Thanks to generous support from Wells Fargo, NeighborWorks Orange County (NWOC) is leading a new collaborative initiative: “STEP Forward” Supporting Thriving Entrepreneurs in Purchase-Readiness, in partnership with CIELO and the Orange County Community Housing Corporation (OCCHC).
This innovative pilot program helps self-employed individuals and childcare business owners overcome barriers to homeownership by offering homebuyer education, financial counseling, business development support, and guidance on Down Payment Assistance programs for non-W2 borrowers.
With $95,000 in funding from Wells Fargo, this first of its kind effort advances economic mobility and connects underserved communities to the financial resources and pathways needed to achieve homeownership.
NeighborWorks Orange County Awarded Samueli Foundation Breakaway Fund Grant
NeighborWorks Orange County is proud to share that the Samueli Foundation has named us a recipient of its Breakaway Fund. This timely investment will allow us to expand our housing stability efforts across Orange County by partnering with local legal resource providers
With this support, NWOC will scale workshops and outreach focused on preventing displacement, strengthen navigation for households facing housing crises, and deepen collaborations with community partners so residents can access foreclosure counseling, tenant-landlord mediation, and other critical services. This grant helps protect the basics that keep families in their homes through education, legal resources, and direct connections to assistance.
Being selected from a competitive pool of more than 1,000 applicants is an honor and a strong endorsement of our work. We are deeply grateful to the Samueli Foundation for this recognition and for investing in communitybased solutions that help build stronger, more resilient neighborhoods across Orange County.
NeighborWorks OC Homebuyer Day Fair Brings the Community Together
Thank you to everyone who joined us and the City of Garden Grove for our Annual Homebuyer Day Fair on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Garden Grove Community Center. The event brought together hundreds of residents, lenders, and community partners to explore valuable resources and support pathways to homeownership.
We extend our deepest appreciation to our Event Sponsors: Wells Fargo, Farmers and Merchants Bank, Bank of America, Cornerstone First Mortgage, and Citi for their generous support.
We’re also grateful to our dedicated Community Partners, including: City of Garden Grove, CalHFA, First Team, The Hitchens Team, Fair Housing Foundation, NAHREP, Habitat for Humanity, Team Tackney GMT Real Estate, 21 Century, California Bank & Trust, and First Citizens Bank.
From free educational workshops on lending, down payment assistance, and estate planning to engaging one-on-one consultations and familyfriendly activities and prizes, the Homebuyer Day Fair provided invaluable opportunities for residents to connect, learn, and take meaningful steps toward building generational wealth through homeownership.
Restoring Hope and Rebuilding Homes: The “Restore the Legacy LA” Initiative
NeighborWorks Orange County is proud to spotlight Restore the Legacy LA, a powerful new collaborative led by Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County (NHSLA) that is dedicated to supporting families impacted by the Eaton Fire. This community-driven initiative brings together trusted partners and resources to help affected residents rebuild, recover, and restore their sense of stability.
Through this collaborative effort, families are gaining access to critical services including interim housing support, low-cost construction options, and technical guidance to help them select a general contractor or architect. The initiative also offers mission-driven real estate services, whether buying, selling, or rebuilding, along with free estate planning and legal assistance to ensure long-term security and peace of mind.
The Restore the Legacy LA partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration in action, bringing together nonprofit organizations, housing professionals, and community advocates to uplift families and preserve neighborhoods. By combining expertise, compassion, and resources, this effort is helping the community move forward stronger than before.
Partners in Homeownership: Our Heartfelt Thanks
Thank you to our sponsors, donors, and partners. Because of your generosity, NeighborWorks Orange County can continue creating pathways to stable, affordable homeownership and stronger neighborhoods across OC. We’re grateful for your trust and partnership.
If you would like to become involved with our work, please visit: https://nwoc.org
