San Mateo Nonprofits and Charities

They say it is better to give than to receive, but at Samaritan House San Mateo, we do both. It is a vibrant community where you are cared for, and you care for others in return. Whether you donate clothes, cook in the kitchen, serve meals, or help children get backpacks and books for school, there is a place for everyone. If you need a hot meal, emergency financial assistance to pay a bill, or a safe place to sleep, the community is here. Our community thrives because Samaritan House reminds us that everyone has something valuable to offer, and absolutely everyone matters

Client turned volunteer! <br>My boys loved all of the different activities they got to experience PLUS the community built with other kids who were different from them. <br> <br>Later my husband volunteered and our whole family was able to volunteer as a group. Win-Win! <br>

CORA serves as the most comprehensive point of assistance for those who have suffered from domestic violence. With services including shelter, legal support, financial guidance, therapy, amazing children's programs and much more, CORA fills a gap for San Mateo County and well beyond, often serving residents across Northern California. As a former board member (and chair), I was and still am deeply impressed by the commitment and care shown every day by the CORA staff for all who come requiring services. The overwhelming level of detail and support shines through for those who most need it, with thousands helped over the decades.

I have been with Peninsula Bridge since middle school, and I am grateful of the support they have provided me. Peninsula Bridge helped me grow my network over the years, opening the doors to opportunities in various educational and career pathways. The internships they offer have helped me explore fields from biotechnology to banking, which has expanded my skill set that I can apply to any job and career field. Thank you Peninsula Bridge!

I'm not sure what they do to help people but, I was forced to work on a project for them for 4 months! It was literally the worst project I've ever had. The staff were a mess and fighting with each other. I actually decided to leave the project...even without getting paid. They begged me to come back and then decided they won't pay me. This is not a good company...and definitely not run by decent people. It's a mess.

SSMC is an important voice that supports sustainability in our county. Its programs have been accelerating positive change on the ground and its staff has been working tirelessly to bring innovative solutions to the forefront. Keep up the good work!

Horrible experience. They made end-of-life care for my grandmother one I wouldn’t wish on another family. They were inattentive, unprofessional, and lacked any care or regard for my grandmother. Please consider another hospice.

MedLend.Org is truly out to accomplish it's mission: to offer improved reproductive health care solutions to impoverished communities around the globe. <br><br>I was on staff as an administrative assistant for a few years, attending missions with them to remote areas in the Philippines, Peru, and Uganda, although I did not attend every service program or go to all the locations they service. <br><br>Once, after a particularly long day of surgeries in Uganda, ending late with a complicated AIDS patient case, the team got word after retreating to their dormitory for the evening that something had gone wrong with her recovery, and the patient could be in crisis. They rushed back to her aid immediately, and were able to stabilize her within the hour. That's the kind of leadership they have. There is no such thing as tired in the face of patients who need them.<br><br>Each mission takes a year to plan, and volunteers cycle through 3 - 4 missions per year. The cost of producing each mission, including supplies, mechanics, travel, and accomodations roughly averages $30,000 / team. <br><br>They see an average of 60 surgical patients per 7-10 day mission, and can help over 200 more at the same time, with non-surgical related issues. <br><br>Each doctor that volunteers is board certified, practicing physician in the U.S. <br><br>Partnerships with local hospitals must be organized a win-win-win, so the patients get quality care, the hospital often gets equipment or training, and the mission team gets an appropriate place to see patients for the duration of the mission.<br><br>By inviting promising medical, tech, and nursing students to attend as well, writing scholarship programs for a select few who make a commitment to future volunteer service, MedLend includes support for the next generation of medical staffers willing to dedicate their work to servicing communities with limited access to health care, thus improving the future of access to quality health care through support and experience today. <br><br>This team illustrates the definition of the term dedicated, going so far as to perform a medical mission even during the pandemic lockdown of 2020, as soon as flights began opening up for international travel. <br><br>The only staff assistant they have is usually paid as an office assistant through the medical practice, and tasked with helping market, manage, and fundraise. That way they keep costs down for the non-profit, and can commit virtually every donation dollar towards producing or supporting the mission programs abroad, for the benefit of patients.<br><br>True story from Bayombong, Philippines:<br><br> A patient had a benign tumor. Before MedLend.org arrived, her family had spent their life savings to get the diagnosis. They could not afford treatment. So, the tumor grew for 7 years. <br><br> When MedLend.Org got there, the blood banks were empty, so they scheduled her surgery for a Thursday. Meanwhile, her whole village - husband, sons, uncles, sisters - walked over 23 miles to donate blood for her. <br><br> Her surgery was successful. The tumor came out at 23 lbs. I saved a picture of it (but it tends to make people squeamish so I won't share). <br><br> The volunteers were so impressed by her village, that they made a deal with the local hospital - by pooling their personal resources - to continue providing ongoing aftercare for this patient, since the medical mission would be ending soon, in case she needed it. <br><br> MedLend knows the people they care for are so highly valued by their communities. So they regularly go above and beyond for their patients. It's not just what they do. It's who they are. <br><br> Caregivers. That word means the world to them.

