Dr. Bresee believed that faith was demonstrated and transformation achieved through serving others. The Bresee Foundation was established in 1982 by the Los Angeles First Church of the Nazarene to honor his example and carry out his mission. The Bresee Foundation serves more than 3,000 people on an annual basis. Residents in the area served by Bresee face significant challenges. The neighborhood is among the most densely populated in the nation and it has the highest crime rate in the city of Los Angeles.
Most residents live below poverty level and have no access to health care.
Bresee programs provide community members with access to health care, education, technology and job preparation, recreational activities and other crucial supports. The program also provides medical referrals and assists community members in registering for Healthy Families, a state medical insurance program for children. Literacy and Academic Enrichment supports the educational development of area youth and their families. The program helps students develop essential reading, writing, language arts and math skills, provides mentors, promotes literacy and encourages and prepares youth for college attendance. Technology and Employment Services operates a community computing center and job training program that offers low income community members access to computers and the training to use them, as well as access to the Internet and other technological resources.