Founded by the community in 1988, Rio Hondo Temporary Home became a family-only shelter in 1991. In southeastern Los Angeles County, Rio Hondo Temporary Home is one of but a few family shelters.

According to a Shelter Partnership survey, fathers are not allowed in nearly a majority of the county’s family shelters. Boys older than 11 or 12 are unwelcome in most shelters, and many of which will not accept any children over age 12. At Rio Hondo Temporary Home, families can stay together. Moreover, we accept fathers, children of all ages and unmarried parents.

In our efforts to provide for the full array of family needs, we added our childcare program and educational services for children in 1994, followed by mental health services and a pediatric occupational therapist in 1996, an on-site health clinic in 1999, and a bilingual mental health therapist in 2004.

While 40% of the county’s family shelters do not provide any supportive children’s services, Rio Hondo Temporary Home offers a comprehensive program to help children overcome trauma, increase well-being and build resiliency. We have gained a reputation as a transitional shelter that will accept and help families with troubled children.

Rio Hondo Temporary Home offers services that are seldom found at homeless shelters plus case management, food services, and transportation needs in a family-friendly community setting which respects the human dignity of each person. Our outstanding family-based outcomes have earned us numerous awards and recognitions.