Berkeley Parents Network: Local Organizations that need our Support

Berkeley Parents Network

Local Organizations that need our Support

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Charity, Donations & Recycling > Local Organizations that need our Support

Alameda County Community Food Bank

I always feel strongly about the Alameda County Community Food Bank. With all the welfare hits this year, they're serving more families and individuals than ever--especially children. We've been giving food and money as we can afford (sometimes only $10/mo, with me as a stay-at-home mom, but I think it helps)for the last 5 years or so. When I get some time (!), I plan to volunteer time with them too. They also collect food in front of the Safeway on Solano, and maybe others. Since they are local, I always feel good about the "think globally, act locally" slogan. (When I had an office job, I'd always collect from my co-workers for them, too. People seem to really like the idea of helping out a food bank).

-- Roxanne

Bay Area Adoption Services

This international adoption agency collects items that are of use to orphanages in the Third World, package up useful combinations of these things, and then give them to families who are on their way to other countries to adopt their children to deliver to orphanages in the children's home countries. Some of the items they collect are new, but some, like cloth diapers, pants and pins, are OK used. Here's the complete list: Vaseline Jelly, Cotton Diapers, Diaper Pins, Plastic Pants, Hydrogen Peroxide, Soap, Hibiclens or Betadine Disinfectant, PolyViSol Liquid Vitamins for Children, Children's Chewable Vitamins, Brushes & Combs, Tylenol for Children, Neosporin, Baby Lotion, Cotton Swabs, Cotton, Gauze, Diaper Rash Ointment, Adhesive Tape, Children's Cough Syrup, Baby Wipes (not drop-in refill paks), Toothpaste, Band-Aid Strips and Baby Shampoo.

Bay Area Adoption Services has assisted in the adoption of over 1,000 children from over 30 different countries. The office is in Mountain View (650-964-3800), but a Berkeley mother, Jane Wolff, goes there every month and can collect donations at her home in Berkeley. Call 642-6716.

BOSS (Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency)

February 2007

For several years I've been making monthly donations to BOSS, Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency, an East Bay group which helps homeless people get off the street. In general, their work has a good reputation, but I've heard/read complaints about their administrative efficiency, or lack thereof, and in the past their donations department has failed to bill my credit card. In fact, last year, only half of my intended donation was billed! I don't question their good intentions, but this sort of ineffiency doesn't inspire confidence. I'm going to check a few other sources, but in the meantime, have any BPN families had experience donating to/working with BOSS and, if so, what are their opinions? Melanie

My friend, Sonja Fitz, has worked at BOSS for 15+ years. She is as efficient as they come. Although I have never had any problem having my donations received and accepted by BOSS, if you want to be absolutely sure that your contribution reaches its rightful destination, add ''Attention Sonja Fitz'' to the envelope. Lindy

In response to the question about BOSS’s administrative efficiency, budget cuts over the past few years meant that BOSS has lost administrative capacity (going from 4 fundraising staff to 1 – me, Sonja) so handling all grant, event, and donor activities is challenging, but I do my best and to the best of my knowledge Melanie’s monthly donation is the only task I dropped the ball on. I have changed my system so that it will not happen again, and regret the poor showing it made of us. Our other monthly donors give through our website, where donations are handled by an outside organization, although they charge 3% so I do appreciate Melanie’s desire to give to us directly. We have hundreds of active donors a year, and I send each a prompt thank-you letter, while keeping track of who wishes not to receive phone calls or extraneous mailings, etc.

BOSS does very good work with homeless families and individuals who have multiple special needs (mental illness, drug/alcohol addiction, illiteracy, HIV/AIDS, domestic violence), providing housing and shelter, education and employment services, access to health care, and more. We need every penny we can raise to keep our programs operating. If anyone else has had a less than satisfactory experience with their giving to BOSS, I hope you will contact me personally so I can resolve the problem and share my appreciation for your support. Many thanks!! Sonja Fitz BOSS Development Director (510) 649-1930 sonjafitz[at]yahoo.com Sonja

Sorry to hear of your less than satisfactory experience. I would urge you to contact BOSS directly, if you have not done so, to let them know of these incidents and to give them an opportunity to respond. Perhaps there's a glitch with their e- donation software? anon

Diabetic Youth Foundation

I'd like to put in a plug for the Diabetic Youth Foundation. They run Bearskin Meadow Camp for children with diabetes. Every summer DYF puts on family camp sessions as well as a more traditional kid's summer camp program (ages approx. 6-18, including the counselors in training). They always need funds for "camperships," medical supplies, and general operations. If you work for a pharmecutical company, donations of insulin, blood testing equipment, etc., are very welcome too! I worked as a counselor at Bearskin Meadow for over 10 years and can whole-heartedly endorse this organization. It is a wonderful place where kids with diabetes can learn how to stay healthy, meet others who live with insulin on a daily basis, and have life-changing experiences in the outdoors. Their phone number is 925-680-4994. (last updated May 2001)

-- Anne-Marie

Dorothy Day House

From: Cathy (11/98)

Regarding community service opportunities, this is not in Contra Costa but in Berkeley, so I'm not sure you'll be interested.... There's an organization called the Dorothy Day House that does regular meal preparation and servings for the homeless at the Veteran's Building (1931 Center). They are almost entirely run by volunteers and are very well-organized. Hence, it's a very gratifying experience. They can be reached at 549-2336.

