Thomas House Family Shelter was founded in 1986 by Garden Grove residents Mary and Bernie Selz, who wanted to help the growing number of unhoused families with children in the community by providing them a safe place to live and build self-sufficiency. With initial support from friends at St. Barbaras Catholic Church, when needs increased, the City of Garden Grove and the County of Orange made it possible for Thomas Shelter to become the owner of two apartment buildings with16 units, along with a meeting/classroom area, career development center, food pantry, private counseling room and youth development center. The Selz’ engaged the Sisters of St. Joseph to develop case management services, after-school youth programming and employment services. An additional 8-unit apartment building, purchased in 2018, increased the number of unhoused families served to 35. Impact increased by working with more than 100 local government, community and nonprofit service partners. Mary, now widowed, is humbled that Thomas House has provided rent-free shelter, food and supportive services to empower more than 1,600 unhoused families with children to become independent and self-sufficient.
“We have all had a time in our lives when we needed a helping hand, listening ear or encouraging word. Bernie and I were the seeds, that with the help of so many others, blossomed into Thomas House Family Center.” – Mary Selz