Walnut Creek Nonprofits and Charities

I've lived with significant hearing loss in one ear for years, and like many people, I've been slow to take action on it. What finally opened my eyes was getting involved with HLAA Diablo Valley and the Bay Area Walk4Hearing. I volunteered at the event and walked alongside families, longtime members, and people just beginning their own hearing journeys. The sense of community was immediate — warm, welcoming, and free of judgment. Hearing loss runs in my family, and my brother has significantly benefited from wearing hearing aids. Experiencing HLAA's community firsthand helped me understand how important it is to stay connected and informed. HLAA doesn't just raise awareness — it empowers people. It shows you that you're not alone, and that taking the next step in your own hearing health is something to be proud of, not afraid of. I'm grateful for the encouragement, education, and sense of belonging HLAA provides. Being part of this organization has inspired me to take my own hearing

I've been following TGE for quite a few years now, and I'm impressed at how far they've come and how many people they've been able to reach! The sustainable aspect of their projects speaks to me the most. They're really making a difference.

“In service to those who have served, the Police & Fire Fallen Heroes Nonprofit Organization is dedicated to supporting families during their most difficult times, when they have suffered unimaginable loss. Having a loved one who has devoted their life to service is both a blessing and a a challenge, and I am deeply honored to serve on the board of such a compassionate and impactful organization.” -Nathan East

You are helping contribute to solving two of the biggest issues affecting humanity with one donation! Strongly recommended

Over the last 10+ years, I have been very fortunate and honored to be able to work with an amazing team of volunteers and JA staff members, as we plan for and then host the annual JA Golf Classics. There is a tremendous amount of time, work, and effort that goes into each year's tournament, and I feel proud that we produce an event that generates funding for JA and its programs, and to work with such incredible teams each time, keeps me coming back year after year.

NORSLED is a truly fantastic organization that focuses on the rescue of northern breed dogs. They work tirelessly to find homes for these amazing animals, who are often abandoned or turned over to shelters due to their challenging nature. NORSLED travels across California to rescue these dogs and ensure they go to the right home. They do their due diligence by conducting references and background checks, as well as home visits, to make sure owners are ready and able to take care of their new family member.<br><br>I have two rescues from NORSLED, and I couldn't recommend them more. They are a wonderful organization that is making a real difference in the lives of northern breed dogs.

I've been an Elder with Elder Wisdom Circle for a little more than 5 years. It give me a great sense of accomplishment to answer life questions for our advice seekers, as well as a sense of purpose. It's kind of like being a revered grandparent for hundreds of people across the world.<br><br>Questions range from simple "What should I do with my life?" to "Struggling with sexual identity" and anything in between. Many of the individuals I write to, also write back to let me know my advice was helpful or to ask for more advice. It's very fulfilling work, and I think it also provides a needed service. In this day and age not every young person has an elder they can ask anything to. EWC fills that void.<br><br>EWC works on a shoestring budget. The original founder stepped down a couple of years ago and we've been transitioning to being Board directed with an Executive Director. Most of our funds are donated by Elders and family members and it all goes directly to our mission. We'd love some corporate sponsors, especially since our platform needs an update badly. We're still working on that!

I can't remember the first time I went to the Gardens. Maybe a lecture in the Rotary Room, a reception in the Garden, or a respite from a hot swim meet, in the adjacent city park. The interesting thing about the Gardens is they just keep getting better and better. Now a butterfly garden is being created, other plants continue to mature. It is truly a gem in Walnut Creek!

Proud to be part of this organization and the fun culture. Always pushing to save more animals in foster homes and pair them with families and those who need them.

Please note that Dr. Abad has opened CECR to liability. This emotional reaction by Dr. Abad to the detriment of CECR is part of a pattern of behavior that is documented in Oakland Unified School District’s decision . Dr. Abad’s behavior has elicited complaints from stakeholders -- parents, teachers, and staff -- over the course of years and has been documented

