Sonoma Nonprofits and Charities

I had the pleasure of visiting Chicuchas Wasi Girls School in May 2016 along with 11 other visitors. We saw first hand the positive impact the Peruvian teachers have had on the 110 girls, their family, and their community. The teachers have focused classrooms not only on various academic subjects but also on cultural appreciation, and personal growth, and responsibility. Each class of students enthusiastically preformed a disciplined, well rehearsed song, dance, poem, reading, or drama. We all shard a meal prepared by their indigenous parents who are thrilled to have their girls in school, knowing that because of an education life will offer their children opportunities that unfortunately they themselves never were given. <br> I wholeheartedly encourage your support of Chicuchas Wasi Girls School . Almost 100% of funds raised goes directly to support the school. <br>Betty W

If I were a farm animal, especially an injured, disabled, or unwanted one, I would want to live out my life at Charlie's Acres. The staff there are so caring and compassionate and really live to serve their animal residents. The grounds ae spacious and beautiful and the staff always are looking for ways to not only protect the animals, but to enrich their lives. <br> <br>The programs at Charlie's Acres have been expanding steadily--adding barn crawls, summer camps, and the adoption of animals by school classes that can meet either in person or virtually with the animal they have adopted. These innovations help promote the ethical treatment of animals and open minds to the possibilities of a vegan lifestyle. Charlie's Acres is a great place to visit too, as it is located in the Sonoma wine country, near to many attractions of Northern California. The tours are interesting and provide for a lot of hands on contact with the animals. <br> <br>Although I live in the Midwest and can visit Charlie's Acres only occasionally, I am happy to support its mission as a donor.

My son was diagnosed with Leukemia May of 2009. We were told of this group by friends whose son also had Leukemia. Our first meeting, we were welcomed and made to feel at home! It is comforting to know that other families have gone through the same struggles and have come through them stronger than before. I am thankful and appreciative for all of the hard work the volunteers and organizers of Children's Cancer Community put into their roles!

My husband and I met Dr. Rodney in San Francisco when he gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of the big cats at the SF Zoo. There was a beautiful snow leopard there and we fell in love with her. We are so appreciative of all that Dr. Rodney and the whole staff are doing to protect these beautiful creatures. We must all do all we can to help them and others who are working so hard to save them.

My last 2 visits to the clothes closet have been dreadful. I waited over an hour to be # 4 in line just to be told that I cant bring my 3 year old in with the stroller. I explained that I am 6 months pregnant and cant hold on to him and remove items from hangers at the same time. I was told too bad shes in charge and that I was repeating myself and that I should not bring my son our I should come another day, after the time prior the same lady forced me to change days, or loose my spot in line and go in after everone else. According to the website they help mothers in need. I sure dont feel like it. Both times I was humiliated this last time I was told to shut up by only one older single “friend” of the volunteer in line for defending the fact that I can not leave my son in the car alone and was told well hire a babysitter and she would purposely complain so I couldn’t come.. seriously?! Everyone else agreed with me and was shocked by the volunteers behavior and said that in no way was I in anyone's way. I left in tears embarrassed and really offened as to why I even have to put in that situation. Not once but now twice. If I didn’t need the clothes I wouldn’t waste my time and if I had help trust me I would much prefer to run errands on my own, however I do not have any help or family in this state.

FAHA Manor's residents consistently tell me that they love living at FAHA. It is a very safe yet active community for those that want to be involved. The grounds are beautiful and new renovations have started to improve all the common areas inside from the lobby to hallways. There are activities from exercise classes to gardening, saunas and swimming. Families are welcome to come and visit and to participate in the wonderful events put on throughout the year.

The "Play On Foundation" is an extrodinary foundation, providing children with the opportunities to play to play soccer. Gear and full scholarships are provided which allows those who do not have the funding. Please, support the "Play On Foundation"!

The Finnish-American Home Association has been an important part of my life for decades. Begun originally with a vision by Northern California (especially Berkeley) Finnish-Americans to provide housing for older Finns, it has developed into a wonderful campus in Sonoma that provides housing for low- and moderate-income folks of ALL ethnicities and orientations as well as fun and educational Finnish cultural events. While the participation of my grandmother and father in hands-on fundraising and construction of the facility back in the '70's were my initial exposures to FAHA, the regular experience of taking a Finnish sauna and its associated comradery was an ongoing draw for me, as were the annual Juhannus (Mid-Summer) Festivals and other fun events held there. I've more recently joined the Board of FAHA, along with many hard-working volunteers, to make sure this fine facility is here for future generations, and to ensure that our housing facility (FAHA Manor) maintains its very high standards for our many dozens of residents to enjoy.

I was there in the late 70s and today I wish I would have stayed there. I can still remember the Hanna center funny money. Cleaning the windows with vinegar and water and newspaper. Those were the days when Sammy Davis Jr was a big sponsor. I was able to purchase a brand new bicycle that he donated. And it only cost me twenty dollars in Hanna center funny money. I don't remember exactly when but I and a couple of other boys were working in the kitchen and we locked the cook in the walk in fridge and we ran away. The rains were very heavy that year and I remember riding a bicycle in the floods and the water was up to the handlebars. If you are there now. Please stay learn what you can and trust in the Lord....Tyler Stoltz

Necesito ayuda para darles a mis hijos un hogar que mañana tengo que desalojar por favor ayúdame

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We adore ARTescape. It’s a community hub. Welcoming all to come. Fun to create in a safe space. Learn a skill. Develop a skill. Make a friend. Try something new. Everyone and everything is welcome. We have held our daughter’s birthday party here. Both girls have attended summer art camps and Friday teen nights. Caring staff. I can’t say enough. It’s a delight to have ARTescape in our community. For our community.

