Last Updated on: May 7, 2026
This page is for people leaving incarceration, their families, and case workers looking for reentry support in Santa Ana.
Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana, California
HIRE Orange County (Help Incarcerated Reentry Employment)
Address: 1411 W. Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802 (serves Santa Ana residents)
Phone: (714) 535-4473
Best For: Formerly incarcerated adults and system-involved youth seeking employment, mentorship, and job placement support.
What It Offers: HIRE provides direct employment services, job development with local employers, case management, and workforce training to help people rebuild careers and reduce recidivism.
Project Kinship
Address: 2821 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92706
Phone: (714) 668-3000
Best For: People leaving jail or prison who need immediate transitional support and navigation to reentry services.
What It Offers: Project Kinship provides peer navigator support, emergency essentials (clean clothes, phone charging), temporary shelter assistance, job training, mental health support, and warm handoffs to housing and treatment programs.
Families Inspiring Reentry & Reunification 4 Everyone (FIR4E)
Address: Santa Ana, CA (serving Los Angeles and Orange County)
Phone: Contact via website at fir4e.org
Best For: Formerly incarcerated people and families seeking housing stability, case management, and family reunification support.
What It Offers: FIR4E provides reentry housing, case management, family reunification services, and wraparound support to help formerly incarcerated people thrive in the community.
Santa Ana Day Reporting Center
Address: Managed by GEO Reentry Services (serving Santa Ana residents)
Phone: Contact through Orange County probation or parole office
Best For: People on parole or probation who need structured daytime programming and access to education and employment resources.
What It Offers: The Santa Ana DRC provides job readiness training, education partnerships with Santa Ana College, community connection meetings, health services referrals, and ongoing support for reentry success.
Halfway Houses and Transitional Housing in Santa Ana
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.
Mercy House Transitional and Interim Housing
Address: Founded in Santa Ana; multiple locations throughout Orange County
Phone: (714) 543-5903
Best For: Single adults and families experiencing homelessness seeking transitional housing with supportive services.
What It Offers: Mercy House offers emergency shelter, transitional residences, permanent supportive housing (Frances Xavier in Santa Ana with 16 units), and comprehensive support services for people experiencing homelessness.
Illumination Foundation – Housing Access Services
Address: 1725 W. 17th St., Ste. 101B, Santa Ana, CA 92706
Phone: (714) 507-2459 (Individuals) | (714) 507-2490 (Families)
Best For: Adults experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness needing housing placement and rental assistance.
What It Offers: Illumination Foundation provides emergency, interim, and permanent housing with health care services, housing literacy programs, workforce development, and stabilization support.
Yale Navigation Center
Address: 2229 S. Yale St., Santa Ana, CA 92704
Phone: (714) 569-2333
Best For: Adults experiencing homelessness seeking immediate shelter and stabilization services in a supportive environment.
What It Offers: The Yale Navigation Center (operated by PATH – People Assisting the Homeless) provides shelter for up to 425 adults and couples, trauma-informed services, permanent housing placement, and community reintegration support.
Pathways of Hope – Housing Programs
Address: 611 South Ford Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832 (serving Orange County including Santa Ana)
Phone: (714) 680-3691
Best For: Low-income families and individuals seeking transitional housing with case management and food distribution.
What It Offers: Pathways of Hope offers transitional housing programs (Via Esperanza, New Vista, Adelante), rental assistance, case management, and wraparound services to address housing barriers.
Friendly Center
Address: 147 W. Rose Ave, Orange, CA 92867 (serving Orange County)
Phone: (714) 771-5300
Best For: Low-income families seeking affordable housing options along with tutoring and family services.
What It Offers: Friendly Center provides food boxes, housing assistance for families, tutoring for youth, senior services, and family counseling.
Housing Solutions for People With Criminal Records in Santa Ana/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 – Housing Navigation Services
Address: Countywide resource
Phone: 2-1-1 or (949) 486-8525 (Housing Line: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.)
Best For: People seeking housing assistance, emergency rental help, and referrals to local housing resources.
What It Offers: 211 Orange County connects residents to emergency rental assistance, housing navigation services, homeless management information systems access, and referrals to permanent and transitional housing.
Orange County Community Housing Corp. (OCCHC)
Address: Santa Ana, CA
Phone: Contact via website
Best For: Extremely low-income families transitioning from homelessness toward homeownership and self-sufficiency.
What It Offers: OCCHC provides transitional housing, wraparound support services, free education programs, and a holistic approach to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Orange County Department of Social Services – CalFresh/CalWORKs
Address: 1501 E. 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 541-0100
Best For: Low-income individuals and families eligible for emergency financial assistance and rental support.
What It Offers: Orange County Social Services provides emergency rental assistance, CalFresh food benefits, CalWORKs cash assistance, and emergency aid to prevent homelessness.
