La Mesa Nonprofits and Charities

I have worked as a volunteer and board member for 14 years. It has been a most rewarding experience to witness the love, compassion and dedication other volunteers and board members have shown to the most under-served and needy of military families stationed in San Diego. These families, junior enlisted, E5 and below, are shocked when they arrive in San Diego. A beautiful city, however, one of the most expensive cities to live in with inadequate pay and allowances. Nearly 11,000 junior enlisted families in San Diego live at or below the poverty line. Military Outreach Mission - San Diego (MOM-SD), had more than 14,000 family contacts in 2025 and served more than 27,000 children with canned and fresh food, diapers, wipes, baby items, baby and children's clothing, household items, emergency gas cards and extra food. It served with baby showers, thanksgiving meals, Christmas stores and more. All this with minimal staff and many volunteers

I would like to give a shout out to the Challenge Center and the excellent care I received while enrolled in “The Fall Prevention,” class that I attended this year. I was given hands on training on how not only to prevent falls by making my house safer, but what to do in the event of a fall. We practiced balance and falling in a way to try to prevent broken bones.

Went to look at Shepherd Rescue and met Ranger. The Owner Donna & Staff were very friendly, committed and hard working. They were also attentive to the dogs, which all appeared well cared. On property during feedings, which were generous equal portions. I would surmise that owning/managing a canine rescue/kennel is difficult & challenging yet simultaneously rewarding. Kudos to all employees for keeping Hope ALivE!!

I wish that somebody would look into my Bro. Inlaws records. 17 yrs. Old,helped a homeless woman and her 3yr. Old He was encouraged to waive his right to a jury.Trouble all through the transcripts. Basically convicted because child fell and hit head on slide the year of child abuse awareness. Court transcripts showed abuse of this child 6 mos. Before Jeff rescued them from the streets HE was made an example of. He was only caring for her for TWO WEEKS, while mother got a job !This was 1979. He is STILL in Chula Vista Prison, and nobody has ever looked into this.He is 59 and now has Lupus ! She passed out in the bathtub when he went to get a soda.He called 911 and gave her CPR. Morning LA news called him a hero, then they came and arrested him !PLEASE, somebody look into this .His name is Jeff Page.

We have been financially supporting Global Care Alliance (previously named Frances Kitchen) for 12 years because of the amazing work it carries out. It works with the nationals in both Mexico & Burundi to improve their lives. I was personally involved early in work in Mexico constructing a kitchen that was used to feed migrant workers' children. Since then GCA has constructed and funded a much needed medical clinic and community center.<br>In Burundi, one of the poorest countries in the world, GCA has brought hope to the Batwa people of Gahararo by helping them build homes, a water system to bring fresh water to their village, and healthy meals to alleviate child starvation and provided uniforms which enabled them attend school.<br>Charles & Joanene Falk, La Mesa, CA

Since 1986 we have prided ourselves in offering various passenger train excursions including the GOLDEN STATE LIMITED. This 45 minute, 8-mile round-trip get-away operates on weekends and by special reservation taking our visitors back-in-time traveling the historical route of the San Diego & Arizona Railway. We offer the VALLEY FLYER Caboose Ride, which is a 30-minute round-trip shuttle service connecting the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum’s Display Building and the Campo Depot with the Mountain Empire Historical Society’s Gaskill Brothers Stone Store Museum. Throughout the year we organize holiday themed excursions such as the Halloween Express, North Pole Limited and the Bunny Train. Bring a picnic lunch and spend the day! Fun for the entire family young and old.

We adopted our first greyhound from the Greyhound Adoption Center (GAC) in 2012, and have been volunteering with them ever since. GAC takes in dogs with injuries as well as those who are healthy, and takes good care of them until they find loving homes. We now have four greyhounds in our family, three of whom had broken legs (one of whom lost his leg due to a racing injury), and the last one who had been super-shy and has since come out of his shell. We're so grateful to GAC and all of the work they do! They have taken in and placed over 6000 dogs since they started in 1987; we're glad to be able to help as we can.

Public Watchdogs is dedicated to telling the public the hidden truth about the deadly nuclear waste at San Onofre (see video). Public Watchdogs has its eye on the ball and its ear to the ground sniffing out fraud and unlawful corruption at the agencies that regulate utilities in California. Public Watchdogs is incorporated as a tax-deductible non-profit in the State of California and is dedicated to the premise that "The Public has a right to know" how its money is being spent.

Losing a Kind Soul, Gaining a Cause to Help Others<br><br>While I have always held Mental Health Advocacy near and dear to my heart, I found a new resolve and commitment to help bring awareness to mental illness when a coworker and kind soul sadly succumbed to his depression and committed suicide.<br> I had to good fortune to work with this kind soul on social media outreach for Mental Health. Kurt was an educator of mental wellness and care, dedicated to helping others which simply highlights the nuances and struggle of those dealing with these issues. While a person can seem outwardly happy and centered, inside they may be dealing with an intense array of emotions. MHASD is an incredible organization dedicated to advocacy, education, and ending the stigma associated with mental illness and by giving my time to them I am able to continue Kurt's work to aid those struggling. <br>Since Kurt's passing, I have found myself even more motivated to provide outreach and awareness to the community regarding Mental Illness. Mental Health America provides a number of services and programs that help people in the community who are struggling with a mental illness as well as aiding those who know someone with a mental illness. This struggle is real and affects so many, so I will continue Kurt's work and mission to provide education and advocacy for Mental Health.<br><br>http://www.mhasd.org<br>

RE Spectrum is an amazing resource for the community. I have the opportunity to work with many non-profits and RE Spectrum is doing fantastic work. They fill the gaps for so many people that may otherwise not receive the needed and necessary benefits that will improve their quality of life and decrease the impact of their disabilities throughout a lifetime. 5 Stars all the way!!

Had a great experience with this organization. They were very good with answering my questions and gave me all the facts about where the donation was going. They seem to really know what they're doing in their space and their passion for the work is rare. I would definitely donate again.