Grants Pass Nonprofits and Charities

I have been a donor to Adopt-A-Village Guatemala for over a decade. It is a 100% volunteer organization, possibly with the exception of a part-time secretary, so all of my contributions go to the education of the deserving and underserved indigenous Mayans in Guatemala. Over the years there has been tremendous progress in completing a high school that prepares village-dwelling children for real jobs. Those children consistently out score their city counterparts on standardized tests. The knowledge they bring back to their homes lifts the entire community. Modern farming and animal husbandry skills are taught, as well. There is community outreach for preschool children to teach the basics so they are prepared for public school if not able to attend an AAV school. This includes teaching them Spanish, which is not their native tongue, but is the language used in public schools. AAV has done remarkable work with the funding they receive.

Hi everyone,<br><br>My name is Ashley Cook. I’m a board member and a Parent Advocate for MEC.<br><br>I started out going to Sensory Space with my Autistic son, Oliver, back in October 2023 when it opened. I had seen blurbs about their grand opening on Facebook and was curious to check it out and see if Sensory Space would be a safe and accepting place for my kiddo and myself to make more friends.<br><br>From the start I was really blown away by what Nikki Sanger and Jess Hawkins had created. We felt welcomed and included and important and loved from the start. <br><br>I was really worried about taking my son anywhere then. He was only semi verbal and mad a lot of screeching and squealing sounds everywhere we went. Nikki and Jess didn’t cause any fuss about it and Jess could even relate to my kiddo’s way of communication, having been through the same with her own Autistic son.<br><br>My son and myself through Sensory Space have found a place of community and belonging. My son finally has friends, he had his first birthday party, he even played his first sport (T-Ball), all by being involved with Sensory Space.<br><br>Nikki and Jess helped us get connected with better resources in our community. Thanks to them both my son now is seeing a doctor that helps advocate for my son, he’s with a better DSP organization, we’ve also found an OT place we love, and more.<br><br>Thanks to Nikki and Jess I’ve found that my true passion in life just isn’t working in Special Education but it’s advocating and supporting other parents and families like my own so they don’t have to hopefully face the hardships we’ve had to go through and that if they do they know their not alone in this world.<br><br>I was happy to accept a place on MEC’s board this summer and am very excited to be working with not only local families but families all over the states.

The executive director of this location recently stated in an interview that the members of the community who provide clothing for the homeless in Grants Pass should not do this. He further stated in the same interview that rather than the homeless living in the local parks they should go live in the wilderness areas. Consider that in Grants pass black bear are VERY common in those areas. It is clear that this man is NOT a man of faith. DO NOT support his organization!

Over my 72 years, I've been involved with Humane Society's all around the country. I've fostered, adopted, and medically cared for animals in various HS's. I even adopted a cat from RVHS a few years ago, I still have him and love him dearly. However this review is about RVHS. They are by far, the worst HS I've ever come in contact with. The staff and management are the most petty, money grubbing people I've ever seen, including the local vets. The money for adoption is premier to them. Someone recently dropped off a pregnant female that decided to show up at my country property and delivered 4 kittens. They were feral by the time she brought them around for me to see them. I domesticated, wormed, defleaed, all of them, had the mama and the runt examined, spayed, shots, etc., as I decided to keep those two. Two of the other three were ready for adoption, one needed another week of attention. I took the two to RVHS to adopt out. They were in better shape than the cat I adopted years earlier from RVHS. They treated me like I was dirt, and refused to take the two kittens, and in my opinion are the absolute worst people I've ever met. I'll never go there again, or recommend them to anyone.....to the detriment of the poor animals they broker.