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.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
Address: 8014 Marine Way, Irvine, CA 92618 (Operates through 300+ partner locations including Santa Ana)
Phone: (949) 653-2900
Best For: Food-insecure individuals and families needing emergency food assistance throughout Orange County.
What It Offers: Second Harvest distributes nutritious food through nearly 300 partner pantries, schools, shelters, and community centers; also provides CalFresh application assistance and food navigation.
Catholic Charities of Orange County – Santa Ana Food Distribution
Address: 3631 W. Warner Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92704
Phone: (714) 668-1130
Best For: Low-income individuals and families in Santa Ana needing food assistance and emergency support.
What It Offers: Catholic Charities provides food distribution Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m., along with social services and community assistance programs.
Saddleback Church – Peace Community Resource Center Food Pantry
Address: Multiple locations throughout Orange County including Santa Ana
Phone: Contact via website for location-specific information
Best For: Families needing fresh and non-perishable grocery items in Orange County and surrounding areas.
What It Offers: Saddleback provides packages with about 5 days of food, assistance once every 30 days, and operates at multiple convenient locations.
2-1-1 Orange County – Food Resource Search Portal
Address: Countywide resource
Phone: 2-1-1 (24-hour, multi-lingual)
Best For: Anyone seeking updated information on local food pantries, distributions, and emergency food services.
What It Offers: 211 provides real-time access to food pantries, walk-up and drive-thru food distributions, CalFresh enrollment assistance, and emergency food program referrals.
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 Santa Ana resources may help. You can also read our guide to Health Insurance for Felons for more coverage options.
Straight Talk Clinic – Comprehensive Mental Health Services
Address: Santa Ana, CA
Phone: (714) 828-2000
Best For: People needing free or low-cost mental health services and crisis intervention support.
What It Offers: Straight Talk Clinic provides comprehensive mental health services, free crisis intervention, and support for people with mental health challenges and substance abuse concerns.
Orange County Health Care Agency – Adult Behavioral Health Services
Address: 405 W. 5th St., Ste. 500, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 796-0200
Best For: Adults and older adults with serious mental illness, mood disorders, anxiety, or co-occurring substance use disorders.
What It Offers: Orange County BH provides individual and group therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma therapy, medication management, case management, crisis intervention, and culturally tailored services.
BeWellOC – Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment
Address: Serving all Orange County residents
Phone: (855) 625-4657 (Mental health or substance abuse) | (949) 749-2500 (Non-crisis calls)
Best For: All Orange County residents regardless of insurance or ability to pay needing mental health or substance abuse treatment.
What It Offers: BeWellOC provides comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment services, treatment navigation, and support to all Orange County residents.
Santa Ana Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services
Address: 401 West Civic Center Dr., Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 480-6660
Best For: People needing outpatient substance use disorder treatment, counseling, and recovery support.
What It Offers: Santa Ana Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services provide outpatient treatment, medication-assisted treatment, group and individual counseling, and community support connections.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Address: National phone and referral service
Phone: 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7)
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 Unit
Address: 14 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 940-6000
Best For: People seeking record dismissal or expungement (Penal Code § 1203.4) on felony or misdemeanor convictions.
What It Offers: The Clean Slate Unit helps formerly incarcerated people file petitions to dismiss convictions, provides free legal assistance, and works toward removing barriers from employment and housing.
Legal Aid Society of Orange County (Community Legal Aid SoCal)
Address: 2101 N. Tustin Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: (714) 571-5200 | Hotline: 1-800-834-5001
Best For: Low-income individuals needing free legal help with civil matters, expungement, bankruptcy, divorce, and consumer issues.
What It Offers: Community Legal Aid SoCal provides free legal consultations, representation, workshops, and access to Self-Help Centers; also serves as a referral hub for criminal defense support.
Orange County Bar Association – Lawyer Referral Service
Address: County-wide resource
Phone: (714) 541-6225
Best For: People seeking qualified attorneys for criminal defense, expungement, or other legal matters.
What It Offers: The Orange County Bar Association connects people with qualified attorneys; offers reduced-fee consultations and specializes in criminal record clearing.
Employment Help for Felons in Santa Ana
A criminal record can make finding work harder. Many employers will review your situation individually if you ask. Look for job training programs, apprenticeships, and employers who prioritize second chances.
For more, read Jobs For Felons & Companies.
HIRE Orange County – Employment Services
Address: 1411 W. Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802 (serves Santa Ana)
Phone: (714) 535-4473
Best For: Formerly incarcerated and system-involved individuals seeking job placement and career development.
What It Offers: HIRE provides job development, employer partnership, case management, workforce training, mentorship, and connections to fair-chance employers in Orange County.
Santa Ana Day Reporting Center – Job Development Program
Address: Santa Ana (contact through probation/parole)
Phone: Contact Orange County probation office
Best For: People on parole or probation needing job readiness training and employment support.