The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation is making a HUGE difference for the public schools of Sonoma Valley. SVEF funds innovative programs for students in preschool through high school. The focus of the foundation is early childhood literacy, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and work based learning opportunities. 80% of all local students attend public schools, and SVEF is making sure Sonoma Valley has top notch public schools. Support public education!

If you care about art and want to see art thrive in Sonoma, CA, the Sonoma Valley Art Museum is a great way to put your volunteer efforts and time to good use! This sophisticated and accessible museum averages four special exhibits a year, with many exhibits focused on California and West Coast artists of broad renown. As a volunteer you can work the front desk, greeting visitors and sharing a few words about the current exhibit. You can also train to be a Museum Guide and conduct tours. And there's always a need for hands-on support of special events. I've had a lot of fun volunteering at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, and been privileged to meet some of the artists and learn about their work and contributions to Sonoma's lively art scene. And the staff are museum professionals--all a pleasure to work with. Give the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art a try!

Sonoma Community Center provides an amazing gathering place in Sonoma for all kinds of creative and artful endeavors. I began coming here for Free Spirits Gospel Choir and this has bloomed into a whole wonderful world of music and friends. I highly recommend SCC for all it offers and for its outstanding contribution to the community of Sonoma.

My husband volunteers in the after school homework club at the high school. I became acquainted with the ED and Board at the fundraiser SVTS had this summer. The leaders are energetic and committed to providing opportunities to kids who have few family resources. I was inspired. <br> <br>I've been involved with nonprofits for many years as a volunteer and an employee so appreciate that this organization isn't glitzy or full of glam and high costs. What you see is what you get; you get a catering and bicycle repair business, a café in the high school, assistance with homework, and a lot of fun on outdoor trips.

As a non-profit professional, I can attest that Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue (SCWR) is dedicated 100% to it's mission. Assisting ill, injured, and orphaned native Sonoma County wildlife, accepting full responsibility for these creatures, and ensuring each one of their differing needs receives the highest level of rehabilitative care. The dedicated caring staff, and the many loyal volunteers ensure professional veterinary care, appropriate nutrition, and safe, enriching enclosures are provided to every wildlife inhabitant, all on a shoe-string budget. SCWR continues to be a much needed, reliable resource who's core mission sustains the balance of life for all members of our community.

The S/PSHPA has been in existence for over three decades. It has supported the work of the Sonoma and Petaluma State Historic Parks including the Mission de Francis de Solano, the Barracks, the Vallejo Home and te Petaluma Adobe by providing funding for interpretive and educational programs. In 2011, the Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park was threatened with closure due to budget cuts. S/PSHPA led the campaign to raise funds to keep the park open and raised over $70,000. The S/PSHPA entered into an agreement with State Parks in May 2012 to fund the operations of the park for a year. This Agreement was amended in 2013 when following the discovery of additional funding at the State Parks, a matching grant agreement was entered into and the Petaluma State Historic Park will remain open under the Agreement until June 30, 2014. The S/PSHPA has also raised $15,000 in funds for a building assessment of the Petaluma Adobe so that it can better preserve the structure, once the largest adobe building in Northern California and center of General Mariano Vallejo's 66,000 acre ranching operation. <br>The S/PSHPA is governed by a Board of Directors representing citizens of Sonoma and Petaluma and meets monthly. There are many challenges ahead to better preserve, interpret and manage the Sonoma nad Petaluma State Historic Parks but the S/PSHPA has grown in te past two years to meet these challenges in an open and transparent way. Membership to the S/PSHPA entitles members to discounts with a local Business Partner program. Membership and Donations can be made via website at http://sonomaparks.org/ or by mail at PO Box 1702, Sonoma, CA 95476.

USA New Horizons was established as a vehicle to receive donations from the community in support of ongoing programs in El Salvador. The El Salvador program was originally established by St. Andrew Presbyterian Church of Sonoma in the wake of earthquakes and floods in that country which had devastated a small village of Buenos Aires near Sonsonate. The church's program was further supplemented in subsequent years by the creation of USANH, enabling contributions by non-church members to assist the program. The church's efforts have helped build a new school building, a community center, stabilize a hillside area used for recreation and provide computers and sewing machines to the village. Additional assistance has included contributions of drugs and medicines to hospitals and clinics in El Salvador. It should be noted that the Church program is one which serves by example rather than outright efforts to prosyltize. I have personally had the privilege of participating in one of the church's outreach efforts....spending 10 days there to chronicle the building of the school and it was one of the highlights of my life. The villagers of Buenos Aires have done much on their own in terms of sustainable agriculture and the installation of a safe water supply. The funding, donations and support provided by St. Andrew and the contributions to USA New Horizons have given the village resources to help them help themselves. This is a great non-profit organization and one making a real difference in a small part of a very poor country. A more detailed look at the work being done in Buenos Aires can be found at http://www.andrewpres.org/mission/international-outreach/el-salvador/

Beyond Hunger is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals overcome the obsession with food and weight and find a natural, loving and peaceful relationship with their food, weight, and selves. They provide support groups, workshops and education for adults and adolescents with eating disorders. Beyond Hunger uses a non-diet approach to explore body hatred and the psychological, cultural and spiritual issues underlying disorder eating. <br> <br>As part of the Peer Education Program, Beyond Hunger has trained peer educators (ages 15-22) to teach teens about body image issues and eating disorder prevention through classroom presentations.

Children's Medical Aid Foundation (CMAF) is like the little engine that CAN. Operating on a small budget and no paid staff, CMAF is making a significant impact on the lives of impoverished families in Nepal, both through its Corrective Surgery Program and medical clinic development projects. Founder and CEO Carol Vernal has made this work her life's passion. She is to be commended for the committed relationships and trust she has built with Nepalese government agencies, NGOs and communities.