FRIENDS was launched by five Orange County women in 1992–Bonnie Davis, Shirley Marshal, Chris Nutter, Jean Nuzum, and Judy Stewart–in order to help the staff of the Orange County Department of Social Services (OCDSS) meet the needs of their clients. FRIENDS, a nonprofit organization, provides emergency assistance to clients of OCDSS when funding resources cannot be obtained elsewhere. FRIENDS is governed by an all-volunteer board of directors. To preserve the anonymity of clients, FRIENDS interacts only with social workers to learn what resources are needed by clients. FRIENDS’ financial resources come from donations, membership fees, endowments and local grants.