What It Offers: The Santa Ana DRC’s Job Developer nurtures employer partnerships, provides job readiness training, and connects participants to local employment opportunities and education pathways.
Orange County American Job Centers – WIOA Services
Address: Multiple locations throughout Orange County
Phone: 1-800-890-8447 (CareerOneStop National Hotline)
Best For: Job seekers with barriers to employment, including justice-involved individuals needing skills training and job placement support.
What It Offers: American Job Centers provide free job training, career counseling, apprenticeship connections, and employment support through Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs.
Goodwill of Orange County – Job Training and Placement
Address: Multiple Orange County locations
Phone: (714) 558-2500
Best For: Job seekers with disabilities or barriers to employment seeking skills training and job placement.
What It Offers: Goodwill provides job training, employment services, resume support, interview coaching, and job placement for people overcoming employment barriers.
Santa Ana College – Workforce and Continuing Education
Address: 1530 W. 17th St, Santa Ana, CA 92706
Phone: (714) 564-6000
Best For: People needing affordable career training, high school diplomas, GED completion, or college preparation.
What It Offers: Santa Ana College partners with day reporting centers and reentry programs to offer college pathways, vocational training, GED programs, and workforce development courses.
Education and Life Skills Support
Many reentry programs help with education, GED completion, vocational training, life skills, and parenting support. Ask whether programs can help with transportation, childcare, or books.
For more help, see our guides to Grants for Felons and Scholarships for Felons.
Santa Ana College
Address: 1530 W. 17th St, Santa Ana, CA 92706
Phone: (714) 564-6000
Best For: Formerly incarcerated students needing college access, GED programs, workforce training, and educational counseling.
What It Offers: Santa Ana College collaborates with day reporting centers to provide education counseling, college enrollment support, affordable coursework, and pathways to career advancement.
RESET Toolbox – Youth Resilience and Mental Health Resources
Address: Digital resource through Orange County Department of Education
Phone: (949) 900-5388
Best For: Young people and families seeking digital mental health tools and self-paced resilience resources.
What It Offers: RESET provides free digital tools, self-paced resources, and support for emotional well-being, stress management, and resilience building for youth and families.
Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Support
Recovery housing, peer support groups, medication-assisted treatment, and community recovery programs can help people stay clean and connected to their recovery.
Phoenix House Orange County – Substance Use Treatment
Address: 1207 E. Fruit Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701 (also 1901 S. Fourth Street, Santa Ana)
Phone: (714) 834-6636
Best For: Adults with substance use disorders needing residential or outpatient treatment with Medi-Cal support.
What It Offers: Phoenix House provides Drug Medi-Cal certified residential and outpatient substance use disorder treatment, detoxification, recovery services, and support for co-occurring mental health conditions.
BeWellOC – Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Address: Serving all Orange County
Phone: (855) 625-4657
Best For: People needing comprehensive substance use treatment regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
What It Offers: BeWellOC provides outpatient substance use treatment, medication-assisted treatment, counseling, peer support, and recovery navigation for Orange County residents.
Orange County Health Care Agency – Substance Use Services
Address: Multiple locations throughout Orange County
Phone: (714) 480-6660 (Santa Ana) | (949) 643-6930 (Aliso Viejo)
Best For: People needing outpatient or intensive substance abuse treatment and recovery support.
What It Offers: Orange County Health Care Agency operates multiple alcohol and drug abuse clinics offering outpatient treatment, medication management, counseling, and community recovery connections.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Address: National referral line
Phone: 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7)
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.
Families Together of Orange County – Behavioral Health Services
Address: Serving Orange County
Phone: (800) 597-7977
Best For: Lower-income and uninsured families seeking behavioral health and community support services.
What It Offers: Families Together provides counseling, supportive services, family strengthening programs, and connections to community resources for families in need.
Mosaic Movement – Counseling and Supportive Services
Address: Santa Ana and throughout Orange County
Phone: Contact via website
Best For: Children, adolescents, and adults needing counseling, mental health support, and community services.
What It Offers: Mosaic Movement provides trauma-informed counseling, supportive services, youth programs, and community connection for individuals and families.
Santa Ana College – Community Partnership Programs
Address: 1530 W. 17th St, Santa Ana, CA 92706
Phone: (714) 564-6000
Best For: Reentry program participants seeking educational access and community engagement opportunities.
What It Offers: Santa Ana College hosts monthly community connection meetings with reentry participants, provides educational counseling, and offers pathways to student success.
Other Helpful Resources
These guides may also help if you are rebuilding your life in Santa Ana/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 Santa Ana?
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 Santa Ana
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 Santa Ana/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, Orange County and City of Santa Ana sources, and direct program listings. If you find outdated or incorrect information, please contact us.
