Santa Cruz Nonprofits and Charities

I have known Kidpower, as psychologist working with children and adults facing violence and abuse. It has been very helpful. Kidpower has the rare capacity to face the complex and violent reality we live in, without simplifying it, and at the same time, teach skills that are effective and playful to learn for different situations. But something special happened the last two years. Our family has grown; we have a new generation loved children. And wanting the best for them in this difficult world, the Christmas present we gave us, was a private Kidpower workshop for the whole family. Two online sessions, one for only adults and the second one with children, practicing the skills. It has been a great experience for us all. The relation with Irene Van der Zande and Gisella Gámez in organizing the workshop was so generous and respectful. And Ana, Vero and Gisella, who conducted the workshops managed to give us tools that are now part of our family language. Highly recommended!

YFIOB is an amazing organization that supports youth in our local community. I have participated in the career panels and it was a wonderful experience. The students were engaged in asking questions, and I felt like they learned a lot.

Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks is an outstanding nonprofit that plays a vital role in protecting and enhancing some of the most beautiful coastal and forest landscapes in California. Their work directly supports our local state parks through funding, stewardship, and community engagement, making a meaningful difference for both visitors and the environment. What stands out most is their commitment to ensuring our parks are thriving and available to all. Friends supports interpretive programs, events, and so much more. One of their most impactful programs is the Kids2Parks program, which provides transportation funding for kids in Title 1 schools. Whether you’re hiking, learning, or simply enjoying the coastline, you’re benefiting from the collaborative work of Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and California State Parks.

When I first met Winston, I couldn't believe anyone had mistreated this wonderful dog. He is so sweet, mellow, and gentle. He gets along with everyone. His favorite things are belly rubs and taking his meds with cheese. Thank you SC SPCA for taking him in and providing him with a wonderful place to stay until I could bring him home.

I have been involved with LHI since its' inception, and watched it grow in an amazingly organic and consistent way. From the small grass roots budget of providing scholarships for only ten students and witnessing the response to the needs of this remote village life, I am beyond inspired by the co-founder of this now much larger program with wrap around services. Witnessing how students have gone on to higher educations and returned to be a part of the staff, speaks of a true achievement of success! Now, in response to the need for smaller, safer classrooms for the children, I am so inspired that their vision has expanded once more. I am so proud to be a part of this organization and am continually inspired by the dedication of the staff and Katie Morrow, who had the vision, dedication and energy to increase LHI's capacity to provide the children of Chajul with an opportunity to succeed under such challenging circumstances as we find ourselves in today. My visits to Chajul have been humbling and inspiring, I have received such loving respect and offerings from those of such slight means which have enriched my life in an incredible way! I encourage visits to this remote village/town which is changing by the year in these times that we live in...you will not regret it!

Proud and happy to be a supporter of Romero Institute, given what they've accomplished and continue to implement highly impactful programs. Through Romero Institute I was able to connect with Lakota Law Project (Sacred Defense Fund) of which I became a member. They are a fantastic group of people that have been guiding the planet in the direction we all need to go for quite some time

Paddle4Good is a very well organized, safe and fun event for children with special need. There are many volunteers to help at the bank, and on the water. They also prepared games on the lawn during waiting time. My son enjoyed the paddle board and Kayak for the first time of his life. The ending ceremony for the kids was also very impressive, as every kid walked through a path blessed by all the volunteers. We really appreciate Paddle4Good providing such great opportunity for families like us.

Project Purr has helped so many cats and kittens here in Boulder Creek. They even helped a feral cat named Hobbs who had been living in these mountains for about 2 yrs and had recently hit by a car before he came to my care. His injuries to his hind leg were too severe to fix, so his leg was amputated. After the surgery and rehabilitation, Hobbs landed himself in an amazing home where he has another cat friend, Cali, a dog to play with and best of all....the most amazing loving patient human who now is the recipient of all of his love. THANK YOU Project Purr for all you do and for giving cats like Cali and Hobbs a chance!