Elizabeth House

Please call the Elizabeth House in Oakland to donate your furniture, etc. They are a shelter for women and their children and do terrific work. Omaloor (8/01)

Emergency Shelter Program

is the largest domestic shelter in Alameda County. They can be reached at 22634 Second St., Suite 205, Hayward, CA 94541. The telephone number is 510-581-5626. Donations are gladly accepted.

Kids' Turn

From: Susanna (12/98)

I'd like to include Kids' Turn (where I happen to work!) on the list of nonprofits which would appreciate holiday donations. Kids' Turn does workshops for children whose parents have divorced or separated, and serves primarily children ages 4-14. We're in the process of developing a program for parents of children aged 3 and under. We offer services in four Bay Area counties, including Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco and Marin. The East Bay phone number is 510-835-8445.

La Leche League

La Leche League of Oakland/Berkeley is accepting donations for its yard sale on September 15 which is being held to raise money to produce breastfeeding information packets for new mothers, support the education and training of leaders and leaders-in-training, and enhance our lending library. La Leche League is a nonprofit organization so all donations are tax-deductible. Items may be dropped off in advance at private homes in N. Berkeley (jenharnish AT aol.com or 548-4804) or Richmond (Dana at mcmahan73 AT home.com or 234-3437) or pickup of items can also be arranged (contact Dana or Jen). Thank you! La Leche League is an international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to providing education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed. Jen (8/01)

Legal Services for Children

From: Liz (12/98)

Even a small contribution can go a long way to helping children at risk. Legal Services for Children provides legal and social services to abused and neglected children in Alameda County and San Francisco. LSC also works on delinquency prevention, kids and families affected by HIV and establishing legal guardianships. An attorney and social worker team together to represent the children. Contact Claudia Jackson, Director, 1254 Market Street, 3rd floor, San Francisco, 94102. (415) 863-3762.

Piedmont Gardens Retirement Home

Jay, Jordan and I have been volunteers at Piedmont Gardens, a retirement home off of Piedmont Ave. in Oakland for several years. We serve as "shoppers" every other Saturday, but many other volunteer opportunities are availavle there as well. They have different "sections" for people of different abilities, e.g. independent living, assisted living and nursing home, so people can work with the area they feel most comfortable. They also have a moms and babies program, where you visit the residents with your babies. They're located at 110 41st St. in Oakland. The volunteer coordinator is Elizabeth Chamish and she can be reached at 654-7172 ext. 113. Interested volunteers: please let Elizabeth know that Lee Eisman of East Bay Moms referred you. Thank you.

- Lee

A Safe Place

is a shelter in Oakland for battered women and their children. They do good work, but need money and volunteers! The phone number for donations is 636-4747. PO Box 1075 Oakland 94604

St. Anthony Foundation I recently received an email from a friend that said that the Marion Women's Shelter in San Francisco (www.stanthonysf.org) is in serious need of women's and children's clothing. Looks like it's part of the St. Anthony Foundation. I don't know if they pick up or not. Jana (8/01)

Women's Cancer Resource Center

I'd like to put in a plug for the Women's Cancer Resource Center. It's local---on Shattuck past the Berkeley Bowl---and a mostly volunteer organization that provides information and support (in the form of support groups and volunteers who will come to the home regularly if needed) for women with cancer. They have a wonderful library and a paid librarian who is indredibly knowledgeable, and are really committed to empowering women with cancer. I took the volunteer training there a couple of years ago and worked as a volunteer for about a year, but had to stop when the demands of two kids overwhelmed me. It is really a great place, and I hope to return to volunteering there again soon.

They are not supported by any big corporations or the government, and are always in need of donations and volunteers. Call 548-9272.

Lindsay (12/98)

The Women's Daytime Drop-In Center

The Women's Daytime Drop-In Center in Berkeley serves homeless women and their children. Although they are not a collection facility, they can refer you to women who are making a transition to housing of their own and need furniture and items for children and the household. The main number is (510) 548-2884. J (8/01)

The Women's Daytime Drop-In Center is a nonprofit program addressing the needs of homeless women and children to ensure that they have a safe, daytime refuge where they receive support, nourishing meals, and access to community resources to overcome homelessness and regain their self-sufficiency. It is the only daytime program for women in Berkeley, and one of two in the East Bay. They serve an average of 150 women and children a month in a nurturing, homelike environment. Services are available at no fee to any homeless woman or child. They can be reached Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM at 2218 Acton Street, Berkeley, CA 94702 or call 548-2884. (Natasha 12/98)

The Women's Refuge, Inc

        P.O. Box 3298
        Berkeley, CA  94703
        510-547-4663
        Executive Director - Charlene Stamps-Bolling

This is an emergency shelter and transitional housing program for women, many with children. The majority of the families are victims of domestic violence. They are provided with counseling, legal assistance, housing search, parenting education and skills to secure employment. Graduates act as mentors to new families. Donations are tax-deductible. Besides cash, the program can use donations of women and children's clothing in good condition, chests of drawers, twin beds and bedding and new toys (wrapped, at holiday time.) Send checks to the Women's Refuge, P.O. Box 3298, Berkeley, CA 94703. For other donations, call 547-4663. (Natasha 12/98)

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