Nonprofits in California

I have supported OneSky since the very beginning 20 years ago when they were named Half the Sky. They work inside China with orphaned, developmentally disabled, and children left behind in villages. They bring hope and training to nannies and parents. They have almost singlehandedly changed the orphanage system from one of hopeless, listless babies laying in cribs, to one of joyful, bright children interacting with caregivers. They have been incredibly successful inside China due to their patient and respectful work within the Chinese system. The founder, Jenny Bowen, was even given the honor of carrying the torch during the Beijing Olympics. That says it all.

I became a Big Sister in College, 45 years ago, to a girl with Downs Syndrome. I signed up this time 1 1/2 years ago but did not start until three months ago due to dealing with my son's Mental Illness and suicide seven months ago. I was hoping for a 6-year-old Spanish speaking boy of a single parent household (like mine) who attends our neighborhood school. My "Little", Cesar is exactly what I had been hoping for, and more, and he has brought me immeasurable joy, especially now during my profound grief. We have a lot of fun together going to swimming lessons, playing with my dogs, feeding ducks, and going to the library so he can use the computer. We read together, play at the park, play soccer, make and write cards, visit horses and eat a lot of ice cream and his favorite, hot chocolate. We were very fortunate to receive a scholarship from Big Brothers and Sisters so I could obtain swimming lessons, group and private, for Cesar and we will soon be swimming in my pool with my dogs! We had a fantastic time on the Boat Cruise where Cesar was able to steer the boat for 20 minutes! The program provided Cesar with his first bike, and also one for his brother who has Autism. The program provides other activities-can't wait for the Family Picnic, that his Mother would not be able to afford. They also give a wide range of ideas of activities for us to do together that are free. In the training they give a lot of information on child development, what our role is and how to handle difficult situations. I am so grateful to our Counselor, Tania, who made a perfect match for us and keeps me constantly informed of events and sends pictures that have been taken of us. I cannot say enough about what Cesar has meant to me in my life, and our relationship continues to blossom. He has opportunities that he would otherwise not have and I get this new energetic, open, talkative, affectionate, smart child in my life. The only drawback is having to say I cannot take his brother with us because he is not in the program. It breaks our hearts to leave him behind. We desperately need more volunteers and we need full time staff to continue to do a great job. I had spent 35 years as a Clinical Social Worker with a very rewarding career and 35 years volunteering in different capacities. This has, by far, been at the top of my experiences and I hope others will consider becoming involved. It is extremely rewarding.

I am so thankful to have been apart of this great organization and to have around so many wonderful people who really care about the fellow man and woman. If any organization is deserving of praise it is this one because they have succeed time and time again at giving hope to the hopeless. My story is not really any different from all the others who have has the opportunity to meet the lovely staff and owner of this organization, but I can say that I have never met any person/persons that sacrifice so much for the empowerment of others. I thank you The Stride Center for its many sacrifices to help me better myself and show my fellowman the same.

This is my second year being at tutor at SMART and it is by far my favorite time of the week. The staff at SMART are so dedicated and organized that tutoring is a breeze and so rewarding. I feel adequately trained and prepared to help my student succeed. Of course my student is wonderful, as are all the kids at SMART, and I really feel like I'm making an impact in her life. Not only do I love tutoring at SMART simply to help a child succeed but I've made great friends with the other tutors. SMART is a great place to volunteer and I can't speak highly enough of it.

Went this weekend to see the Office exhibit & the ton of computer mice woven into a rug. The Family and I enjoyed the videos about Brain work. I have been going to Yerba Buena for almost 20 years and enjoy the huge difference between the MOMO across the street and Yerba Buena. <br> <br>-abe farag

Encompass is an unprecedented organization dedicated to raising awareness about race, gender, and sexual orientation and the ways in which teachers can better address their own prejudices in the classroom. As the parent of two children who have taken the Encompass class at LACHSA, I feel so indebted to Lori Nelson and Kevin Blake for their leadership, compassion, and skill in teaching educators and students the importance of respecting and embracing differences. I hope their program will be funded and rolled out in more public and private schools. We need Encompass values more than ever in our ever-changing world.