I had great respect for ESC until the management changed and Pamela Higgins left Presidio Gate Apartments. I worked in the garden, helped with holiday decorations and with my partner, John Westfall, worked with our food sales. For three years I loved my life here. Then the new management came. I had been told in advance that the new manager had been involved in a federal lawsuit in Glendale, California, for removal of residents from a low income housing program. Fool that I am, I showed him a photo of himself very involved in the removal of residents. This individual called my primary care physician and told her that he would get me out of this beautiful residence any way he possibly could.. Because of his actions and actions of others at ESC, including the changing of all my Recertifications, showing I committed fraud by not revealing my assets to HUD, my life was and is, a living nightmare. New management inherited this mess but continued to harass me by filing with the courts. I have fought back the best I have been able to manage. I have brain damage. New management re- wrote 2 of my Recertifications and I was relieved that maybe the distorted community attitude toward me would change. Unnecessary audits continued and agencies where I once had friends despised me. I have become more and more angry due to the distorted image still remaining against me. I could not figure out why things did not get better once the fraudulent Recertifications were changed in 2015. Then in late June this year, I found out that this manager never filed the paperwork to prove that I had done nothing wrong. He paid me back some money by lowering my rent but never reported this to HUD. We need some type of arbitration. I want to live in peace but feel he needs to complete these overpayment charges using the 4 step HUD regulations required of him. Three years have passed and here we are at Recertification again. I have trouble with Recertification every year but this year medical complications caused me to not be able to find the information I need to complete my paperwork. I strongly feel that he needs to complete this 2015 paperwork correctly and turn it into HUD before I am required to complete this 2018 Recertification. I am facing eviction now and I still can not find all the paperwork I need. He has deadlines to meet and will not accept a 10 day continuance requested by my doctor. I was unable to walk and had spinal surgery in the Spring. I lost my brother, my niece and my former partner of 15 years this year. I had shingles and was robbed at the register of a food shop last week. My depression is off any scale; The real problem however, is that like millions of others I am caught in the Opiate epidemic. I took prescribed Opiates before, during and after surgery. I was given Suboxone to get off Hydrocodone. Then I needed help to get off the Suboxone. I am still withdrawing from Suboxone and to function I have to every so often go back for a lowered dose of this medication. I fluctuate between sleeping too much and not sleeping at all. Brain damage does not mix well with lack of sleep. It has been too long living without any guality of life. ESC caused the problem affecting my lfe. My anger and frustration have put me in the victim role which I deplore. There must be someone to mediate this situation for us. I have handled this mess poorly. I have gathered so much evidence that could hurt people. Not much action or inaction can humiliate me further. Covia inherited this but the manager and I have lived it. I have done the only things with my limited ability and resources that time has allowed. Do I just walk away or fight? I have not been offered an alternative. My complete lack of faith in Covia began when I discovered that the paperwork was never filed. I have much to offer. The manager needs peace and quiet. Please Covia, live up to the standards you have set for yourself, and I will do the same.<br>Thank you,<br>Bonnie Hahn<br>Presidio Gate Apartments<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

I joined Diablo Valley Assistance League after retiring from teaching. Their organization had contributed so much to our school community through Operation School Bell (school uniforms and shoes), READ (reading to second graders and donating two exceptional books each month), and backpacks filled with school supplies for those who otherwise couldn't afford them. So I HAD to give back, and quickly joined their ranks. I have now been a volunteer for about four years, and can testify that they are an extremely organized, well-run philanthropic organization that gives back to our community in so many ways! There are 400+ chapter members who volunteer tirelessly to enhance the lives of the citizens in the communities served by the chapter. Here are some of the programs besides Operation School Bell, READ, and the Receiving Center Backpacks for foster youth: <br>The Kids on the Block (educational puppet show for school children) <br>Scholarships for high school seniors <br>Food Boxes to low-income families <br>Senior Year sponsorships for foster youth <br>Baby Bags (for at-risk infants) <br>On My Way Kits (to assist foster youth in transition to independence) <br>Listen (one-on-one reading help with at-risk second graders) <br>Telecare (calling weekdays to talk with homebound seniors) <br>Elementary Arts Discovery (help teach about the visual arts) <br>Show on the Road (entertainment for seniors in assisted living facilities) <br>and much, much more!!! <br>

I am a donor and former board member of the California Symphony Orchestra. Fortunately, I have experienced the organization under the current leadership of Aubrey Bergauer (Executive Director) and Donata Cabrera (Music Director). Each season’s performances include amazing pieces. Being new to classical music, I was always well informed from the newcomer’s guide to the pre-concert talks. The California Symphony stands out by growing audiences and donors.

Wonderful Company! We've been watching what they do for over 10 years. Cheers to them!

