Ona Nonprofits and Charities

Healthier Wealthier Wiser (HWW) Inc is a 5013c Florida non profit. HWW conducts free lunch and learn events in the community. The events consists of presentations to promote the physical and mental heath of the Volusia County community. The Executive Director is so passionate about helping her community that she pays out of her pocket for the lunch and learns. HWW leadership and board members are all volunteers.

Angel and Shawn are amazing. The work they are doing to help rescue animals everyday is outstanding.

The Dog Liberator is probably the greatest rescue group on the planet! They care for their dogs and prepare them so beautifully for their forever homes. They’re professional. They’re loving. They know the best ways to care for the pups. I can’t say enough great things about them. I adopted the most wonderful dog in the world through TDL and recommend them to everyone. You’ll love them too!!

I have been involved with this organization since 2015. As the son of a Veteran, I realize the struggles that families go through after transitioning to civilian life. The WWUA allows veterans to have a renewed sense of purpose, to put a uniform on again, and to stay connected with their communities through umpiring. Through peer-to-peer counseling, the WWUA connects students who have similar experiences for lifelong friendships and support. It truly saves lives. This is the only organization I donate my time and money to.

Being a volunteer with this non profit has given me not just experience with many different animals, but also a chance to connect with each individual resident and come to love them all! Amazing work gets done here by a team of devoted humans who love these animals more than themselves. I have a great time every day I'm at the rescue and encourage everyone to give them a visit!

First I'd like to address the fact that at any humane society I have ever gone to the staff is always annoyed. I have concerns that the staff is not being treated well by the organization. Secondly, I'd like to address the elephant in the room...why are they not truthful about the disposition of the animal being adopted out? They'll be like snowflake is the best cat her owner died she plays well with kids and can meow the entire Bible....meanwhile snowflake is the devil hates people especially kids enjoys destroying you home and shits and pees everywhere...why not be honest and be like this cat was surrendered by 7 people and has issues but needs a home? This way people can prepare and try to get them retrained make them outdoor cats etc...and please don't come at me with the save the animals tree hugger comments. They deserve a home and to be loved but we deserve clean homes and honesty

For 12 years I have been a volunteer for Sixteen Hands Horse Sanctuary in one capacity or another. This sanctuary provides a haven for abandoned, abused, neglected horses and trains volunteers to use natural horsemanship with these physically and emotionally needy creatures so that they can have safe and healthy lives in herds as well as become happy companions to humans. SHHS goes beyond this to training people to be the leaders horses need and enjoy, again using natural horsemanship through partnerships with other professionals. I have seen the sanctuary from its earliest days grow into the organization it is, one which attracts great volunteers who find the work challenging, satisfying, and character building, all the while loving and caring for horses no one wanted or cared for. This is an amazing horse sanctuary!

What a great group that does such great good for our community! Kris and Lauren are fantastic people who share their passion for helping foster kids with others. We were blessed to be able to help contribute a little bit to their cause and we will continue to do so in the future.

I was diagnosed with TNBC last year and my experience has been horrible. I got to a point where I had to search for assistance because I was left to fend for myself after 2 surgeries and 25 rounds of intense radiation. I thought the agencies I applied to for help forgot me in many cases too. <br><br>I lost my house and car in this time and have been homeless since March 1st. It's been a serious struggle not even being able to get to work or know where we're going to lay our heads day to day. My mail has been getting all shuffled around and I received this thoughtful gift last month but just got possession of it today. It was comforting to see the blanket and the gift card that is a life saver in our current circumstance. So thank you for not forgetting about me. That really put a smile on my face. Bless you all.

They work together very well together as a team to get the needs of people with different disabilities. They do their best to reach person on their level. They are very compassionate and trustworthy

Great mentorship for the youth. Truly a class act organization from community service to education and sports. Keep up the great work!

Tortugas Care Charity Foundation was official established on September 26, 2016. <br><br>The mission of the Tortugas Care Charity Foundation is to enrich the lives of youth in our community through recreational opportunities, as well as to contribute to enhancing the efforts of sea turtle conservation efforts. In addition to implementing our own community programs to accomplish our mission, the Tortugas Care Charity Foundation will partner with other local non-profits that share the same objectives. <br><br>The Daytona Tortugas recognize the importance of giving youth in our community the opportunity, through sports, to improve their lives and to build fellowship with their peers. Providing experiences and life lessons along the way, we hope to leave a profoundly positive impact on our community.

Highly recommend this rescue. Susanna, her husband Phil, and her team put everything they have into ensuring that tossed away horses have a safe, happy, Secure, and healthy life after they end up there. I’ve had many direct interactions and seen the farm first hand. Absolute top notch!!

