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  • AVIVA FAMILY & CHILDREN’S SERVICES (HAMBURGER HOME)

    Mission: Aviva believes every child and every family in our Los Angeles community deserves the chance for a brighter future. We provide compassionate support, therapeutic services, and guidance to at-risk children and families.

    Contact: Regina Bette

    How to volunteer:

    Volunteers can either work directly by supporting the families and youth that are involved in the program, or they can assist in planning events and donating through the amazon wishlist. Since the charity is considered essential, the staff and volunteers might still be there.For event planning, I’m assuming that the staff is collaborating online and through Zoom or some other video service, and you can still fill out a volunteer application to do that.

    CHRYSALIS

    Mission Statement: Chrysalis is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a pathway to self-sufficiency for homeless and low-income individuals by providing the resources and support needed to find and retain employment.

    New Program/ Product: The COVID-19 Relief fund was created in May to continue to support homeless and low income individuals on their path to employment. The website states that the fund will support clients in these ways:

    • Ongoing one-on-one job search support via email, phone, and text for nearly 800 clients per week.
    • Virtual job-readiness class facilitation, resume writing, practice interview, and online job application services for over 70 clients each week.
    • Electronic or mailed gift cards of $50 or $100 for nearly 150 clients.
    • Funds added to 300 cards for local transportation systems in places where our clients live in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
    • $25 gas cards supplied to 300 clients.
    • 13 vouchers of up to $400 provided to clients without shelter.
    • Possible donations can range from $25-$5000 through the website.

    Contact: Mark Loranger, Nancy Martinez

    How to volunteer:

    Volunteer positions can take the form of facilitating classes, providing practice interviews, and helping clients write resumes. As far as virtual volunteering or membership, the Kaleidoscope Giving Circle provides membership opportunities. For $250 a year, you can become more involved with Chrysalis (for example, you can help them with fundraising). The description is here. I’m also assuming that pre-existing Kaleidoscope members have already transitioned to an online environment, but the actual volunteers might have a bit of a harder time with that. The organization has also hosted online events that served as fundraisers.

    FOOD FORWARD

    • Contact: Laura Jellum
    • Email: [email protected]
    • Website: www.foodforward.org
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foodforwardla
    • Twitter: @foodforwardla
    • Instagram: @foodforward

    How to volunteer:

    1. Spring Melt – Virtual event on April 4th. Kits will be sent to your home so you can participate and
    2. there will be a virtual auction. www.foodforward.org/springmelt
    3. On the website, there is a master list of resources for people to get involved and serve.
    4. Sign up for newsletter to keep updated on opportunities to serve.
    5. Soon: Possible virtual trainings on how to harvest fruit for neighbors. High schoolers

    NEW HORIZONS

    Mission: New Horizons empowers individuals with disabilities to reach their full potential. Together we’re building an inclusive world that celebrates strengths, respects abilities, and embraces diversity.

    How You Can Help: Some of their volunteer opportunities can be transferred online, such as database administration, technology instruction and marketing. However, there is still a volunteer form that you can fill out online. You can also donate to the Safer Horizons fund or the COVID-19 Wish list. You can also make face masks for New Horizons. They have instructions on how to make them by hand on their website, and cleanse them properly so they are sanitized and ready for use.

    Contact: John Brauer

    Social Media

    How to volunteer:

    • Reach out to donate gift cards and games.
    • An Amazon wish list is coming.
    • Soon: High schoolers might soon have the opportunity to engage New Horizons clients in
    • playing games virtually. The website will be updated with opportunities to volunteer.

    STRAY CAT ALLIANCE

    Mission: Stray Cat Alliance educates and empowers communities to advocate for every cat’s right to be safe, healthy and valued.

    Contact: Christi Metropole

    How to volunteer:

    Since COVID-19 has shut down the rescue, fostering is more important than ever. You can fill out a foster application and look at their bios on the website. You can also sponsor a cat through the charity’s website. Depending on the area of volunteering, some work might be able to transfer online (like administrative work). I’m not seeing really any information about that, but the website is still accepting applications. You can also donate to their emergency fund, which supports cats that need surgery or medical needs.

    UNITED FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN

    Mission: The United Friends of the Children aim to help foster youth thorough temporary housing and education. They aim to help the youth develop the skills necessary for adulthood and life skills. The housing project helps youth through mentorship and career counseling. It also provides mental health services. Their three main objectives are listed here:

    • Build Meaningful, Lasting Relationships
    • Provide Resources for a Successful Transition to Adulthood
    • Change Current Educational Outcomes

    Contact: Matt Strieker

    How to volunteer:

    Companies are encouraged to provide internships for kids in the program, and volunteers can find more information about volunteering on volunteermatch. I didn’t see any new opportunities listed under their website, but maybe they are still figuring some things out with the COVID-19 crisis. There is also a wishlist and donation page that you can donate to or buy from to provide laptops for the kids.

  • YWCA GLENDALE

    Mission Statement: YWCA Glendale is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

    Contact: Heather Masteron

    • Email: [email protected] - Put “Envision Volunteer” as the subject of the email
    • Website: www.glendaleywca.org
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YWCAGlendale
    • Twitter: @ywcaglendale
    • Instagram: @ywcaglendale

    How to volunteer:

    Through the website, you can “Adopt a Family” by providing a wishlist for families affected by domestic violence. The program is not available yet, and is set to take place in November 2020. nder the volunteer page, there are no descriptions of any volunteer positions available, but an online application that can be filled out. You can adopt a room by decorating the shelter and office. There are currently no available opportunities yet. As far as donating, you can donate through the Persimmon Donor Circle, or directly through the donation page.