I volunteer for and donate to Save Mount Diablo and get an insider's view into the beautiful unprotected areas in the entire Diablo Range through special land tours and hikes, and talks by park and wildlife experts. I work in SMD's office and see them collaborate with landowners, ranchers, the East Bay Park District, Mt. Diablo State Park, local open space agencies, and other regional land trusts and agencies to protect water, air, views, wildlife and the rest of our natural infrastructure. They continue to fight urban sprawl into the wilderness by promoting smart development, and getting children involved in nature so future generations understand how powerful nature can be in restoring the planet and enhancing quality of life. <br> <br>I am also a volunteer steward for one of their very small properties in Clayton and am very impressed by the work that that other volunteers like the Trail Dogs and the DIRT team do on a weekly basis to restore trails and native wildlife on the mountain. The volunteers help to make Save Mount Diablo a very efficient and effective organization. SMD is small, smart, well organized, dedicated and fun and a great investment for your time and money. A good way to get involved is to come to Moonlight on the Mountain in September, or sign up for a family hike or a talk with Ted, the executive director. You will not regret it!

Cris was referred to us as someone who could help us but instead underhandedly took are pups away from us creating malicious stories about us to defend her actions. I pray are pups find good homes but I would not recommend Cris to anyone.

The Walnut Creek Education Foundation is an essential part of my children's education!

Neighsavers is a fantastic rescue. Thank God for them. How many horses would have fallen off the map and into desperate situations haD it not been for the networking skills and contacts. God bless the many hands that care for the horses, who nurse them back to health. God bless the donors that keep the operation going.

I visited the Volunteer Center over 5 years ago, after finding out about their "Know How" network, designed to connect over-55 skilled volunteers with volunteer opportunities. After a few conversations, I was asked to join the center's Board of Directors. What a gift...I have been on the Board since then and continue to be amazed at work done in support of volunteers and local agencies.

The people at Meals on Wheels and Senior Outreach Services really care about helping clients. They are dedicated, compassionate, and helpful.

Extremely internal and politically run organization to the detriment of the kids and teachers who are a part of the organization. Poorly and arrogantly run by a group of people, many who are really very mediocre and just in the organization for power. A lot of the stuff that goes on is a power-play. An always seemingly ever similar group of people seem to control and run a lot of the programs and events, and often their incompetence is coupled with bully power. <br> <br>If you can ignore this element, there may be some programs that could benefit your students, or your children who study with MTAC teachers, but overall, it is an arrogant institution. It also runs a giant program called Certificate of Merit which stresses written theory over actual playing of the instrument, largely because the program is a money-maker for them. Many of my kids were burnt out from the program and quit music afterwards.

This group really knows how to make an impact and takes a really strong and well placed position. It should all be for the children.

The California Historical Artillery Society (CHAS) www.warhorse.org rescues Standardbred horses from the race track. These horses are then taught to be ridden, pull numerous types of "rolling stock" including an ambulance and a 6-Up horse drawn cannon. CHAS has taught thousands of school children about an important part in history that many people have never known about. CHAS will be represented in the upcoming 150TH Anniversary of Gettysburg in July 2013 and the 2013 Rose Parade. CHAS is open to all with kids, teens, young adults to Grandparents involved with males and females in all positions. Come on out and support a wonderful group!

When I retired in 2010 I spent some time thinking about the next phase of my life. I have been very blessed and I really wanted to give back. I started looking for a volunteer organization that could utilize my skills and would help me help others. The Know How Network was my link to the needs of the community. Since this is a project based organization I can assist many non-profits and still have flexibility - the best of both worlds. I highly recommend this organization.

This is a small volunteer run organization that supports the Civic Arts Education program of the City of Walnut Creek. The program serves the Central Contra Costa County region and over 8,000 preschooler through senior adults annually with classes, workshops, trainings, concerts, performances, art sales and programs in art, music, dance and drama. It has two campus locations and 18 fully equipped studio classrooms. <br> <br>MISSION STATEMENT <br> <br>Friends of Civic Arts Education Foundation, an independent, non-profit 501(c)3 organization, advocates and funds community Art Learning experiences for people of all ages. The Foundation ensures financial support for scholarships, quality programming and facilities for all arts disciplines. <br> <br>VISION STATEMENT <br> <br>The Friends Of Civic Arts Education Foundation strongly believes that Art Learning is essential to human development and a community’s quality of life. Through public and private partnerships, we are committed to creating an environment that promotes a diversity of culture, thought and artistic expression. <br>