The amount of loved poured out to those in need by everyone who volunteers at Daytona Outreach Center on North St is beyond compare. Pastors Ray, Susan, and Sairah try there best everyday to lift those in need up whether it is prayers, help with getting into a program to end addiction, getting into a shelter or just being made to feel that even the poor and broken are loved. All of the volunteers try to uplift those who are down. Truly a blessing for all.

TOTAL, Inc. is an organization that not only provides you excellent, professional service, but grooms our youth in the process. I was practically duped by another company and TOTAL, Inc. saved the day. This organization provides website, marketing, and technical support by using skilled students, while also providing them with opportunities to further their competency sets. It is a win for EVERYONE! I highly recommend the use and support of this org. You will not regret doing so!

Not only this organization helped Puerto Rico after hurricane Maria, but they are still working for the Island three years after. They are distributing food tirelessly during this Covid 19 pandemic. I take my hat off to the great work of this organization. GREAT JOB!

Girls who attended Tech Trek returned excited about learning and seeing new possibilities for careers in science. STEM program are so important for girls at this age and this program really delivers.

I too volunteer with my church, Riverview United Methodist Church and the Ormond by the Sea Lions Club one day per month to help feed the hungry. Not all of these people are homeless, but many just do not have enough food to last them all month, especially the ones with young children. This helps them stretch their food dollars and make it through the month without going hungry or going without nutritious food. On an average day there are 20 to 25 volunteers that come in at 9 am to help prepare a meal, serve and cleanup. We feed between 180 and 300 people per day, 7 days a week, 363 days a year. As I said, these are all volunteers. We are not paid one penny. Most of the people are very grateful and express that to us. They are happy to come and made to feel very welcome. There are, now and then the one or two that complain, but they are few. I was so shocked to see a bad review on here, but I guess this person felt the need. I do hope they will look into their heart and realize that without places like this there would be no help. The kindness of people are what keep it going. Unfortunately not everything is free, especially when it comes to housing. There are so many expenses to pay and in being fair and trying to help as many as possible when someone gets employed they are expected to contribute, even if it is a small sum. HUM is an awesome organization and I am thankful that I am a part of it.

On April 1, 2019 I was offered a job with the Conklin Center subject to a formal background check and checking with some of my former work supervisors. This offer of employment was made during a second interview for the position of Supported Employment Specialist. I’d been pursuing this position with the Conklin Center for several months. <br> <br>When this offer of employment was made I was very pleased. I was convinced that the Conklin Center was an honorable organization that did very worthwhile work. I considered this a good faith offer of employment. <br> <br>When I heard back four days later that the job offer was rescinded, I was devastated. I was also in shock. I asked if I had received a negative report from a former supervisor. To her credit, the woman who called me with the bad news assured me that I had NOT received any negative reports. <br> <br>I don’t believe that a formal background check had been conducted because my interviewer indicated that would require my fingerprints being taken which never happened. Besides, there is NO REASON why I would not pass a background check. <br> <br>I couldn’t understand why the employment offer had been rescinded if I had not received any negative reports so I asked why. I was told that I was not getting the job because of my “storytelling”? <br> <br>I was stunned then, and I am still puzzled. If the interviewers did not like my storytelling, then why had the offer been made? Isn’t this something that should have been determined during my two interviews? And, by the way, what is a job interview if not storytelling? Something just doesn’t smell right. <br> <br>It occurs to me that “storytelling” might be code for “We decided that you’re too old.” As a person pushing 60 years of age, I have encountered this kind of age discrimination before. <br> <br>By the way, no one from the Conklin Center even bothered to contact any of my references or former work supervisors. I know because I made contact with them myself and asked. None of them had been contacted. In other words, Conklin Center representatives interviewed me twice, offered me a position dependent on two conditions and then changed their minds without even bothering to look in to either of those conditions. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that something unsavory is going on. <br> <br>I understand that this is “at will” employment and that the Conklin Center has the legal right to rescind their employment offer. Furthermore, age discrimination is very hard to prove. I’m not writing about what is legally allowed. My concern is what is ethically correct. <br> <br>Once an offer of employment is made subject to two conditions, the only way the offer can ethically be rescinded is due to one of those conditions. That is definitely not the case here. If my interviewers had second thoughts about me after they crossed the threshold of an offer, they owed it to me to call me back in and discussed their misgivings with me. I deserved that consideration. <br> <br>I know that the Conklin Center does good work. That is the main reason why I wanted to be part of the team. However, it is not enough for an organization to do good work. It also matters how an organizations treats people. This is as true of organizations as it is of individuals. <br> <br>If you don’t think that I was mistreated by the Conklin Center, consider this: How would you feel about a potential employer who offered employment to one of the Conklin Center clients and then took it back for a sketchy reason without ever giving them a chance? <br> <br>I sincerely hope that no Conklin Center client ever gets treated as shamelessly as the Conklin Center treated me. <br> <br>Considering how I was treated by the leadership of the Conklin Center, I wonder what other horror stories one would uncover if they scratched beneath the surface. <br>