  • HAVEN HILLS

    Contact: Iliana Tavera

    • Email: [email protected]
    • Website: www.havenhills.org
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HavenHills
    • Twitter: @havenhills
    • Instagram: @havenhills

    How to volunteer:

    • Donate funds, gift cards (grocery, restaurants), nonperishable food items (call hotline: 818-887-
    • 6589), and spread the word about what Haven Hills does by sharing social media posts and
    • stories.

    THE GENTLE BARN

    Mission: At The Gentle Barn we stand up for the innocent, and we help animals and children alike remember that they matter. We open people’s hearts to the connections with nature. We open people’s minds to what is happening around us. And we inspire people to be an integral part of the solution. Through the stories and interactions with our animals, we can raise future generations to have reverence for all life, protect our planet, live good healthy, happy lives, and we will all be closer to having peace on earth!

    How You Can Help:

    You can apply to volunteer through the website. I’m not sure if they are still accepting volunteers, but I doubt it? You can buy merchandise from their store (water bottles, shirts, calendars, and ice packs!!?). You can also, of course, donate. You can also sponsor an animal. They have different costs for different animals such as sheep, goats, cows, and dogs. You can sponsor a group, and sponsor a ten month enhancement program for children. To help donate, you can also become a member.

    JAY NOLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES

    Mission: The mission of Jay Nolan Community Services, Inc. (JNCS) is to enable individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities to live fulfilling lives as members of the community by providing support services customized to their individual needs.

    How you can Help:

    They still have volunteer applications available on their website, but I’m not sure if they have transitioned to an online environment or not. You can donate, or shop from some of their promotional programs (Amazon Smile seems to be the only one that they have right now).

    TREE PEOPLE

    Mission: TreePeople inspires and supports the people of LA to come together to plant and care for trees, harvest the rain, and renew depleted landscapes. We unite with communities to grow a greener, shadier and more water-secure city at homes, neighborhoods, schools and in the local mountains. We work with volunteer leaders using our unique Citizen Forester model, and we influence government agencies for a healthy, thriving Los Angeles.

    How you can help:

    I think it might be a bit hard to volunteer online, but you can donate or become a member if you want to continue to support their work. You can supply donations ranging from 25-1000 dollars, or make a custom donation. Each amount of donation clarifies what can be accomplished with that amount of money (ex. $25 maintains a tree). In exchange for being a member, you can receive “benefits, discounts, news updates and more as a sign of our thanks” (from the Tree People website)

  • BOYS & GIRLS CLUB PASADENA

    Mission: We enable children and youth in the community, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, healthy, and responsible citizens. Serving more than 2,000 Pasadena-area kids and teens annually, we are changing the trajectory of kids’ lives through out-of-school programs and activities focused on academic success, healthy lifestyles, good character development, and leadership.

    Contact: Lisa Cavalier

    How to volunteer:

    Since hands- on activities and volunteer work is suspended, donating is the primary way to help The Boys and Girls Club. They host fundraisers and have a donation page and membership society (the 1937 society) that raises revenue for the club. You can help by completing the wishlist that the charity has set up through their website and amazon. You can also donate your car to the Boys and Girls Club. You can shop at Amazon smiles through the link on the Club’s website, and Amazon will donate .5% of the price of your item to the Boys and Girls club.

    RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

    Mission: The mission of RMHC is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families.

    Contact: Mara Leong

    How you can help:

    Volunteers have opportunities to help the houses themselves, family rooms, and ronald mcdonald care mobiles. Although I did not see any position for event planning, I’m sure that volunteers can be involved in fundraising and event planning through a virtual space. Volunteer applications are still available on the website. As far as donating, donations can be made through the form of toys and food. Corporate partnerships are also encouraged, and people can sign up to donate their vehicle to the charity. You can also encourage others to donate by starting your own individual fundraiser through the website.

    YOUNG & HEALTHY

    Mission: Young & Healthy’s mission is to provide access to high-quality healthcare for uninsured and underserved children and families and to improve the quality of life for all children in the greater Pasadena area through prevention, education, and enhanced healthcare services.

    Contact: Mary Donnelly-Crocker

    How to volunteer:

    I’m not exactly sure if professional volunteers (those who assist with the medical services) are still working. Community volunteers can help with activities such as transportation, office work, dental education (to educate children about dental health), and special events. I think that some of this would translate into an online atmosphere pretty well, especially the virtual presentations. You can apply for a (possible??) virtual position through the applications on the volunteer page. You can donate through the Young and Healthy alliance, or the donation page.

    CONVALESCENT AID SOCIETY

    Mission: The Convalescent Aid Society, located in Pasadena, California, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of our clients by providing the free loan of durable medical equipment (DME) for in-home use in order to:

    • Improve the quality of life.
    • Restore and prolong mobility
    • Promote continued independence and autonomy
    • Champion sustainable and cost-effective re-use, repair and recycling of DME.

    Contact: Mark Waterson

    How to volunteer:

    From the donation options listed, you can make a donation in memory of, in honor of, or a general donation. The general donations will cover costs such as canes, walkers, benches, and wheelchairs. You can pick which item you want to specifically donate, with options ranging from 25-500. This will help CAS buy entirely new equipment, without having to go through the hassle of cleansing and dealing with donation transactions.

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