The University Lutheran Church is the primary facility for the Stanford Episcopal and Lutheran community. The Episcopal Lutheran Campus Ministry (ELCM), comprised of Stanford undergraduate and graduate students, commonly uses this church for worship as well as non-faith based activities. More commonly known as "UniChu," the church is the hub of a community committed to social justice and hospitality to strangers. A ministry of Episcopal and Lutheran churches, the community welcomes people of all (or no) faiths.
The organization also meets in the CIRCLE Common Room at Stanford University. The gathering includes dinner, conversation and prayer. Other activities include Bible study, current event discussion, games and movies.
The church also houses the Amigos de Palo Alto program, a Spanish Immersion preschool housed at, but not affiliated with, the University Church. It provides a comfortable environment where parents can leave their children for daycare services. Bilingual instructors teach children English in a natural setting.
The church also hosts The Friends Program, a therapeutic group that addresses the developing needs of young children with Asperger's Syndrome. The program aids children with social communication and helps them face the daily challenges of school.
Acterra is an influential environmental organization dedicated to finding local solutions for a healthier planet. Offerings include an environmental leadership program; the Business Environmental Awards and Climate Heroes, which recognizes local green leaders and carbon reducers; Green@Home, which helps local residents reduce their home energy usage; and stewardship and fiduciary programs. The stewardship program restores damaged habitats to fully functioning healthy ecosystems. Acterra has worked to restore the Arastradero Preserve, San Francisquito Watershed and Redwood Grove Nature Preserve. Donation information and volunteer opportunities are available on the group's Web site.
Canopy Trees for Palo Alto is a non-profit landscaping company that services residents of Palo Alto and the surrounding areas. It specializes in planting trees in schools, neighborhoods and other areas in the community that are in need of landscaping services. Call the number provided for more information or to make an appointment.
Elizabeth Gamble Garden Center includes formal and demonstration gardens, a historic home, a carriage and tea house. This non-profit also has a library and master gardeners to answer all your gardening questions. Roam the gorgeous grounds -- for free -- or attend one of its signature events, like a Garden Fresh Luncheon or docent-led tour. You can also rent the Center for weddings and other special events.
Founded in 1892, All Saints Episcopal Church has been serving the surrounding community for over 100 years. Two worship services are held Sundays, along with church school, with child care available during services. Aside from services, it offers event and workshop spaces for rent, 12-step groups and dance classes. The church accommodate the community with a fireplace hall, parish hall and worship space with amazing acoustics.
This large, centrally located church offers a variety of services to its Christian community, including worship, prayer, youth programs, Bible camp, and numerous outreach programs, including feeding the homeless and holiday gift giving. Its community activities also include a knitting group, and a bike recycling program.
The Unitarian Universalist Church is a spiritual center for theists, atheists and agnostics alike to come together in a community centered around spirituality, social justice and a welcome environment for all ages. The church provides numerous activities and services for the community, including volunteer work days, musical programs, worship (led by Reverend Amy Zucker Morgenstern), social gatherings and opportunities to engage in political and environmental action.
Parents Place Family Resource Center is a program for Jewish families and childrens services in the Palo Alto area. It provides programs for kids as well as parenting classes for adults.
A fixture in Palo Alto since 1893, First Baptist Church is a progressive Baptist Church. Led by Pastor Dr. Rick Mixon, the Church has a congregation of approximately 150 members. Their mission is to worship God, explore together faith and commitment to Christ, to serve those in need and to provide a home for heart, mind and soul. The Church has a full calendar of events and an active community outreach program. The beautiful sanctuary is open for prayer and meditation during office hours.
Amidst several churches on Middlefield Road, University A.M.E. Zion Church is the oldest African-American church in the area. Formerly located on Ramona Street, the church moved to the current Middlefield location to provide a more fitting facility for the congregation. The A.M.E. Zion Church's emphasis is on "the salvation of the whole person--mind, body and spirit." Ultimately, it strives to be "The Freedom Church."
The CK-12 Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a unique mission: to create online collaborative environment for the production of free digital textbooks, which they call flexbooks. The organization is working to ensure the books meet curriculum guidelines and can be customized to individual needs.
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.
Greenmeadow Community Association is a non-profit civic organization comprised of neighbors living in Greenmeadow, a family community designed by architect Joe Eichler.
The Association encourages members of Greenmeadow to become active citizens within the community and hosts meetings, organizes activities at the swimming pool, solicits live entertainment at the park, and offers yoga and other activities to its members.
Palo Alto Buddhist Temple holds Sunday services as well as many events held throughout the year. Their dharma teachings are rooted in Shin Buddhism, which means "to live in the midst of an ordinary life, meaningfully and gratefully, transformed and empowered by the heart of Buddha's boundless compassion and wisdom." Affiliated organizations include a choir, a Buddhist Women's Association, Taiko drumming and the Dharma School for children, which teaches the Jodo Shinshu teachings to students from preschool to high school.
Worship and music come first at First Lutheran Church of Palo Alto. Both adult and children's choirs provide music for worship chosen from a wide variety of eras, and the church boasts a 26-rank Casavant organ played by a skilled organist. Services are open to all ages and orientations, and the space is also available for community services such as 12-step programs, music lessons and election polling.