They helped me put together my resume in a professional manner, which untilmatey landed me the career I wanted. Katheryn Meagher is a joy to work with to help better my continuing endeavors.

When I was in need of a loaner chair for Lego, this organization had a chair sent out to me in no time!!! I can’t thank them enough.

Whether you are in need of assistance, or seeking a way to contribute to the community, the Council on Aging of Volusia County is a non-profit organization that provides a broad scope of services to Volusia County's senior population. From social and recreational activities at Senior Centers located throughout the county, to Meals on Wheels, and a variety of in-home care services, COA of Volusia County supports the area's rapidly growing senior population. Acknowledging that many of the area's senior citizens receive care directly from family members, COA also offers respite services to caregivers that provide them the opportunity to take a break, rest and recharge. COA of Volusia County is a valuable asset to the community and deserves your support. Financial contributions and donations of volunteers' time are critical to the organization's ability to be there for Volusia County's seniors. My parents, lifelong residents of Daytona Beach, delivered Meals on Wheels for over twenty years. It was their belief that this service provided for both the nutritional and social needs of those being served who regularly received a prepared meal and a chance to chat. We are fortunate that the Council on Aging of Volusia County, its professional staff and volunteers, has been a reliable, responsive resource to our community since 1967. Jeff Ranew

When I was young, all I wanted to do was become a nurse and help others. In my teen years I was introduced to alcohol and found that I was easily accepted into the popular group. I thought it was no big deal. As a few years went by, my experimentation became a habit. I moved on to stronger more powerful highs. The "in crowd" was now gone and I had surpassed their tolerance levels. As the years went by my addiction grew stronger and I was a prisoner of my own addiction. At the age of 24, I was sleeping on whoever's bed I could find, sometimes the street. I wanted to end everything. I was so such a broken soul and thought there was no way out. I met a woman who told me to call a place called Avenues 12. I spoke to Kay Hayes, she was understanding and talked to me for at least an hour. She told me her story and it was much like mine. She asked what I was willing to do to save my life and start a new one. She helped me find a bed in a detox and I reluctantly went. Kay said she would hold a bed for me in a safe and loving place after I completed detox. I was scared and had no idea what would happen to me. After detox, she kept her promise. I had no money and the only thing I owned was a pair of shoes and the clothes on my back. <br>As soon a I got there everyone greeted me and said welcome home! From that day forth I started to believe that there were good people who really cared about me. They will do whatever it takes to help you move forward, one day at a time, as long as I do the work. The staff always took the time to listen and guide me. They got me clothes, fed me, started to show me that I was somebody again. My life got better everyday. I got a job, began making close friends and had a new family. I can never say enough about these women and what they teach. I am back in school for nursing 2 years later. I no longer live there, but I will always leave my heart with them. As an alumni, I go back to help the new women coming in. You are never alone! Forever grateful !

I had waited a lifetime to find answers to my dyslexia and how to work with it. <br>Ms. Baker gently guided me through a course of Microsoft Office and continues to do so.<br>In the process of learning the elements of that program. I literally learned how to push away my fears that had previously held me hostage to formal learning, either by instruction or a classroom setting. <br>The home assignments I am given always center around topics and subject areas that I am interested in. This motivates me between the instruction session to think about my assignments and persevere. Office is a wonderful tool for a dyslexic to use. Ms. Baker adapted the Program for my particular shortcomings and has given me a confidence in the written word I previously lacked. Thank you, Ms. Baker of Adaptive Technology Solutions. AE, Ormond, Beach, Fl.

Halifax Rowing Association (HRA) has done such an excellent job at achieving their goal of bringing the sport of rowing to our area. HRA offers rowing programs for adults, teens and adaptive rowers. They offer learn to row events throughout the summer to promote rowing and to attract new rowers. I attended their National Learn to Row day in June and I felt so warmly welcomed. I was able to get onto the water in an eight, which was so exciting. I understand now how the sport can be so addicting...the boats are powerful and the work-out is great. The HRA team seemed well organized and their boat house was well stocked. Cudos!