MEND - Meet Each Need with Dignity
Invite reviews
I love this organization. They helped my mother and I through our toughest times. I always loved coming here when I was 6 years old because of the kind donations always given to us in our time of need. I hope to return the favor someday. Until then I hope that this great organization continues to thrive and help others as it helped my mother and I.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2001
What, if any, change in your life has this group encouraged?
This group helped my mother and I to survive by providing common necessities that we otherwise wouldn't have been able to afford.
I've been a volunteer at MEND for more than 10 years. What's great about MEND volunteers is we come from all walks of life. Everyone has a talent that they can contribute to this 40-year old organization that was built by volunteers! If you're looking for volunteer opportunities in the San Fernando Valley, I would call MEND. They can use the help of students, families, retirees and even working professionals who can offer their expertise in graphic design, marketing, fund raising, writing and more. If you have any doubts, I HIGHLY recommend taking a tour of the building to see MEND good work in action.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
attending some of their events where they give back to the children in the community. During their "Head to Toes" day, 2nd-grade kids from the community receive a FREE dental exam, participate in exercise activities and learn about nutrition, and the go home with a new pair of donated shoes, a back pack and school supplies. What a great way to empower these young kids!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not change a thing. After 40 years of serving the community using volunteers, MEND is a very well structured organization. In fact, I think the MEND volunteer program should be used as an example for other non-profit organizations.
More feedback...
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
Nothing. They are very well organized in coordinating volunteers and using each volunteers expertise.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
Yes. Using my PR skills on a volunteer level has helped me make new contacts in my field as well as the non-profit community in my area.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
It always makes me feel great knowing I'm donating my time to a very worthy organization. The best part is I get to see how my work and the money I donate is helping the clients MEND serves.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
For years I drove past MEND on my way to and from my daily activities without giving a thought to what it was about. One day I was counting my blessings and thinking I should be doing more to help others in my community. I contacted the volunteer coordinator and signed up to volunteer. I was so impressed with everything about them. Their kindness, their compassion, their professionalism, their organization, their facility. What a magnificent task before them and what miracles they perform everyday! I am blessed to be part of what they are doing to help the ever growing need in our community.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have witnessed countless people who are impacted in a positive way by the work they do.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Get them more help from people like me.
How can I say this...M.E.N.D is a meritorious charity group that contributes to the community around it. It has an amazing staff, and even more amazing is the amount of volunteers that spend thier time here at MEND. My time here at MEND has in my opinion "shaped me" into someone who not only appreciates the things he has, but into some one who will take time to help others, because during my time here at MEND, everyone is helping others, and it just kindof rubs off in you. Truely is an amazing feat., and not many groups can pull it off as well as this one.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I haven't been volunteering that long at MEND to say that I have personally experienced the results of MEND, however, I can say that the time I have spent here has changed the way I as an individual looks at things. After school I head to MEND thinking, "Here's another day in the office, wonder what's in stored for me" and when I walk into the actual building I see a bunch of people at different stations, and that reminds me of how important MEND's work is to the community.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I don't think I would change anything in the sense of how this organization operates, since they have done so much for the community. Even If I had a degree in business I believe that MEND has everything under control.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Some
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
Personally I would like some background music, somewhere among the lines of elevator music, but since MEND is a professional business that's trying to send to help thousands of people, they should keep it as it is. Either way my volunteer experience was incredible wether or not they had soft music in the background.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
Yes, yes it did. Before entering I wouldn't really talk to people, if they asked me about a something, but after volunteering my people skills have improved, so now i am actually capable of having a ligit conversation with random people.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
This remarkable experience at MEND makes me feel both happy and sad, since my time volunteering is almost up, but happy in the sake that I participated in an amazing company that is helping literally thousands of people with things that they need to survive.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
I had a great time volunteering at MEND, its really rewarding to feed hungry families. The MEND facility is really nice looking. The building is huge and they have a bunch of different volunteer opportunities.
More feedback...
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
one of the biggest, most well-run organizations in Los Angeles.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
For the last 39 years MEND has consistently served the poor of the northeast San Fernando Valley. Their social service programs cover a wide range of needs and offer job training as well. It is frugally run with only 6% of its budget used for administration and fund raising. It is an outstanding organization which treats the poverty stricken with respect and dignity.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
their compassionate care of up to 31,000 individuals each month. The number of those present and previous clients who return to volunteer--to give back--is truly heartwarming.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would be very proud.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the wonderful warmth of the staff and all the volunteers. They truly enjoy what they are doing.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
dedicated to social work and especially to MEND.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
present a gold standard organization that could revolutionize the social service attitude of service to the poverty stricken.
Ways to make it better...
even more individuals could be helped.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
the growing numbers of poverty stricken people. The staff have many additional projects they would like to implement to enhance services in the many programs but economy is such that they postpone them to a later time.
One thing I'd also say is that...
MEND's mission is to break the bonds of poverty by providing basic human needs and a pathway to self-reliance through the power of thousands of volunteers in an atmosphere of respect and dignity.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Filter by reviewer role:
Support This Nonprofit
Help this nonprofit get more reviews
5 tips for getting reviews