My Nonprofit Reviews
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Review for Nevada Youth Empowerment Project, Reno, NV, USA
the Nevada Youth Empowerment Project's mission appears to help young women who do not know each other and do not have a normal home life to learn how to deal with life starting from the basics and hopefully learning how to succeed. they live in a home with structure and are taught how to organize their life. those that chose not to follow the structure leave. those that stay, learn all the basics from cooking, cleaning, getting along with each other, volunteering at local charities, looking for employment, working, continuing their education and some may even graduate from college. Hopefully in two years or less they leave the home and start enjoying living their life.
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If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Figure out a way for the charity to obtain more grants and donations. in the past, the charity existed on limited funds.
Was your donation impactful?
Likely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Likely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
Review for Tahoe Youth And Family Services, S Lake Tahoe, CA, USA
I am a new donor and do not have a lot of experience or a lot of specific understanding of the organization. i know that they started in the 70's in the Lake Tahoe California area and now they also have an office and out reach center in Gardnerville, Nevada where i live. Their main work is to help kids and families. Since i do not have a lot of experience i will not be very specific. i like the organization because it helps kids and famlies who have problems. The world we live in today with drugs and alcohol seemingly available one way or another to kids and in families creates many problems which lead to many personal problems in families and their children. Life is hard enough without these problems. The outreach center in Gardnerville, Nevada is where kids can to to enjoy themselves after school, do some homework and discuss their problems if they feel like it. The charity also has mentoring programs at Lake Tahoe and in Alpine County. In this day and age, i would think that mentoring couild be very important help for children with problems.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
discussing the various programs they are have for the kids and families.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
institute a long range fund raising program for individual donors. After all, we all will live better lives if the children and families in our communities get the help they need. Unfortunatly, most charities get most of their funds from public and private organizations. Most grants come for specific projects and the funds are restricted. It would appear to be a roller coaster way of life. Individual donations could help support programs not covered by grants.
Review for Douglas Animal Welfare Group, Gardnerville, NV, USA
DAWG started in 2000 and and in 2002 it incorporated as a 501-c-3 charity. I joined in the fall of 2004 or 2005, i cant remember, and there were about 25 members with very little money. since then they have over 100 members and are no longer almost broke. There main function is to volunteer at the Douglas County Nevada, animal shelter. DAWG (Douglas Animal Welfare Group) and its volunteeers do the following:
1. There are about 100+ volunteer/members. 35 do most of the volunteering and the rest are supporting members who can volunteer anytime they wish. Some of them go to the shelter and walk the dogs and pet the cats on a daily scheduled basis, 365 days a year. They try to teach them a few tricks, find out something about the animal for adoption purposes, and give them some affection so they don’t go stir crazy in the kennel. They play a little ball with the animals weather permitting. They clean the cat cages, check the animals for medical problems, and discuss any problems with the shelter employees.
2. When the kennels fill up, or a dog has a bad injury some of the members take the dogs home until the kennels empty out and or the animal gets better. They act as foster parents.
3. The main goal of the group is try to get the animals adopted. If they can get them adopted that will help reinforce the no-kill shelter approach. (If there was no DAWG the county would probably have to kill the animals if they can’t adopt them.) They hold special adoption events throughout the year. They take pictures of the new dogs and cats and advertise them on the Internet, and sometimes in the newspaper and television.
4. When the shelter is full, they may pay for spay or neuter of animals since the shelter has no spay or neuter funds. This helps increase the adoptions since the adopter normally pays the cost.
5. They have fund raising events. The money they raise is used to pay for expenses the county will not pay for. The county normally will pay for emergency medical expenses, or for injuries in the shelter. If an incoming animal is hurt or injured DAWG may pay for medical check ups, lab costs and other costs to make the animal adoptable.
6. DAWG uses its money to pay for printing, postage, and miscellaneous expenses to the vets that are necessary to help adopt the animals.
7. Sometimes an animal needs a special operation. If possible, DAWG will pay for that or try to raise the funds for the operation.
8. DAWG has to pay for advertising in the newspaper for fund raising events, adoption events, and special problems such as overflowing kennels.