OMG, they were fantastic. I am super impressed. Compassionate, gentle, caring and sensitive. I'm looking forward to my next visit.<br><br>Thank you Sonrisas!!!

I discovered Shopping for a Change through an Instagram post by actress Daniela Ruah. The level of support S4AC provides to charities around the world is amazing. I love shopping on their website, knowing the proceeds benefit these wonderful charities. S4AC, please continue to keep up the fantastic work!!

I'm a current employee who's about to relocate out of state. The staff at CID are very motivated to fulfill the organization's mission, and works with a wide array of individuals and situations on a daily basis. While you won't find a lot of super-seasoned direct service providers (the management has a lot of hands-on experience though!), the quality of work is generally at least adequate and often goes beyond what is required of staff by management or job description.

I met Donna of Rebuilding Alliance in Khan al-Ahmar, she was meeting with the leadership of this Bedouin Village and with the women to understand their concerns and fears, which she later turned into an advocacy campaign. With a local social worker, she gathered a group of children to make Pinwheels with messages of peace written on it. I felt like the community felt hopeful that people listen to them, and now I continue to follow Donna's work to bring these voices to the forefront of American consciousness.

I have been a volunteer, intern and now board member of HIP Housing for over 10 years and cannot praise this organization enough. Its mission to build self-sufficiency and empower individuals and families to achieve their own successes has changed lives for over 40 years. The housing and career development support has tremendous impact for relatively small financial investment. It is a fiscally responsible organization with very talented staff that has served thousands of San Mateo County residents and earned the respect of all cities, county government and fellow nonprofit service providers. HIP partners with local organizations to tackle challenges, is a national leader in its home sharing program and continues to innovate to best serve the needs of residents and the community.

Both of my children attended this preschool and had a wonderful experience here. The environment is nurturing and fun, with an emphasis on social/emotional learning and development. <br> <br>We have many choices for preschool in the Bay Area, and considering the competitiveness of the educational and professional environments we deal with, it is hard to resist the feeling that kids need to be pushed to be able to read, write, and do math as soon as they can hold a crayon. I debated (under a lot of family pressure) whether to go the academic or play-based preschool route with my children. I chose play-based because I decided that the most important, fundamental lessons at that age are social and emotional and that academics can be appropriately added a couple years later. <br> <br>My decision was validated on my daughter's last day of her Pre-K year at Bunker Hill, when her teacher asked her what she had learned that she would take with her to Kindergarten. My daughter's response, which surprised us both, was that she had learned to include people. Her teacher and I were incredibly touched--I still tear up when I think of it. What more important lesson could a child take away from preschool?

A very diverse school that excels in biotech and performing arts. The foundation provides funding for the extras that a public school has trouble affording.<br><br>A new computer lab an teacher grants are just two areas where the foundation has provided funding

SM Central Park Rose/Butterfly gardens caretakers.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society works with the homeless, the hungry, and the marginalized in San Mateo County. They provide the basic necessities to help individuals and families "bridge the gap" from one month to the next. They serve lunches and meals to the residents of South San Francisco, and they provide vouchers for various and basic needs (haircuts, showers, clothing, shoes etc). A simple and direct connection with the most needy. Truly a worthwhile organization deserving of support. <br> <br>Nothing fancy or extravagant ..... but without them many residents would suffer greatly.

My name is Angelica Klein and I've volunteered for the Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB) San Mateo County for many years. The SHFB is my favorite non-profit organization. Their food sorting project is well organized and it is so much fun to participate in it. The staff at the SHFB are professional, genuine and caring individuals. They have compassion for those they serve and respect for those that help them carry their mission to feed those in need. Thank you.

This organization is providing wonderful services to men, women and families touched by breast cancer. The staff is all caring, professional, helpful and always goes the extra mile. I hope that some day breast cancer is a thing of the past and we no longer need BCC, but until that time I am so thankful they are here for all who need it.

