Founded in 1970 by a group of concerned individuals, primarily members of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Costa Mesa, Share Our Selves (SOS) has grown to become an important nonprofit, volunteer based organization serving the impoverished and working poor populations in Orange County.

In the beginning, aid was in form of food and emergency funds. As time went on, it became apparent to the volunteers at SOS that those seeking help were severely lacking in access to medical care. The problem was discussed in various forums and in 1984, Dr. Donald Drake, former Chief of Staff at Hoag Hospital and founder of Greater Newport Physicians, volunteered to become the first medical director of the SOS Free Medical Clinic. For the first two years the clinic operated under his medical license. It became a licensed free clinic in 1987 and maintains its ties to Hoag Hospital through the Hoag Health Partnership.

As a volunteer-based organization, SOS acts as a caring and non-discriminating servant and works for increased awareness and systemic change in response to the needs of thousands of homeless and financially disadvantaged in our community. Fostering an environment of respect and compassion, SOS makes the inherent dignity of the individual a top priority.

For more than 35 years SOS has provided a safety net to those needing emergency assistance. We pride ourselves on our fast response time, lack of bureaucracy, and caring response to those in crisis. Because of our volunteers, 88 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to our support programs.

SOS is

200 Social Services volunteers.

200 Medical/Dental volunteers.

38 employees.

The largest Emergency Relief agency giving out direct aid in Orange County.

The only free comprehensive Chronic Care program in Orange County.

The only free comprehensive adult dental clinic in Orange County.

We Serve

All of Orange County.

Those living at or near the poverty level.

The uninsured.

The working poor.

Families.

The homeless.

SHARE OUR SELVES

A Non-Profit Corporation