Recently celebrated 50 years! Kind and honestly considerate staff. Strong recovery based philosophy. Has been continuing to advance in quality and professionalism, setting the bar for other programs. <br> <br>Truly invested in the well being of the whole person and families. Care more for people than just getting clients to complete a program. <br> <br>Started out as a volunteer and intern 15 years ago and have seen some amazing strides. Very grateful to be a part.

My name is Jonathan Gaitán aka Una Voz, I was blessed to know Julie before Roots & Routes existed with a name, before it was a foundation it was just her, with her own money for like 20 years working with the communities in Esmeraldas, fighting against Palm Oil Industry. <br>I am honored to be connected to her, as in my life I have met many foundations, and it seems most of them invest more money in their "employees" rather than the causes they supposedly are serving. But Roots and Routes are really for the people and they deserve all the support they could get. <br>I admire this woman and I'd follow her if the times needed it. <br>I hope they connect with those who can help them help others. <br>I appreciate it

Tuve la oportunidad de conocer a ConnectED durante un proceso de evaluación de los proyectos educativos que impulsan las y los fellows. Es impresionante el impacto positivo que se puede lograr cuando los recursos son bien utilizados y la comunidad educativa está organizada para el beneficio de sus estudiantes. ConnectED es una organización que contempla la pertinencia cultural y las condiciones materiales de las y los beneficiarios directos y de esta manera permite cubrir los vacíos que no se pueden llenar de forma estructural. Sin duda, ConnectED representa la posibilidad de aprender y desarrollarse de forma individual y colectiva.

Spirit in Action is one of the most effective and trustworthy non profits I have ever worked with in my 45 years of work in the non profit sector. I am the founder and director of a sister organization that has worked with Tanya Cothran and SIA for several years. The reason we choose to work alongside SIA is because of the ethics and effectiveness of the leadership and values of Tanya and her American/Canadian and African boards of directors. SIA considers, above all else, what programs do the people they serve most want and need and how can SIA work alongside most effectively? Equally, they consider the best use of donor funds. I am a personal donor to SIA. And in fact I will be leaving a portion of my personal estate to SIA when I move on to God's loving arms. I have utmost respect for SIA and shareholder programs. Karen Kotoske, Founder/Executive Director, Amistad International

My name is Moises Munoz Plascencia, while receiving my B.A. at University of California at Santa Cruz, CAN helped me gain the professional experience I needed to apply for graduate school. I attended weekly meetings and found that CAN is an organization with integrity and mission that I believe in. CAN generates relationships built on knowledge and camaraderie. I believe that there are many issues with the food system that cause suffering for many. I believe that CAN helps reduce that suffering through environmental education, participatory action research, and friendship. I experienced this first hand, when I went on an international Internship to the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. In the summer of 2009, in a small communal jungle town in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, I was sitting in a half destroyed Spanish colonial house speaking with an aged Mayan man. The sun scorching above, sweat rolling off the wrinkles of the man’s copper hued skin, he tells me about his milpa—a traditional farming plot—and how his milpa is suffering from a recent drought. He asked eagerly, “En su pueblo, ¿qué es lo que siembras?” (In your town, what do you sow?). Bewildered by the question, I reply, “Nada. No siembro nada en mi pueblo (Nothing. I don’t sow anything in my town).” At first it was a disconcerting statement, but later the question bothered me, and forced me to critically question the validity of urbanization and other methods of “progress.” Now in the last semester of my graduate program I have used me experience with the organization to help build a network in my home town, Santa Ana, CA. CAN has been an organization that has offered prolific academic and personal experiences, which have reverberated and helped guide the decisions I make today.

AFRRME is cutting back its programs due to financial mismanagement by the trustees. It is now run by four old white Southern men - no diversity see their website https://www.americanfrrme.org/about2. Their actions include: A female staff person resigned, her job description was changed slightly, then a man was hired to replace her at more than twice the salary, over the objection of all the women trustees. The travel budget was tripled, then three of the men (no women) took an all expenses paid trip for more than a week. When a woman trustee asked for accountability for the funds, she was voted off the board by the four men, with all three women trustees opposing this action.