I know a young girl that strived to thrive in a broken home fraught with drug addiction and mental health disorders. The day after her father attempted suicide the principal called her into his office to introduce her to a lady named Rebecca. Now, Rebecca wasn't just any ordinary school counselor. Her job title was 'Behavioral Specialist' and she worked for College Dreams; a 501 (c) (3) located in the young girls hometown in Southern Oregon. The young girl was offered to join College Dreams, a program for students that aspired to go to college but need guidance and professional counsel because of life circumstances that could potentially prevent education success. The young girl was told that if she wanted to be in the program she would have to commit to maintaining at least a 2.75 GPA, be drug free, and stay out of trouble; that if she stayed true to that commitment then she could be awarded college scholarships among other privileges such as having her sport of choice paid for. She was thrilled that she was asked to be a part of College Dreams and took home all the information Rebecca had given her to show to her grandparents. From that day forward she was a College Dreamer! <br>College Dreams provided her with wonderful adult guidance throughout high school. Her counselor encouraged her and inspired her to pursue her dream to join the Navy and serve her country and attend college. Not only did the staff at College Dreams shower her with genuine care, understanding and direction, but because of College Dreams she was also awarded a few small scholarships that she eventually used for college tuition. She was also allowed to use her scholarship money to buy a laptop and printer for her online courses.<br>Thirteen years later, this young woman is now a five year Navy Veteran and a full-time college student at UTSA majoring in Public Administration and minoring in Non-profit management. I know this story so well because I was the young girl that is now the young woman living out her college dreams. I don't know where I would have ended up if I was never called into the principles&rsquo; office that day. Sadly, like many other predisposed youths I could have easily become a high school drop-out and addicted because that was the line I was walking when College Dreams had stepped in to re-direct me.<br>College Dreams is why I give. I understand the importance of organizations such as College Dreams because of my own experience and how my life was positively impacted by a local nonprofit. I give because I have hope for my community and the youth in it that want to thrive despite their unfortunate life circumstances. I want to give because I know that I am not the only person out there that has a positive impact story to tell. It means a lot to me that I am able to give back to the organization that helped me to become the person I am now; a person capable of giving! Every time I give back to College Dreams, no matter how small the dollar, it is meaningful for me because I am reminded of the wonderful people like Rebecca that pour their heart and soul into helping mold others in a beautiful and compassionate way.<br>http://www.collegedreams.org/

This organization was started about twelve years ago, as a break-off from another computer club, here in Grants Pass. Those of us who formed COMPUTERBUGS had a different agenda going and decided to work with seniors in a different manner. Some members still belong to both clubs, with assisting them with computer skills being the main agenda. <br> <br>We have been a non-profit organization since the beginning, when we formed our organization, wrote up our Bylaws and Constitution and proved to the IRS what we were doing was for the benefit of seniors in and around Grants Pass, Oregon. We had over 350 members, originally, but with the advancement of computers and going into Smartphones, IPads, etc., computers are being used less and less, so our membership stand around 80; thus, our funds are slowly disappearing and it is a little scary to understand that problem. We still have to pay rent and replace the laptop computer, every now and then, so we might have to adjust our membership fee's, which are quite low. Our group has a great newsletter that is put out monthly by our editor, Alan Burt. We are now meeting in a church, which is in the center of town, so that makes it easy for folks to travel to, whether one is a city or a county resident. We only meet twice a month, usually, for a Question & Answer ( Q & A) session and then on the second Wednesday, we have a presentation from someone on computer programs, photography, etc. <br> <br>Our group is a very friendly and fun group that members respond to, especially when seeking answers about computer problems that they might have come up with. We have adjusted our age requirement from being 55 and above, to any adult, basically. We're always looking for new members, whether they're computer proficient or a neophyte.

A group of individuals who caters to the general public--most of whom are above 55-years of age and enjoy working with computers, or learning more about them. Classes are offered with volunteers putting on the classes, and they've been in existence for approximately seventeen years. The title of the club shows, basically, what the main philosophy is about this organization.

A small group of individuals who collect food from various groups, such as churches and ordinary folks; and, then dole it out to those who are in need on a weekly schedule--I believe Wednesday's.

A fantastic group of individuals who award grant money for community projects every year, with thousands of dollars collected and going back into the community. Most generous and hard-working individuals and all are worth their weight in gold.

A church can be a non-profit organization??? They already get government perks, so what gives?

A great group of thespians who put on plays throughout the year. Some fabulous productions over the years.

Since when is a government entity that collects taxes, water and sewer billing, etc., etc. a non-profit organization? This is a head shaker and maybe why there's not been a review.

This group of volunteers is a highly respected organization that is keeping the county alive with their research library, the historical house that's on their property, weekly article in the local newspaper, and other interesting gatherings throughout the year. The museum and office are open several days a week for research of items that have happened in the country of Josephine. And, a great group of volunteers keeps this society moving and offering assistance to any and all.

