Salvation Army Petaluma is a part of the global evangelical Christian church. In addition to worship service, Salvation Army provides social services, including help with paying utility bills and emergency food for needy families. It also operates a four-unit family transitional housing program.
Healthy Community Consortium is a nonprofit organization led by Pat Landrum that focuses on community building as well as programs that empower and support youth and seniors. Recent initiatives have included Ready by 21, which aims to prepare youth for the workforce, and the Petaluma Youth Network, which identifies specific needs of a demographic to help them succeed.
Petaluma Educational Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works to secure private sector contributions for Petaluma-area schools. The group's work consists of funding grants to teachers for innovative teaching practices, giving scholarships to graduating seniors and sponsoring theater and live music performances at no charge to students.
Petaluma People Services Center is a far-reaching organization that works to reduce poverty, physical and mental abuse, addiction and mental illness in children, adults and seniors. Last year, more than 7,000 people took part in the center's programs, which include Meals on Wheels, adult daycare, counseling and gang prevention.
Carousel Fund is an all-volunteer organization that raises money for children facing life-threatening illnesses or injuries from accidents. It was started by Arnie and Susan Cohen in 1986 and hosts an annual fundraiser to raise money for its work.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a world-wide fraternal organization that is also known as the Three Link Fraternity, with the three links symbolizing friendship, love and truth. It extends its charitable works through the Rebekahs (the women's organization) and the Junior Odd Fellows (for younger members).
The Petaluma Subordinate Lodge #30 meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7 pm.
The Alano Club is a nonprofit organization that provides a clean, sober and safer environment for recovering alcoholics and other addicts. Groups that meet at the club include members of Alcoholics Anonymous, Marijuana Anonymous, Crystal Meth Anonymous and Sex Addicts Anonymous.
Alano is open seven days a week and receives more than 2,000 visits a month.
Mentor Me Petaluma is a nonprofit group that creates mentoring opportunities by pairing adults with children ages 5 - 17. The group asks volunteers to commit one hour a week for at least two years, which can include helping with homework to taking children to the park. Mentor Me Petaluma is hosted within 13 Petaluma schools and works with a variety of local organizations.
Elk's Lodge Petaluma is a members-only fraternal organization. The lodge features many amenities including a pool and game room, full bar, fully equipped gym with showers, a large dining and meeting room, and an RV park with 18 hook-ups. For information about lodge rental, please call the number provided. Members enjoy fellowship, and create and participate in many community programs. The Elks meet on the second and fourth Thursday of every month.
Started in 1978 by a group of clergy and civic leader, PEP is a nonprofit organization that builds housing for low-income seniors. It currently has 274 units at 12 locations throughout Petaluma and is expanding into other communities around California. PEP staff assist residents by referring them to community organizations for additional services, organize education and health-related activities and arrange for in-home support, transportation and meals.
Boulevard Apartments is a 16-unit complex housing special needs residents. The facility was built by Buckelew Programs, a local nonprofit that works with the mentally ill. In 2008, management of Boulevard was taken over by Burbank Housing, a Santa Rosa-based nonprofit that works to increase affordable housing in the region. Visit the website to obtain applications and additional information.
Saving Rhinos is a not for profit organization seeking to put an end to the suffering of Rhino populations throughout the world. It has launched several very successful campaigns to slow the killing of Rhinos in Africa for the sale of their horns on the black market through Yemen. Visit its Web site to learn more about how you can get involved.
The mission of the Petaluma River Heritage Center is to introduce current and future generations to the history of the Petaluma River and its adjacent sloughs, marshes and farmlands. The center teaches maritime, agricultural and outdoor heritage skills to visitors. The center also provides river-related displays, programs, interactive classes and stewardship activities.
The Petaluma Masonic Lodge has a long history in Petaluma, forming in 1855, and receiving its charter in 1858, the same year the city was founded. But during the Civil War, the lodge was split according to sympathies for either Union or Confederate side.
Today, the fraternal organization is housed in an old Victorian on Western Avenue and is primarily a social club whose members meet once a month and plan charitable activities. It is also available for rent to the community.
Established in 1991, PeopleLink is a non-profit, educational student exchange program. Its core program is a short-term homestay with a Canadian or American family. PeopleLink also has a student exchange program where participants stay for several days up to an entire year while attending high school or university. The purpose of the program is to promote the understanding of different cultures and increase tolerances through similarities. The lasting bonds the students make with their host families and new friends is the most valuable part of the experience.