God bless you richly Am kabuubi Remegius from masaka Uganda East Africa and God put a burden on my heart to help the poor children in my area to have education and even helping the community with safe and clean water but I don't have job and money source just struggling with life and l kindly ask you to stand with me in this cause so that I fulfill my dream of helping the needy Please connect me to more people and organizations to stand with me in forming a foundation which will save and change people's lives and dreams into reality At least $100000 so that they get education and fit in the Era of elites and develop the whole world Thanks Kabuubi Remegius Masaka Uganda East Africa +256703924321 Whatsapp Kremegiusjonathan@gmail.com

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Think before contributing your money to this organization or partnering with them. What you see on the outside or when you first start to scratch the surface is far different from what kind of detrimental impact this organization actually has on residents in the Tenderloin and the people they staff in the name of God. Myself and others previously donated money to SFCI's school branch and were disgusted when we heard of the ways people were being treated in this nonprofit. The kids are being given a disservice- none of the teachers from the 2021-2022 school year came back to teach. The pastors can be given a housing allowance and buy espresso machines and nice speakers but won't buy masks for their students and they charge money for their BBQ outreaches to the residents because they're against "welfare mentality." The organization sends out sob stories about residents that are often exaggerated and untrue to garner sympathy for your money but the pastor and his family all make six figures. They don't need your money.

I am a single-mom-by-choice who didn't complete my education and have suffered the consequences of not doing so. I have spent my career thus far helping people. I am a credentialed Substance Abuse Counselor in the State I reside in, and have spent the majority of my career working with and helping people who society often avoids dealing with for many reasons, most of which I believe are classist, racist, and sexist in nature. My favorite population are adolescents-and I am in the minority for them being a popular demographic. I've worked primarily in the inner-city, with kids of color, from all different cultures (I speak Spanish fluently as well as some French), and while I have gained an incredible amount of professional and personal satisfaction doing so, the money isn't very good. I have gone back to school several times, but need advanced degrees which I don't have in order to make a better living. My daughter, who is bi-racial, has been raised most unconventionally, but with a true sense of empathy, fairness, and justice...seeing the corruption of these in systems we are both a part of is frightening and at the same time has made her stronger, providing perserverance and a drive to excel. I have been bothering the guidance counselor at her school for years about scholarships, knowing I would not have money to pay for college, yet feeling I owe my daughter the chance to go to school. Despite some real issues and setbacks, she is overall an A student who has attended 5 college classes while in High School, and who is one of the smartest, talented, and engaging young ladies I know--and it's not just because she's my kid even though I am biased. I bothered and bothered the counselor who, because of this, went out of his way not to help my daughter (she and I found an SAT Prep Class she won a scholarship to, and she and I found whatever information we could on our own-we were never told about some standardized tests that are required, my daughter, despite my asking the guidance counselor and administration of her school to please nominate her, was deliberately not nominated for another program I'd heard of, but that's OK) until this Spring, 2 weeks before the deadline, he forwarded an e-mail from QuestBridge that said "Last chance for College Juniors to apply for Questbridge's Prep Scholarships". In 10 days my daughter completed the application and a month later found out she had won not one, but all three awards she had applied for and qualified for! We are now in the process of the College Match Scholarship Program application which is arduous, but I never believed anything like QB was possible--in my heart I know my daughter has a good chance to be accepted into a Top Tier or Ivy League College, all expenses paid, because she has earned it and deserves it. I keep telling her she can do it--when she's crying about her essays and lack of support from school I tell her she can do it; when she is overcome by insecurity and self-doubt I tell her she can do it. I know she can, and I know QuestBridge is the only way this could happen for her. Please, if you have a high achieving child and you don't make a lot of money, got to Questbridge's website. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. It is a lot of work, but it is worth it. I wish I was in a position to work for QB myself and help kids find their way into a situation like this. Regardless, we will both be giving back what has been offered to my daughter...neither of us will break our promises to help when we can. I am incredibly grateful and humbled by the generosity of spirit that made this whole organization exist. Thank you! We'll see what happens this Fall!!!!

I have been a Juma Ventures volunteer & donor over the past 3 years. The young men & women I have met and worked with in Juma's youth entrepreneur program have had the unique opportunity to work and network with professional mentors in the community to help them determine the higher education and career path they want to pursue. The youth who participate in Juma's program learn important values and skills such as financial planning, business plan development, sales & marketing that helps them determine their path to college along with their professional dreams & ambitions. Juma Ventures is an excellent program that should be commended and acknowledged for the invaluable youth services and support they provide to their community.

Volunteering for MHOF has been such a great experience. It's rare to find people who not only care for music education, but actively devote their lives to making sure this is a reality for all children in school. Being a person that has been directly affected by a donation of instruments to my middle school - which is the only reason I continued to play music and be involved in band - I connect to their mission of "keeping music alive." It was even more refreshing to meet the people working behind this motto who constantly live this. Even though I appreciated this organization before, I can't put into words how much more I appreciate them now. MHOF will forever have my support!!