WARNING! SCAM! SCAM! SCAM! DO YOUR RESEARCH AND DO NOT GET INVOLVED! This is the excutive: Niko Safavi. Read: http://www.sfgate.com/business/networth/article/SEC-files-charges-in-Web-hoax-2810017.php

The Mid Peninsula Boys & Girls Club is my home away from home, to my wife and I. The club is a great place where I am able to give back to the community and kids'. I've been volunteering at the Boys & Girls Club for many years and the feeling is very heart felting. The staff at the club are very dedicated to their responsibilities and their number one priority are the kids'. I've seen the club make so many positive changes in the lives of all the children. This is a place where I will continue to come back year after year and support them the best that I can!

We are a small group of concerned citizens of San Mateo County who work together to improve health care delivery and access to all regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. We raise funds for diverse programs and equipment, such as The Keller Center for victims of domestic violence, The Ron Robinson Center for Geriatric care and The Bundle of Joy program which gives greatly needed medical advice, clothes and blankets for newborn babies and their mothers. Our most recent undertaking is to raise funds for a digital mammogram machine to improve the technology needed to diagnose breast cancer at its earliest and most curable stage, saving both lives and further health care costs.

This organization has single-handedly stepped up to support Hillsdale High School's classes, teachers and booster organizations in the face of State wide budget cuts.

I am writing in praise of the excellent learning opportunity provide to children through the Growing Scientist classes at Coyote Point Museum. My son, Tommy, was three-years-old when he began taking the Growing Scientist class. Tommy is the kind of child who needs extra time to become comfortable in new settings and with new people. He is particularly shy around other children. He is a bit hypersensitive to certain things (smells, touch, noise) and becomes very upset when his hands get dirty. I have been enrolling Tommy in different classes to help desensitize him and to help him learn to socialize, but the class that has made the most impact on him is the Growing Scientist class. On our very first day in the Growing Scientist class the kids examined dirt. That is to say, the other kids examined dirt. Tommy just glanced at the bin and asked if class was over. But Teacher Cat had made magnifiers available, and that, along with some half-eaten worm food, sparked an interest. Tommy stopped asking if we were going to go home. Over the last few months Tommy has had several opportunities during class to examine insects, reptiles and amphibians in their natural environment. Tommy still refused to touch dirt with his hands, but I could sense he was becoming more comfortable with the idea. Imagine my surprise this past weekend when he actually brought me 2 earthworms he had found, and he was carrying them in his bare hands! One of our first experiments in the Growing Scientist class involved dropping different objects into buckets of water. Tommy became almost frantic when some of the objects began to sink, because he is afraid of losing things. He has now observed and/or participated in enough experiments to become fairly comfortable with the idea of things sinking, changing form, etc, yet I still expected him to become upset when Teacher Cat brought out the Alka-Seltzer rockets. I thought he would panic when the &ldquo;rockets&rdquo; shot into the air, but he actually helped to make the rockets and really enjoyed watching them. One series of classes was devoted to animals such as mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds. Teacher Cat brought out different animals for the children to touch and examine. By the end of this session Tommy was enthusiastically touching anything that was offered to him. I didn&rsquo;t realize that this would carry over into another of his classes. I had enrolled Tommy in Spanish classes around the same time that he started the Growing Scientist classes. He liked his Spanish class except for one thing: the puppet show. Each week they would use different puppets to help teach new words. Tommy has always been afraid of puppets. Then one day we were watching the puppet show and a huge, hairy tarantula puppet came out. The kids all became very upset, with one little girl even breaking into sobs. Tommy just sat stoically on my lap, and I wondered what he was thinking while I reminded him that spiders are our friends. The teacher stopped the class and asked if anyone wanted to come up and touch the spider. The kids became even more upset. She asked again but the kids were visibly shaken. I asked Tommy if he wanted to touch the spider. He said yes and jumped up, walked up to the puppet and petted it several times. When the other kids saw this they calmed down and some of them became brave enough to pet the spider as well. As Tommy walked back to me, he had a huge smile on his face. He knew he had done something that none of the other kids could do. I know that some of the improvements that Tommy is making are due to the normal developmental process. However, I fully believe that many of the changes I am observing are a result of Tommy&rsquo;s experiences in his Growing Scientist classes. Teacher Cat&rsquo;s gentle encouragement and the enthusiasm of the other children have made Tommy feel safe to explore, to create and to experience new ideas and activities that he could not or would not do otherwise. I am so happy that we have found such a great learning opportunity, and you could not have a better teacher than Catherine Brett . She is outstanding. With her creativity, patience, flexibility and gentle nature she truly is an asset to the early education program at Coyote Point.

I have been a member since 1974 and found INSAF to be very helpful for poor students in India and, also, in U.S.A. INSAF has no office, no paid employee; all members work without any pay and follow through the projets personally. Its opersting expenses are less than 1 % Any member can initiate a project and INSAF gives matching funds within limits of its resources.