9. They sometimes drive the animals to the vets, groomers, or other appointments.
10. DAWG sometimes pays for canned dog food for animals that will not eat the dry or kittens that need the canned food instead of the dry. Sometimes DAWG asks the community to donate cans of dog and cat food. Dry dog food is free as donation from the Pedigree dog food company.
11. DAWG may pay the expenses for some piece of equipment or training for a person who has adopted an animal and is having a problem with their animal, in order for the person to be happy with their animal rather than returning it to the shelter.
12. DAWG may pay boarding expenses or the expenses involved with people who have a foster home for a dog who is injured or when the kennel is overflowing.
13.DAWG educates people about responsible pet ownership. At some of the events they have speakers about training, animal behavior, emergency preparedness for pets, printed materials about pets, and microchip clinics.
14. DAWG and Douglas County split the cost of major kennel improvements in 2007 which resulted in the demolition of all the concrete kennels and installation of modular kennels. This was possible because of a donation from an individual who was in favor of spending the money upgrading the shelter kennels.
15. DAWG microchips all the dogs that enter the shelter that are not microchipped.
Honors and Awards
Nevada Appeal picked DAWG as the organization of the year in 2005. This honor was recognized with letters from the Governor Guinn, Senator Ensign, and Assembly Minority Leader Hettrick. See the website for the letters.
The Chamber of Commerce picked DAWG as the service club of the year in 2006.
Douglas County Historical Society honored Cherie Owen, Founder and President of DAWG in 2006 as a Woman of Honor for her historical contribution to improving the quality of life in Douglas County for founding DAWG.
The American Red Cross honored Cherie Owen in 2007 as an Animal Real Hero, for her work in rescuing animals for the last 33 years.
In 2007 Cherie was awarded a “Daily Point of Light”, by the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network, in Washington D.C. for her 33 years of volunteer work rescuing animals. She received a certificate from the foundation, congratulatory letters from both President Bushes and Senator Reid acknowledged the award.
In 2007 Nevada Assemblyman, James Stettlemeyer, awarded DAWG a Proclamation for DAWG’s work and Cherie’s Real Hero award. She also received a Certificate of Special Recognition from Governor Gibbons, which read “In honor of your selfless commitment to ensuring the safety and well being of all animals in Douglas County. You are a true Real Hero”.
In 2007, U.S. Congressman, Dean Heller, awarded Cherie Owen, a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition. It said “ Thank you for your hard work and dedication as a volunteer. Your Service to the Community and love for animals is greatly appreciated.”
In 2008, Cherie Owen was a finalist at the Nevada Appeal Community Awards in the “Volunteer of the Year” category. She received a recognition certificate from U.S. Senator Harry Reid, John Ensign and Governor Gibbons.
In 2008, Laura Winking, President of DAWG, was honored nationally by the Points of Light Institute, in Washington D.C. as a “Daily Point of Light”, for her seven years of volunteering for the animals at the Douglas County Nevada Animal Shelter. She will receive letters of congratulation from both President Bushes. Governor Jim Gibbons and Congressman Dean Heller acknowledged Laura’s award with certificates of recognition. U.S Senator Reid sent Laura a letter acknowledging her award.
In 2009, Cherie Owen, president and founder, received the “Jefferson Award” from television channel 4 and Wells Fargo bank.
In 2009, Laura Winking, past president was nominated in the Red Cross in the Animal Rescue category for the “Real Hero’s” breakfast. She received a certificate and recognition certificates from Governor Gibbons and Senator Reed.
In 2009, Grace Bower, member-volunteer, was honored by the Douglas County Historical Society, at the "Women in History" awards on Saturday, March 28th2009, for Grace’s historical contribution to improving the quality of life in Douglas County, Nevada. She received a certificate and recognition certificates from Governor Gibbons and Senator Reed.
In 2009, “Active Volunteers in Douglas, AVID, selected Trish Vandersluis, who was Vice-President, as Volunteer of the Month.
In 2010, Tina Murphy, who was Vice-President was selected as Volunteer of the Month by “Active Volunteers in Douglas, AVID.
The most difficult problem that DAWG has is getting enough volunteers because volunteering is not mandatory for the members. We have supporting members and volunteer members and no one is reqired to volunteer.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
i have watched the charity grow for six years into a self sustaining group with the help of all the donors in the carson valley, nevada area.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
i would institute a continual membership drive.