It's hard to belive that almost 4 years has gone by since I became involved with Canine Angels Service Teams. I can honestly say that my time with them has been the most rewarding of my life! I was going to say that I have made amazing friends, but they are so much more than that---they are FAMILY. As I said in my provious review, raising a puppy is an emotional roller coaster, but I am so excited and feel extremely privilidged to be able to raise my next puppy starting this summer. I thank God every day for bringing this amazing group of people into my life :-) If you have the opportunity to become involved, in any way, you will not regret your decision.

As a Board Member and a SAR volunteer, with eighteen years under their belt, I feel qualified to do this review for Friends of Josephine County Search and Rescue. I served in a similar capacity with our neighboring SAR cuunty--Rogue Valley SAR. Although not as active as RVSAR is, JoCoSAR does a similar job when activated, although a good number of our searches or missions are for assisting our neighboring counties of CORSAR--California-Oregon Search and Rescue. When we're called upon, we have volunteers who respond at any hour of the day or night, as we're supposed to be on-call 24/7. <br> Our SAR unit is prepared for snow incidents, as we have a Snow Team with a snowcat, snowmobiles, and ATVs with the ability to ride in the snow. Our dive deam is active and assists the Sheriff when called upon, as the Rogue River goes right through the middle of our county and unfortunately, there are several incidents a year that require assistance or recovery of bodies. Our Radio Team is above and beyond with specialty people in their knowledge and expertise. Our Mounted SAR Unit is a little weak at present because of age and/or dropouts, but those in it are very informed with the latest skills with their horses; and, hope to increase their numbers this year. We have an Overhead Team that is called out to assist other counties with their skills. The Rope Team is highly skilled in climbing and assisting, as well as doing recoveries. And, our Grouppounders are the root of all these teams, as that is our mainstay in our organization. Everyone is qualified as a Groundpounder with skills in land navigation, GPS, compass and map reading, being prepared to stay in the out-of-doors in incoment weather as well as good weather. They've been taught tracking and are skilled in this activity, as well. The ATV team is skilled in running the rough terrain of this county and/or other count roads and have assisted in locating subjects that are missing over the years. <br> All members purchase their own packs, boots, gear as needed and participate as much as they can. They work on road control incidents for the Sheriff, especially during fire season when roads need to be closed down. SAR members have worked for the Sheriff in doing evidence searches, as more eyes and knowledge are very helpful for combatting crime. <br> <br> <br> <br>

This incredibly busy county-wide library has 8+ FTE staff and perhaps 300 volunteers. Since the county ended funding, its circulation figures have increased, and, in my view, it's more fun. Volunteers at the checkout desk are cheerful, the maintenance staff (volunteers) enjoys the perks of chatting with visitors and getting lots of videos, books, movies, etc.; volunteers are planning parties, children's events, and on and on. It's really a great community center! Free library cards, And somehow it manages to have a decent budget for buying new items. It exists on grants and donations and used book sales. So lively. Such an asset to this little rural southwest Oregon county.

Clean Forest Project is a worth while volunteer project focusing on the clean up illegal dump sites in the Josephine, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath and surrounding counties for the aspect of sharing in nature the belief in giving back to nature what has been disrespected by illegal dumping, RESPECT. It is quite enjoyable to give back to nature by giving a little time and effort of oneself through the ties and bonds of members that believe as you do in conservation and respect of our public and private lands. <br> <br>At one of these such events, I realized the need for this worthy organization's growth to be funded by hard work ethics and contributions made by local community members surrounding these areas. Anderson Butte Clean Up Project entailed many CFP members coming together early one Saturday morning to share in cleaning up an illegal dump site in the mountains on the outskirts of Medford Oregon. I was amazed at the turn out of so many people that felt as I had my entire life about illegal dumping in our beautiful forest lands. Many came with trucks and used their own gas to take dump site materials to land fills and recycling places in the local area where they should of gone in the first place. It was amazing to see how little time it took for so many members to clean up such a large dump site as the one I had seen upon my arrival that morning. It is through the efforts of Clean Forest Project's staff that these events are organized to such a perfection. They deserve to be funded, respected and honored for their hard work and commitments to making a difference in the world we all share. <br> <br>