Metropolitan Family Service

Each year, throughout the greater Portland, OR and SW Washington area, MFS helps more than 30,000 children, families and older adults who struggle because of inadequate education, health issues, social isolation, unemployment, and poverty. We develop lasting solutions that bridge gaps, create equity and demonstrate respect and value for every person.

MFS delivers proven programs to help people succeed at home, in school and in the community. For over 60 years, we’ve joined forces with key community partners from education, healthcare, business and government to create opportunities that change lives and make communities stronger. Our commitment to children, families and older adults encourages people across the lifespan to realize their full potential.

We focus our work on three critical community initiatives: 1) Early Childhood Development and Youth Success; 2) Community-Based Health and Wellness; 3) Economic Well-Being. Specifically, MFS strengthens early childhood development and builds youth success through collaboration and innovation, so that every child gets a good start in life and has the opportunity to grow into a healthy, educated, productive, engaged member of our community. MFS develops and promotes effective approaches to community-based health and wellness throughout the lifespan so that people are equipped to play an active role in their well-being and societal costs for healthcare can be reduced.  MFS advances individual and family economic well-being so that people in our community can live with dignity, security and purpose.

Our areas of focus reflect our community and support our mission. With a program budget of $7.1 million, 200 staff (most of whom work part-time), and over 2,000 volunteers, MFS provides services to people who face barriers to success including poverty, unemployment, language, and cultural isolation. More than half of MFS program participants are from communities of color. Measurable results include increased learning for children, improved family dynamics, and stability of older adults living independently.

In addition to providing quality programs, MFS is known for convening important community dialogues and taking a leadership role on issues that impact thousands of program participants.

All programs are collaborative and involve working with more than 400 public and private partners to leverage resources, avoid duplication, and increase effectiveness. We are passionate about our mission and services because we believe that regardless of income, cultural identity, zip code, age, or language spoken, everyone deserves to have equitable access to knowledge, skills and support. By intervening early via preventive programs with demonstrated impact, we can reduce risk factors, set the foundation for wellness and success and avoid costlier systems of care.