Last Updated on: May 7, 2026
This page is for people leaving incarceration, their families, and case workers looking for reentry support in Anaheim.
Anaheim has several strong reentry resources for people with criminal records. Below you will find an updated list of all reentry tools, programs and resources. You will find support with housing, employment, legal aid, education, mental health, substance use counseling, and related reentry needs and more.
Notice: For statewide help and/or other California cities, see our full guide to Reentry Programs in California. You may also find our Reentry Survival Guide for Felons helpful.
List of Reentry Programs in Anaheim, CA
HIRE – A Hub for Reentry and Employment in Orange County
Address: Serving all of Orange County, Anaheim area
Phone: Contact through website for location and hours
Best For: Anyone returning from incarceration regardless of age or conviction type seeking employment and community support.
What It Offers: HIRE provides job readiness, training, direct employer connections, shelter assistance, legal aid, financial literacy, and career counseling with a 72% job placement rate.
Chrysalis – Job-Readiness Program
Address: 290 South Anaheim Boulevard, Anaheim, CA 92805
Phone: (714) 204-3000
Best For: People with barriers to employment, including those with criminal records, seeking job training and transitional work.
What It Offers: Free job-readiness classes, resume writing, practice interviews, paid transitional employment opportunities, and case management support.
Families Inspiring Reentry & Reunification 4 Everyone (FIR4E)
Address: Serving Los Angeles and Orange County (Santa Ana-based)
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: Formerly incarcerated people seeking reentry housing, case management, and family reunification.
What It Offers: Provides reentry housing, case management services, and supports family reunification directly to formerly incarcerated individuals.
CAP Alliance – Reentry Employment Services
Address: Multiple locations in Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Fernando Valley
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: Formerly incarcerated individuals seeking job readiness training and employment placement.
What It Offers: Job readiness programs, resume assistance, transitional employment, and connections to employers.
Halfway Houses and Transitional Housing in Anaheim
Stable housing is one of the biggest reentry needs in Orange County. Some programs provide transitional housing directly, while others connect people to shelters, sober living, supportive housing, or coordinated entry services.
For a larger housing guide, visit Felon Friendly Apartments & Housing – How to Find Housing With a Criminal Record.
Bridges at Kraemer Place
Address: 1000 N. Kraemer Place, Anaheim, CA 92806
Phone: Contact Orange County for current information
Best For: Adult individuals experiencing homelessness in need of emergency shelter and supportive services.
What It Offers: Operates as an emergency shelter with up to 200 beds, trauma-informed services, on-site health clinic, and case management for permanent housing placement.
Covenant House California – Transitional Aged Youth Housing
Address: 65-bed emergency housing program in Anaheim, serving Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) ages 18-24
Phone: Contact Orange County for referrals
Best For: Young people ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
What It Offers: Safe emergency housing, case management, health and mental health support, independent living skills training, and employment assistance.
Grandma’s House of Hope
Address: Multiple locations throughout Orange County
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: Vulnerable single adults experiencing homelessness with trauma histories.
What It Offers: Emergency and transitional housing, case management, counseling, and up to 2 years of aftercare support with Grandma’s Family Tree alumni network.
H.I.S. House – Homeless Intervention Shelter
Address: Multiple Orange County locations
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: Families, single adults, and couples experiencing homelessness seeking transitional shelter.
What It Offers: 24-hour transitional shelter, case management, career development, life skills classes, childcare assistance, and education support.
Center of Hope – OCHA Project Based Vouchers
Address: 1401 S Salvation Place, Anaheim, CA 92805
Phone: Contact Orange County Coordinated Entry System (CES) at 2-1-1
Best For: Persons experiencing homelessness seeking permanent supportive housing.
What It Offers: 16 studio units for homeless individuals with support services, accessed through Orange County’s CES.
Housing Solutions for People With Criminal Records in Orange County
Housing can be difficult with a felony record, especially when landlords use background checks. Do not pay application fees until you ask whether felony records are automatic denials or reviewed individually.
For more help, read Felon Friendly Apartments & Housing – How to Find Housing With a Criminal Record. You may also want to review our guide to Public Housing for Felons.
2-1-1 Orange County
Address: Countywide resource
Phone: Dial 2-1-1 or (949) 646-4357
Best For: Anyone seeking information about housing, rental assistance, and supportive services in Orange County.
What It Offers: Free 24/7 information and referral service connecting to housing resources, emergency assistance, and social services throughout Orange County.
Orange County Housing Authority – Special Housing Programs
Address: Countywide service
Phone: (714) 480-2777
Best For: Non-elderly disabled, homeless, and families seeking rental assistance and housing support.