This program changes lives for the improvement of our community. One person at a time, I have watched each change agent(alumni) venture into different professions still holding the core values of Omega. <br>Alive and Free is golden. ~smr

Kids Korps was founded in 1995 in North County, and has since grown into more than 65 chapters all across San Diego County, including seven chapters in the diverse, low-income community of City Heights. More than 300 youth from this area participate in monthly Kids Korps programs at no cost, learning the value of giving back to their communities through meaningful volunteer service projects. Kids Korps is currently expanding its programs into other low-income areas, including Linda Vista, San Marcos and Vista, providing ongoing volunteer opportunities for youth from these areas to serve their communities. We also offer a free summer volunteer camp, offering low-income children from diverse backgrounds an opportunity to learn about community service. These week-long camps, held at the La Colonia Center in Solana Beach and in City Heights, engage 25+ children each week in a variety of meaningful service activities. <br> <br>Kids Korps’ low annual membership dues ($28) help cover program and operating costs for a small staff and office. Kids Korps employs three full-time staff, and is supported by the National Board, chapter leaders and Leader Korps volunteers. <br> <br>The impact of these programs is profound: more than 5,000 youth and their families participate in 1,300+ projects each year, serving the needs of more than 350 community organizations throughout San Diego County. Here’s what one of them had to say about the impact of our programs on the population that Kids Korps serves: <br> <br>STAR/PAL (Sports Training, Academics & Recreation/ Police Athletic League) is very proud to be a Kids Korps partner. One of STAR/PAL’s goals is to cultivate youth empowerment through civic engagement & enrichment activities. The Kids Korps program just seemed like a natural fit for us. STAR/PAL works with low income, inner city youth who are at a higher risk of ending up in the juvenile justice system. The Kids Korps program helps STAR/PAL keep these youth focused by empowering them to become leaders through organized community service projects. It positively affects these kids when they see how they can make a difference in someone else’s life. Whether is it cleaning up a canyon in their own communities, feeding the hungry or making warm blankets for foster youth, they know they are impacting somebody’s life in a significant way. However, what they don’t always realize, but we do, is the how they impact their own lives. Participation in these community service projects gives our youth a reason to be proud of themselves. The sense of accomplishment they feel empowers them to be leaders within their own communities. Our hope is to create a culture of “paying it forward” so that together we can make a difference! <br> <br> Aalke Heuvelman <br>Youth Center & Community Outreach Coordinator, STAR/PAL <br>

Being a part of Youth Speaks back when I was in high school was so transformational! The workshops and under-21 open mics were a great way to help me find & develop my voice and build community.

from Sydney: www.usathinkingteam.com <br>We interview people worldwide about their faith, Jews For Jesus is as honest , good and as Godly as it gets. I volunteer to help JFJ as often as possible explaining all the wonderful things that happen to an individual when The Holy Spirit of Christ is allowed to enter one's hearts. Jews for Jesus are stewards of this great mystery.

I find it quite interesting that this large nonprofit organization that successfully services hundreds of thousands of families and youth will not consider hiring, let alone interview, individuals with extensive backgrounds and experiences from other nonprofit and public service sectors (eg., teachers, parks & recreation folk, youth pastors, cultural center folk, and the like) for mid and top tier management level positions. I can understand promotion from within the ranks, but to close ranks and exclude "outsiders" is somewhat confusing.

Kids’ Turn helps children and parents <br>through parental separation. <br> <br>Kids’ Turn is the only organization of its kind. Based in San Francisco, we are the only nonprofit organization providing a comprehensive and proven program for children and family members who are affected by familial separation. Our goals are to: <br> <br>•Help children cope with parental separation. Our programs help children understand and cope with the loss, anger and fear that often accompany familial separation. We do this by providing a safe place for children to discuss their thoughts and feelings and show them that they are not alone. <br> <br>•Help family members support their children. Our programs help mothers, fathers and grandparents learn how to support their children to prevent at-risk behavior. Our programs teach the skills needed to understand the child’s perspective. <br> <br>•Support the diversity of participants. Classes are conducted locally in English, Chinese and Spanish. Our participants include people from all types of families, including single-parent homes and alternative families. <br> <br>•Demystify and de-stigmatize the separation process. Half of all U.S. marriages end in divorce or separation. Kids’ Turn promotes a healthy perspective and helps families understand that they are not alone. <br>

Glow does an amazing job of ensuring that high potential kids can attend college, by providing financial education, mentoring, and scholarships to success-ready students.