Although I have lived in the Bay Area for many years and have been involved in a number of philanthropic organizations, I really had no idea that we have so much human trafficking hidden beneath the progressive positions and success of Silicon Valley. I was introduced to the work of Rising International by a friend who knows about my passion to help women achieve their dreams and my commitment to fight against social injustice. Learning about how Rising International is instrumental both in helping women who have been involved in human trafficking locally, as well as linking that mission with helping raise women out of poverty globally, deeply inspired me to support them. Their amazing effectiveness for high positive impact, at an impressively low overhead, gained my additional admiration. I am so glad and proud to contribute to an organization that is guided by authentic dedication to linking Bay Area women with third world women to help each to rise up from poverty- I encourage others to join in the Rising Internatinal mission, as donors or volunteers. <br>

I have served on the Board of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance since its inception. Beginning with the successful passage of the Big Sur Wilderness and Conservation Act of 2002, which added 50,000 acres of unprotected public wildlands to the Ventana and Silver Peak Wilderness Areas along California’s spectacular Big Sur Coast, the VWA has grown into the key organization that fights to keep the Ventana Region public wildlands wild. In addition, the VWA performs thousands of hours of public trail maintenance each year with both volunteers and professional crews; staffs Volunteer Wilderness Rangers in the Ventana backcountry to assist visitors and monitor human impacts; and guides disadvantaged area youth into the backcountry for their, often life changing, first wilderness experience.

I have known Dan Haifley for many years, and I know his commitment to OSO and it's mission is exemplary. His interests in supporting youth that may not have had any other opportunity to learn about the value of watershed impacts and ocean stewardship is a statement about his belief's in their future and that of the planet. It might just be one of these young people to save our oceans and humanity.

WE ARE A MENTAL IMPARED SCHOOL IN ARUSHA NORTHERN TANZANIA . WE ARE VERY THANKFUL TO BUILDING FOR GENERATIONS FOR HELPING US IN MANY WAYS TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF EDUCATION FOR THE CHILDRENS OF OUR SCHOOL FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS . BULIDING FOR GENERATIONS HAS HELPED US TO BUILD CLASS ROOMS AND HAS ALSO PLANNED AND FINANCED A PROGRAMME OF FUNDING FOOD FOR THESE UNFORTUNATE CHILDREN.

Mariposa's Art shares joy, inspiration and practical life skills with the youth in Watsonville. I can really see the positive powerful impact of Mariposa's Art when I teach the program. Last year at the beginning of the year I had a student who was very shy and would become easily frustrated with her art. She sometimes would not finish the project. We worked with her and offered her lots of encouragement and opportunities to connect with her peers in a positive way. By the end of the year she was laughing with her friends in class and showing off the art that she made, proud of her accomplishments. I really witnessed her relationship to her self expression transform.

Mariah Roberts has done a tremendous job with County Park Friends to raise public awareness, involvement, and support for our beautiful county parks, welcoming park-goers of all abilities!

I have known, loved, and supported YES! since its inception in 1990, and have attended an intergenerational YES! Jam. <br>I am especially, deeply moved by their capacity to bring young leaders in many fields together around the world, to provide safe and respectful spaces and protocols for healing old wounds, waking up to their true identities, and to find enhanced empowerment and support in going back to the communities in which they are working and leading. YES!, among others, is providing a neural net -- gently encircling our planet -- of young, awake leaders who are at home, stable, and co-creative in these challenging and inspiring times. Kudos to their commitment and devotion to being of great benefit. John Steiner/Boulder, CO

Volunteering with the Homeless Garden Project was a life changing experience. I feel blessed to have been involved.

Media Watch does vital work shining light on under-reported and under-represented issues. Keep up the great work!

The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County is a gem in our community. They have supported our work at The Diversity Center by providing volunteers, staff training, and an incredible Americorps volunteer.. They not only provide their own high quality programs, but they elevate the whole local nonprofit sector.

This organization has transformed schools by connecting teachers and students to garden-based learning that brings science literacy and awareness of the natural world to life.