What It Offers: Family Unification Program (FUP), Foster Youth to Independence (FYI), Non-Elderly Disabled (NED), and Emergency Housing Voucher programs.
Share Our Selves (SOS) – Bill Assistance and Health Services
Address: 1550 Superior Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Phone: (949) 642-3451
Best For: Low-income individuals and families seeking bill assistance and health services.
What It Offers: Health services, bill assistance, emergency aid, and support for basic living expenses.
The Salvation Army – Anaheim
Address: 1515 W. North St., Anaheim, CA 92801
Phone: (714) 783-2344
Best For: Individuals and families in need of emergency assistance and support services.
What It Offers: Emergency financial assistance, utility bill help, food pantries, and job training programs.
Second Harvest Food Bank
Address: Countywide service with multiple distribution sites
Phone: (714) 535-2283
Best For: Low-income families and individuals needing food assistance.
What It Offers: Food distribution through partner pantries, community centers, and mobile food sites throughout Orange County.
Emergency Food, Clothing, and Basic Needs
If you just got out of jail or prison and need food, clothing, hygiene items, emergency shelter, or benefits, start with these resources.
For more options, read Emergency Financial Help for Felons. You can also check whether you qualify for Food Stamps (SNAP) as a Felon.
2-1-1 Orange County – Food and Emergency Resources
Address: Countywide resource
Phone: Dial 2-1-1 from any phone
Best For: Anyone seeking emergency food, housing, utilities assistance, or benefits information.
What It Offers: 24/7 referrals to food pantries, meal programs, CalFresh benefits, emergency shelter, utilities assistance, and other social services.
Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC)
Address: Multiple locations throughout Orange County
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: Low-income individuals and families needing emergency assistance and benefits.
What It Offers: Food assistance, utility assistance, weatherization programs, job training, and connections to CalFresh and other benefits.
Anaheim Independencia Family Resource Center (AIFRC)
Address: 10841 Garza Ave, Anaheim, CA 92804
Phone: (714) 826-9070
Best For: Anaheim families seeking emergency assistance and community resources.
What It Offers: Emergency food distribution, utility assistance, benefits application help, and family support services.
The Salvation Army Food Pantry – Anaheim
Address: 1515 W. North St., Anaheim, CA 92801
Phone: (714) 783-2344
Best For: Individuals and families needing emergency food and basic necessities.
What It Offers: Free food pantry services, emergency clothing, hygiene items, and emergency financial assistance.
Free or Low Cost Healthcare and Mental Health Help
Many people coming home from jail or prison need medication, therapy, addiction treatment, dental care, mental health care, or a primary doctor. These Anaheim resources may help. You can also read our guide to Health Insurance for Felons for more coverage options.
Orange County Health Care Agency – Behavioral Health Services
Address: 405 W. Fifth Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701 (serving all of Orange County including Anaheim)
Phone: OC LINKS 24/7 Behavioral Health Line: (855) 625-4657
Best For: People seeking mental health and substance abuse treatment, medication assistance, and crisis support.
What It Offers: Mental health assessment, psychiatric treatment, individual and group therapy, case management, and substance abuse treatment programs with sliding fee scale.
Anaheim Recovery Center – Clarvida
Address: Serving Orange County with Anaheim-based services
Phone: Contact through Clarvida or OC LINKS (855) 625-4657
Best For: Medi-Cal eligible adults 18+ with serious and persistent mental illness.
What It Offers: Recovery-oriented outpatient services, psychiatric care, individual and group therapy, case management, recreational activities, and vocational support.
Anaheim Community Hospital – Substance Abuse Treatment
Address: Anaheim, CA (inpatient and outpatient programs)
Phone: Contact through website or OC LINKS
Best For: Adults seeking inpatient or outpatient substance abuse and co-occurring mental health treatment.
What It Offers: Inpatient rehabilitation, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and dual-diagnosis treatment.
OC Health Care Agency – Substance Use Disorder Services
Address: Multiple locations in Orange County
Phone: OC LINKS: (855) 625-4657 or (714) 834-2182
Best For: People seeking substance abuse treatment at outpatient or intensive outpatient levels of care.
What It Offers: Outpatient and intensive outpatient substance use treatment, medication-assisted treatment, individual and group counseling, and referrals.
Mental Health Association of Orange County (MHAOC)
Address: Multiple locations
Phone: (714) 547-1191
Best For: Anyone seeking mental health support, crisis intervention, or recovery resources.
What It Offers: Mental health crisis support, wellness center with recovery groups, life-skills classes, and connections to treatment programs.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Address: National phone and referral service
Phone: 1-800-662-4357
Best For: Substance abuse and mental health treatment referrals nationwide
What It Offers: SAMHSA provides free, confidential referrals to local treatment providers for mental health and substance abuse needs.
