Jean Forbath’s Enduring Impact on Orange County
Share Ourselves founder Jean Forbath passed away at the age of 95 on Monday, April 21st, 2025. She leaves behind a legacy of compassion, courage, and tireless service that transformed the landscape of care and support for vulnerable communities in Orange County.
What began in 1970 as a modest response to addressing the root causes of poverty has grown into a flourishing and impactful nonprofit organization in Orange County. It all started with a small group of volunteers at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Costa Mesa. Together, they dared to dream of a community where everyone—regardless of income, background, or circumstance—could access the services and care they needed.
Those early days of Share Ourselves (then known as Share Our Selves or SOS) were marked by boundless energy and grassroots determination. Volunteers drove school children to hot lunches, taught driver’s ed classes, supported migrant farm workers in labor camps, and gave survival English lessons. Share Ourselves became a lifeline to many.
“During those years when we were out in the community attacking the causes of poverty, we discovered all kinds of emergency needs that weren’t being taken care of—families with no food, lights, water, shoes to go to school, gas to get to work, money to pay the rent, so we backed into the emergency services business,” Jean said in a speech at the Share Ourselves 25th Anniversary celebration.
Through Jean’s clear moral vision and unwavering commitment, Share Ourselves evolved to meet the growing and urgent needs of the community. In 1978, the organization became an independent nonprofit, and in 1985, thanks to a generous gift, unshakeable faith, and the support of a volunteer physician, Jean led the effort to open the first free medical clinic despite having no healthcare professionals on the board at the time. Three years later, recognizing another gap in care, Share Ourselves launched its free dental clinic with the support of a volunteer dental provider. Today, Share Ourselves is a Federally Qualified Health Center with eight sites throughout Orange County.
One of Jean’s most enduring legacies is the Adopt A Family holiday program, which began in 1969, that she led for three decades. What started as a humble effort to bring joy to struggling families during the holidays now provides personalized gifts and essentials to over 1,200 families each year through the generosity of donors, volunteers, and the Orange County community.
Jean was more than a founder—she was a relentless advocate, a humble servant, and the heart of Share Ourselves. She served as the organization’s unpaid Executive Director for 22 years, Adopt A Family coordinator for 30, and board member for nearly four decades. Through it all, she remained grounded in the simple belief that we are called to care for one another.
Today, under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer, Christy Ward, and a dedicated team, Share Ourselves continues Jean’s vision, now offering medical, dental, behavioral health, social services, and community programs to our most vulnerable community members.
Jean Forbath taught us that no effort is too small when grounded in love and justice. Her life reminds us of what’s possible when we lead with heart, serve with humility, and never turn away from the needs of others.
Thank you, Jean. Your spirit lives on in every act of care, every family touched, and every life uplifted through Share Ourselves.
Share Ourselves Emergency Services Fund in Remembrance of Jean Forbath
Donations made to Share Ourselves in remembrance of our organizational founder, Jean Forbath, can be made in 3 different ways:
- Donate on our website at https://shareourselves.org/donate/
- Mail check to: Share Ourselves, 20151 SW Birch St, Suite 100, Newport Beach, CA. 92660
Please note that your donation is in remembrance of Jean Forbath. All donations will be applied to the Share Ourselves Social Services, Emergency Services Funding for individuals and families seeking emergency financial assistance for utilities, rent or other short-term emergency financial situations.