About Us

Changing Lives

58,507 Service hours

were provided by peer counselors in Older Adult Services.

Opening Doors

635 participants

were supported by volunteer counselors in 2023.

Who We Help

We support 2 counties: San Mateo and Santa Clara. Our programs reach all ages from birth to 100 + years.

Children & Families

Early Learning curriculum, STEM from the Start, support for ages birth to 12 years, healthy meals, and therapeutic interventions.

Financial Stability

Financial education for teens and adults, loan information, lending circles, prepaid debit cards, and credit building tools.

Employment for Older Adults

Mature worker skill building, resume development, job search coaching, specialized workshops, and networking.

Older Adults Thriving

Resource hotline, transportation, peer counseling, Fair Oaks Adult Activity Center, and technology training.

Our History

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1950

We Opened Our Doors

Peninsula Family Service opens with only two staff members.

1961

Auxiliaries

First auxiliary was established. The auxiliary’s silent auction held in May was the first of hundreds of benefit events.

1967

Family Fashion Fair Shop

Members of Family Fashion Fair, 621 San Mateo Ave., San Bruno, Mmes. Thomas F. Pokorny, left; Ernest Robinson, Fred Bauer, and J. M. Garcia, volunteer of the year.

1973

Child Day Care

Family Service launched an innovative network of neighborhood family day care homes in Redwood City with funding by the State Department of Education.

1973

Infant Care Center

San Mateo Infant Care Center opens for children age 12 months – 2 years.

1982

Life Board Member

Ms. Ruth Wisnom is inducted into the Honorary Life Board, and continues to be part of the PFS family today.

1989

South San Francisco

Family Service took on management of Leo J. Ryan Intergenerational Child Development Center in South San Francisco.