Iguana Vintage Clothing, located on Hollywood Boulevard, offers vintage clothing and shoes at affordable prices. The store offers a variety of costumes and accessories such as bandanas, leg warmers, tutus, eyewear and hats.
The Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, or "Stand By Me", as the program is commonly called, began in 1996 when current director Kathy Witkowicki was put in charge of some grant money at her children's school, Flowery Elementary. Fourteen years later, the program no longer runs out of an elementary school closet, but has a large office suite, a team of employees and mentor liasons in place at all of the area elementary schools.
"Stand By Me" seeks to place at-risk elementary school children with local mentors who develop relationships and spend quality time with the kids. Mentors are placed through a thorough screening process and are asked to make a commitment of several years (many mentors form lifelong relationships with their mentees).
According to the "Stand By Me" brochure, "a child with a mentor is 98 percent more likely to stay in school." The program also organizes events, classes, an annual barbecue and career seminars throughout the year. "Stand By Me" is always looking for new mentors and people who would like to support the program financially.
Malibu Community Labor Exchange (MCLE) is a non-profit organization that specializes in the hiring and administration of day workers. It boasts more than 5000 registered workers and was founded by former nun and day worker advocate, Connie Fox.
Opened in 1979, Ronald McDonald House at Stanford is a temporary home for families with critically ill children who are receiving specialized treatment at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. The House can accommodate 47 families in private rooms with baths. There are communal cooking and dining facilities, and a wide variety of amenities and programs onsite to help provide a supportive environment to families going through a challenging time. The House welcomes donations and volunteers, and refers you to its website for more information on how to contribute.
The Child and Family Guidance Center is a non-profit organization that offers high quality mental health care, social services and connections to community resources. It accepts Medi-Cal, Healthy Families and Victims of Crime. It offers help to infants, children, young adults and families.
The YMCA of Marin operates in a beautiful facility tucked between Terra Linda and Lucas Valley. It features:
- a 25-yard, six-lane pool
- whirlpool and dry sauna
- three studios for exercise classes
- basketball, handball and racquetball courts
- fitness center with the latest equipment
- free coffee and Wi-Fi
- free Childwatch
- towel service
Loma Linda Ronald McDonald House, located on Anderson Street in Loma Linda, seeks to create a "home away from home" for families of critically ill and injured children who receive medical treatment at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital and nearby medical facilities. This location, part of 280 houses nationwide, offers charitable services to children and their families since 1974.
Santa Cruz Elks Lodge offers a place for Elks members to gather. It works closely with the community through special programs, sponsorships, fundraisers and special events. The location hosts weekly bingo games and dinners, as well as birthday nights and community events. A calendar of local events is available at the website listed.
Founded in 1916, the Beverly Hills Women's Club is committed to furthering art, intellect, social grace and philanthropy. The club's fundraising efforts support children and the homeless, as well as the L.A. Conservancy, a local historic preservation society.
For members, workshops frequently take place on various subjects, including wine, cooking, dance, flower arranging and gardening. The group also hosts lectures, games such as mahjong and bridge, banquets and book clubs.
In addition to membership fees, participation in activities requires pre-paid registration for each event, ranging from approximately $25 to $50 or more.
This not-for-profit organization employs a community land trust model to provide affordable housing to low-income families in the Bay Area. It both builds and renovates existing properties to rent or sell below market cost to residents who have been trained in home ownership responsibilities. The organization also offers office space when available.
A 17-acre wildlife rehabilitation center for orphaned and injured wild animals, the Suisun Wildlife Rehabilitation Center takes in raccoons, possums, badgers, squirrels and even snakes. It also has a cadre of educational animals on hand to spread knowledge of local species including hawks, a golden eagle and a coyote. The center is a nonprofit that takes some of its animals to local schools or educational assemblies.
Pets in Need is a non-profit adoption shelter for dogs and cats. It was founded in 1965 both as a place to educate people about pet care and to help lost pets get home. As a no-kill shelter, no animal suitable for re-homing is ever put to death at Pets in Need. The shelter is 100% donation-based.
