Marin Family Action (MFA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower low-income families and individuals to actively participate in improving their social and economic quality of life.  We are a 501(c)3 agency working to help create affordable and sustainable living for all in Marin County and establishing community safety programs in both Marin County, California and Fort Myers, Florida.

MFA is very passionate about the work it provides and feels that if our constituents know their right as consumers, and are shown the proper steps to address their financial matters, we will make a change, not only in their personal lives but also in the broader community.

Our objective is to educate families and individuals on using resources provided by MFA, including understanding their credit reports, their rights as consumers, dealing with credit card company’s, answering credit card judgments, filing for bankruptcy, and understanding how to stabilize their finances through adult and youth financial literacy workshops.

(Image above: Executive Director Manny Fernandez in front of the Marin Justice Center.)

History

Marin Family Action was started in 1988 by Dorothy Hughes, who is included in Marin Women's Hall of Fame. She was known an an organizer who was always there when needed. (Community Action Marin named a Humanitarian Award after Dorothy Hughes.)

Manny Fernandez began giving free seminars in homeless and transitional housing facilities in Marin County. His seminars helped low-income families understand the steps needed to resolve credit problems and obtain affordable housing. The seminars developed into a program, which later merged with the already-established Marin Family Action (MFA).

In 2003, Manny became Executive Director of Marin Family Action. After four years of utilizing office space in the First United Methodist Church in San Rafael, MFA was asked by the Marin Community Foundation to participate in a one-stop shop of resources at the Marin Justice Center in San Rafael. Through MFA, Manny has been able to assist families in locating affordable housing, obtaining health insurance for children, repairing credit, gaining control of their financial situations, and learning the basics of home ownership.

(Image: Manny with his son, Nick, being honored at Heart of Marin Awards.)

Through Manny, Marin Family Action's focus has grown to include Neighborhood Safety Programs, beginning with Neighborhood S.A.F.E. (Safe and Friendly Environment) in Novato, California and in Fort Myers, Florida. This program started with a multi-pronged approach at making our neighborhoods safe and friendly for families.

On September 15th, 1962 in the small town of Yuma AZ, where the borders of Mexico, California and Arizona meet, Manny Fernandez was born into a family of seven children. Manny grew up helping his single mother and learned the importance of community at a early age. During his younger years, he worked to be a leader in everything he did. His passion was to bring everyone together, an believed that anything was possible. With his hard-working mother and grandmother to guide him, Manny's mission in life was clear: To work hard and help the community.

His grandmother was an inspiration. One day while driving her to work at a convalescent hospital, he asked "Grandma, what do you do at work?" She replied that she took care of old people and she cleaned them when they would mess on themselves. He exclaimed "Oh, my God! Why do you do that?" She said because someone has to. From that day forward he believed it was his mission was to help community.

At the age of seven, Manny and his family moved to Fontana, California where he graduated from Fontana High School in 1980. His mother thrived in the real-estate business, and subsequently was elected to public office in 1996. She has since been referred to as Amazing Grace Vargas, Honorable Mayor of Rialto, California as she continues her fourth term in office.

In 1984, Manny married and had two children, Christa Fernandez and Nicholas Fernandez. Always a "Mr. Mom," Manny was active with keeping his children in sports, teaching conferences, helping in classrooms to make certain sure children did not cause problems, attending ball games, and taking family vacations once a year.

However, after seven years, Manny fell victim to bad credit and lost his home to foreclosure. His wife took the children and moved to San Francisco to begin a new life. He stayed behind in Southern California, but after 18 months of missing his children, he I moved to Marin County. It was not an easy move due to bad credit from the foreclosure, and Manny decided to work on clearing up his credit. He opened a checking account and found an affordable place to live. In 1996 Manny learned of Hamilton Air Force Base affordable housing project and wanted to participate in that program, but needed to get his financial problems solved.

Finding the solutions to resolve his bad credit took two years of trial and error. After finding those answers, he wanted to share his knowledge and resources with everyone and anyone who was experiencing the same situation.

"As I felt in my younger years, I believe one of my primary missions in life is to help my community. I believe that by helping families navigate the difficulties of bad credit and teaching them about affordable housing helps build a stronger community. Through Marin Family Action, I continue to follow this passion."