Legal Help, Expungement, and Documents
Legal help can make a major difference after incarceration. People may need help clearing records, reducing charges, getting IDs, handling warrants, dealing with child support, fixing tickets, or understanding employment rights. For more on record clearing, see our Felony Expungement & Sealing Information. You may also find our guides to Background Check Laws and Seven Year Background Check States helpful.
Orange County Public Defender – Clean Slate Program
Address: Multiple locations throughout Orange County
Phone: Contact through website or (714) 568-1900
Best For: Low-income individuals seeking help with record expungement and dismissal petitions.
What It Offers: Free legal services for Penal Code 1203.4 expungements, misdemeanor and felony record dismissals, and rehabilitation petition assistance.
Orange County Superior Court – Criminal Self-Help Center
Address: Multiple courthouse locations in Orange County
Phone: Contact specific courthouse location
Best For: People seeking to understand the expungement process and access court forms.
What It Offers: Self-help resources, expungement forms, information on record clearing procedures, and guidance on Proposition 47 reductions.
Record Clearing / Expungement Services – Orange County
Address: Orange County-based services
Phone: (714) 627-5727
Best For: People seeking legal representation for expungement and record clearing.
What It Offers: Legal representation for expungements, felony to misdemeanor reductions (17(b)), arrest record sealing, and free consultations.
Employment Help for Felons in Anaheim
Finding work with a criminal record can be hard, but many employers will hire you if you can explain yourself and show your skills. Ask about the question of convictions early – some employers ask and some don’t. Some are required by law not to ask. Check out our guide to Employment for Felons.
Chrysalis – Job-Readiness Program
Address: 290 South Anaheim Boulevard, Anaheim, CA 92805
Phone: (714) 204-3000
Best For: People with employment barriers seeking job training, resume help, and paid transitional work.
What It Offers: Free job-readiness classes, resume writing, practice interviews, computer lab access, professional attire, paid transitional jobs, and employment specialist support.
HIRE – Employment and Reentry Hub
Address: Serving all of Orange County including Anaheim
Phone: Contact through website for location-specific hours
Best For: Anyone returning from incarceration seeking employment training and career advancement.
What It Offers: Job readiness training, direct employer connections, career coaching, workshop series, and 72% job placement success rate.
Anaheim Workforce Connection
Address: Multiple locations throughout Orange County
Phone: Contact through website or local office
Best For: Job seekers of all backgrounds wanting employment assistance and skills training.
What It Offers: Job search assistance, skills training, resume building, interview coaching, and job placement services.
Working Wardrobes
Address: Serving Orange County with multiple sites
Phone: (714) 879-4320
Best For: Job seekers needing professional clothing, interview preparation, and career coaching.
What It Offers: Free professional attire, interview coaching, career guidance, and employment resources for those seeking work.
Education, Job Training, and Skills Development
Job training and education can help you earn more and open more career doors. There are many paths: apprenticeships, community college, trade schools, free online training, and employer-sponsored programs.
Chrysalis – Transitional Jobs Program
Address: 290 South Anaheim Boulevard, Anaheim, CA 92805
Phone: (714) 204-3000
Best For: People with significant barriers to employment needing paid work experience and skills development.
What It Offers: Paid transitional employment in Chrysalis Enterprises divisions including street maintenance (Chrysalis Works) and freeway maintenance (Caltrans partnership).
Santa Ana College – Continuing Education
Address: 1530 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, CA 92706
Phone: (714) 564-4500
Best For: Adults seeking career training, GED, English language, and citizenship classes.
What It Offers: 100% tuition-free classes for adults including career training, GED prep, ESL, citizenship preparation, and professional development.
Fullerton College – Non-Credit Workforce Development
Address: 321 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832
Phone: (714) 992-7592
Best For: Job seekers wanting trade skills, career certificates, and employment preparation.
What It Offers: Short-term certificate programs, apprenticeships, skills training, and career pathways in high-demand fields.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Help
Substance abuse is common in the reentry population. Getting clean can be life-changing. There are many options: 12-step meetings, detox, outpatient counseling, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and peer support.
OC Health Care Agency – Substance Use Disorder Programs
Address: 405 W. Fifth Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701 (serving Orange County)
Phone: OC LINKS: (855) 625-4657
Best For: People seeking outpatient or intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment.
What It Offers: Individual and group counseling, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), cognitive behavioral therapy, relapse prevention, and aftercare support.
Anaheim Community Hospital – Substance Abuse Treatment
Address: Anaheim, CA
Phone: Contact through website or OC LINKS (855) 625-4657
Best For: Adults needing inpatient or outpatient substance abuse and mental health treatment.
