Woodstock Nonprofits and Charities

Young at Heart endeavors to create a beautiful, comfortable and safe haven for homeless senior pets. Staff have a great affection for each cat or dog fortunate enough to find their way there. They are treated as individuals and accommodations are made for little quirks and preferences. Volunteers are welcomed with the same respect and kindness.

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County became an accredited land trust in August 2019, a status that can be renewed every five years. Accreditation means The Land Conservancy of McHenry County meets national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. The Land Conservancy of McHenry County demonstrated to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission its commitment to excellence. Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. These land trusts demonstrate the commitment to excellence by adopting Land Trust Standards and Practices, the ethical and technical guidelines for the responsible operation of a land trust, and meeting the accreditation requirements drawn from them. To learn more about land trust accreditation and the current accreditation status of The Land Conservancy of McHenry County, visit http//www.landtrustaccreditation.org/about.

Hooved Animal Humane Society received a grant from the National Anti-Vivisection Society that would help them create more space for our equine friends. The staff and volunteers are kind, compassionate, and committed to providing the best care they can to the animals in their care and in their community.

It would be a small remark to say that Spirit Center produces a "Good Product". This would be a business/ marketing catch phrase. Dave and Serena are Stewards of a safe recovery transitional home, shepherding those who choose to become "Good Citizens" and then contribute in a refreshed way to their community through the improvement of themselves and others.<br>As a member of their board, I witness the kindness and life example set forth by these mentors to promulgate a sense of love and hope through their actions and have watched thus message passed on.<br>Good Work~<br>Mike Sarkady

The McHenry County Defenders is a formidable agency that has had impactful results in defining and keeping McHenry County environmentally healthy. The Defenders is a volunteer organization that attracts educated and informed members that support policy and planning that puts respect for our natural world as a priority in decision making. They came out for my community with science and fact to fight against a developer who wanted to build a large truck depot in a residential area. I'm a member (for about ten years) and now I participate, learning how to find solutions and improvements that are good for people and the natural world. Improvements to Fleming Road (in Bull Valley) for example. The Defenders, working with the community, found a way to keep the rural winding road in its exiting footprint and preserve the aesthetics of the area, while improving the road surface and flood control. It took some time and patience, but the result was impressive. The County spent less money and used a recycling method for the asphalt. These are only two examples of positive outcomes. There is so much more ... but these two stand out for me. Right now the Defenders is working on educating the community about the ever changing role of recycling and initiating a place to get polystyrene collected and out of the landfills. The members are always thinking and watching, with our earth and our local land as the benefactor - for the sake of our good health.

Jazz on the Square holds a jazz jam every other Friday in Woodstock, IL at the Stage Left Cafe next to the Opera House. The core group is awesome by itself, but also is joined by other area musicians from students (even Jr. High!) to professionals. The support is incredible, so no one gets turned away and is encouraged to come back. The group also provides summer music camp scholarships to students who like to play jazz, helping the community to add more music. Every year they host a Jazz Festival and host some of the great jazz groups playing today. For a small community, Jazz on the Square provides music in a big way. Come out to play, sing, or just listen and enjoy!

I have been a patient at the clinic for years. They treat me with respect and allow me, an uninsured young woman, to be able to afford my regular exams and also treat me every now and then when something comes up. The entire staff from the doctors to the nurses to the receptionist to the volunteers are very friendly and make you feel welcome and comfortable. I cannot be more thankful for this organization it has really made a huge impact on my health. I have also participated in their annual 5k for Breast Cancer, which although is a small token appreciation, it really shows that I appreciate everything they do for me. Thank you for your service and dedication to us, your patients.

We all make mistakes. Life is about accepting those mistakes, learning from them, overcoming them and not making the same mistake again. Kindness, love, acceptance, understading and respect....for yourself, for others. Shari and the Rebekahs House are changing lives and there is no greater gift you can give someone.....kindness, love, acceptance, understanding and respect. Thank you for all you do!