Kate Starr’s volunteering habits were instilled early, growing up in Deerfield with service-oriented parents who were deeply connected to Irvine. Starr attended Irvine High School, where she was involved with Students for Social Responsibility. Her parents, Maureen and Tony Mossbarger, worked for Irvine Unified School District and Irvine Ranch Water District, respectively.
After retiring, the Mossbargers started volunteering with Families Forward, an Irvine-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting families facing housing crises.
Their dedication further inspired Starr. She now serves on the board for Families Forward. “I consider volunteering great for learning,” she says. “Children and families are what I want to put my time and energy into. It’s really a great fit for me.”
She’s making sure that level of commitment is ingrained in her two young sons’ nature, while keeping things fun. Three generations now spend quality time together during family volunteer nights at the nonprofit, where children as young as 3 can join, creating a sense of purpose for people of all ages.
“It’s really part of our family culture,” Starr says. “My parents started that and instilled it in us. I see it as part and parcel to my kids’ upbringing, as well. It may not feel like you’re doing a lot, but it does add up.”
Building a community
Families Forward CEO Madelynn Hirneise spends a lot of time trying to figure out ways to be innovative. “We have as many as 300 to 400 families a month who call us with housing needs,” Hirneise says. “We’re shifting gears because the resources are limited.”
Family volunteer night was her idea to introduce philanthropy to kids. The program has been going for three years, with activities for children that don’t require more than 20 minutes of attention at a time, including sorting pantry donations or counting out pencils for backpacks.
“We have a big mural at our market that says ‘It takes a community to build a community,’ ” Hirneise says. “If our community succeeds, we succeed, and that takes all of us working together.”
Irvine roots
Families Forward started as Irvine Temporary Housing. Irvine Company’s donation of two houses in east Irvine helped launch the organization, which was founded in 1984. “We’re core to the city,” Hirneise says. “Working with Irvine Company and the city is how we got our roots.”
Starr and Hirneise agree that living and working in Irvine fosters a strong sense of communal spirit.
“These are our neighbors,” Starr says. “This is our community. We all have a responsibility to make it better. The point is for the kids to feel empowered, that they can help do something.
HOW TO HELP
Volunteer: Work at the community market or front desk or help sort donations.
Corporate donations: Host a food drive in your office with a drop-off bin or organize an on-site event.
Holiday wish program: Adopt a family for the holiday season and provide gifts.
Family volunteer night: The next available one is Sept. 25.
More info: Visit families-forward.org or call 949-552-2727.