What It Offers: Inpatient rehabilitation, intensive outpatient programs, dual-diagnosis treatment for mental health and addiction, and medication support.
South Coast Behavioral Health – IOP Orange County
Address: Serving Orange County with locations in Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: People needing intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization programs for addiction and mental health.
What It Offers: Intensive outpatient programs (IOP), partial hospitalization (PHP), flexible evening sessions, and personalized treatment plans.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Address: National referral line
Phone: 1-800-662-4357
Best For: People who need free, confidential referrals to local substance abuse or mental health treatment
What It Offers: SAMHSA connects callers to treatment providers, support groups, and community-based organizations nationwide.
Family, Youth, and Community Support
Reentry affects families, children, and the whole community. These organizations may help with mentoring, family support, youth programs, community connection, and advocacy.
Covenant House California – Youth Housing and Support
Address: Anaheim (serving transitional aged youth ages 18-24 throughout Orange County)
Phone: Contact Orange County for referrals or visit website
Best For: Young people ages 18-24 experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
What It Offers: Emergency housing, case management, health and mental health support, independent living skills training, education support, and employment assistance.
Casa Youth Shelter
Address: Multiple locations serving Orange County
Phone: (800) 914-CASA (2272) available 24/7
Best For: Youth in crisis needing emergency shelter and support.
What It Offers: 24/7 emergency shelter, counseling, case management, family reunification, and community resources referrals.
Grandma’s House of Hope – Family and Community Support
Address: Multiple locations throughout Orange County
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: Individuals with trauma histories including those affected by incarceration.
What It Offers: Housing, case management, counseling, community building, peer support through Grandma’s Family Tree alumni network.
Taller San Jose – Hope Builders Program
Address: Serving Orange County and surrounding areas
Phone: Contact through website
Best For: Youth ages 18-28 seeking workforce training in construction, healthcare, or behavioral health.
What It Offers: Free career training, job placement, case management, and support for young adults entering careers.
Other Helpful Resources
These guides may also help if you are rebuilding your life in Orange County:
Reentry Programs in California
Best For: Statewide reentry help
What It Offers: A larger list of California reentry programs, housing resources, job help, legal support, and basic needs resources.
Jobs For Felons & Companies
Best For: People looking for work with a criminal record
What It Offers: A list of companies and job types that may be more open to hiring people with felony convictions.
Felon Friendly Apartments & Housing
Best For: People who need housing after incarceration
What It Offers: Practical advice for finding apartments, asking about background checks, and locating housing options that may review applicants individually.
Emergency Financial Help for Felons
Best For: People who need immediate help with money, food, bills, or basic needs
What It Offers: Emergency assistance ideas and places to look for short-term help.
Grants for Felons
Best For: People looking for financial assistance to rebuild after incarceration
What It Offers: A guide to grants that may be available to people with felony records.
Scholarships for Felons
Best For: People with records who want to pursue education
What It Offers: A list of scholarships that may be available to formerly incarcerated people and those with criminal records.
Resources for Felons
Best For: General reentry help
What It Offers: A broader collection of resources for people with felony records.
What Makes a Good Reentry Program in Anaheim?
A good reentry program should do more than hand you a phone number. Look for programs that offer direct help, clear intake steps, realistic services, and staff who understand criminal records.
Strong reentry programs usually help with:
- Housing or housing referrals
- Job readiness and employer connections
- Substance abuse or mental health support
- Legal aid or expungement referrals
- Identification documents
- Family reunification
- Case management
- Transportation or basic needs referrals
- Long-term support, not only one appointment
Tips for Choosing a Reentry Program in Anaheim
Call before you go. Ask whether you need an appointment, ID, proof of release, probation paperwork, parole paperwork, Medicaid information, or referral documents.
Ask these questions:
- Do you work with people who have felony convictions?
- Do you help with housing, or only give referrals?
- Do you help people who are homeless right now?
- Do you help with jobs or only resume classes?
- Do you help with expungement or record clearing?
- Is there a waitlist?
- Do I need to live in Anaheim or Orange County?
- Do you accept walk-ins?
- Are services free?
- What should I bring to my first appointment?
Disclaimer
This page is for general information only. Reentry program details, eligibility rules, phone numbers, locations, funding, and services can change at any time. Always contact the program directly before visiting. Help For Felons does not guarantee that any organization will accept you, provide housing, offer financial help, remove a criminal record, or place you in a job. This information is not legal advice. Program information on this page was gathered from official program websites, county and city sources, and direct program listings. If you find outdated or incorrect information, please contact us.
