Topanga Nonprofits and Charities

I'm a senior family medicine resident physician from the middle of the US (Nebraska). I've never been out of the country for medical service work before and so didn't know what to expect. I went down with a group of first-year medical students from my alma mater (University of NE Medical Center). I was SO impressed with the organization of Floating Doctors - how they balanced giving the medical students opportunities to be involved in patient care without jeopardizing patient safety. I was also impressed with the support/education that Floating Doctors gave to those of us without tropical medicine experience both before and during the clinic. I/we (my group) had a ton of fun and I was struck by both how grateful and gracious were the communities we served. Definitely plan on going back! Jon Wood, MD PGY-3, Family Medicine Lincoln, Nebraska

Mollie Hogan and her staff at Nature of Wildworks are my heroes. They lovingly provide lifelong care to over fifty animals in their sanctuary. As well as caring for the animals, their mission is to educate the community about the animals, conservation, and their part in all of it. <br>I first met Mollie Hogan when I invited her to bring her animals to do a presentation for my elementary school classroom. My students come from a disadvantaged area. Their experiences were limited mostly to what they saw on television. They excitedly made a personal connection with the animals, thrilled that each of them had a name. My students’ worlds became bigger, fuller. Other teachers recognized their value, and by the time I retired we had about twenty classrooms each year request programs. When I retired I chose to volunteer at Wildworks and again saw people’s lives enriched. <br>One of my favorite ways of supporting Nature of Wildworks is to be a month to month sponsor an animal. Actually two, a beautiful bobcat, and a little grey fox. This gives me a personal connection with the animals, and with Wildworks program and mission.

Sachi Rescue is a Amazing! They work unbelievably hard and love every single one of the animals that come in.

The Eagles of Foster Elementary School loves City Hearts and what they add to our school community. The parents are excited that their child is afforded the opportunity to experience activities such as dance, photography, Shakespeare, and so much more with the wonderful teaching artist. Foster's relationship with City Hearts has been long standing for many years as they support our school's belief of "Fostering Learning Through the Arts." We believe that all scholars should have access to the arts and with wonderful partners like City Hearts we are able to meet that goal. <br>Thank you City Hearts!

I learned about SHK from an article in a local newspaper in 2009 and immediately called them and offered to volunteer as a music educator. I showed up with my guitars and keyboards in tow at the first event which was Easter egg hunt/ Manners & Etiquette brunch not knowing what to expect . Groups of kids arrived in buses from local foster group homes and homeless shelters, they were mostly ages 13-17 and were shy and not too open to communicate but I was warned about it before the event and was encouraged to be proactive and talk to the kids and get to know them. The stories I heard were simply heartbreaking - one boy told me how scared he was of turning 18 in just a couple of months since he lived in foster homes his entire life and had no idea how would he survive in the world with none to help him and take care of him, he had no idea what he would do when foster care system will "release" him once he will turn 18. Another boy was adopted from a Russian orphanage as a small child but than his new American family didn't want him anymore after a couple of years and gave him over into a foster care system , after all the years he is agonizing over what did he do wrong for his adoptive parents to stop loving him , he was just completely lost and in so much pain... <br>The vent started with some refreshments and mingling , than lunched was served and several motivational speakers gave short, simple but very impactful presentations on basic life skills - perfect for teens, than we broke in groups by interests - some kids were lining up to try playing guitars and keyboards ( I brought one more teacher to help me ) , some kids were doing art projects, some were learning to use tools for handy work, some girls were getting a make over with a professional make up artist ! At the end there was a great band playing , everyone was dancing and singing . Every face was simply beaming at the end of the event! I volunteered at almost every Christmas and Easter event since than, SHK inspires kids and gives them hope in humanity after all the disappointments they had in their short lives , provides mentorship they need so much . I highly recommend this organization <br> <br>Sara Levy <br>www.magicmusic.com

An absolutely wonderful outdoor theater experience under the oak trees in Topanga Canyon, outside of Los Angeles! The quality of the Shakespeare and other classical presentations, and their commitment to helping students understand and experience plays and theater techniques through classes makes them one of the favorite field trips in Los Angeles. Their presentations touch the very deepest human emotions with sensitivity and skill.

This group not only helps provide sustainable projects for health and education in an underserved portion of Ghana, but also provides education for medical, nursing, dental and pharmacy students to gain experience on starting sustainable projects for local health and education.