* A Caution for Blended Families Considering the WRAP 5 Acres Program *…read more As a bonus-parent (stepparent) actively involved in a blended family, I enrolled in this parenting program with high hopes; through our health care provider. Unfortunately, my experience revealed a fundamental flaw... this program is not currently equipped to support blended or bonus-parent dynamics! From the beginning, I participated fully and respectfully, always with the full interest of our bonus kiddos in mind. That has and will nave change. However, following some sort of conflict unrelated to the program's content, I was quietly removed - without a single word of communication from the 5 Acres Team to me directly. The team chose instead to speak solely with the biological parent, who then relayed the message. No one from the team reached out to clarify, explain, or even acknowledge my participation, my role, or my removal. I was effectively erased due to another adult's discomfort, and the program allowed that to happen - without question. This wasn't just disappointing--it was revealing. This program appears to have a narrow framework that may work well for separated or divorced biological parents navigating co-parenting. But it lacks the sensitivity, nuance, and structure needed to support modern family systems like blended households. The consequences go far beyond the development of healthy co-parenting in support of the kiddos! It teaches the child that love, care, and effort from a bonus parent can be disregarded or erased based on someone else's feelings. That kind of inconsistency creates confusion, insecurity, and emotional distress for the child. They may internalize conflict that has nothing to do with them. They may feel pressure to "choose sides," or feel ashamed for loving more than one caregiver. It also teaches them that programs meant to support their well-being can be politicized by adult agendas. While I understand programs need boundaries, those boundaries should not default to exclusion when family dynamics are complex. And they should never allow one adult's opinion to unilaterally determine who is "allowed" to participate in a child's growth. This could be a tremendous area of opportunity--if the program chooses to evolve! Until then, I would strongly caution any stepparent or blended family considering enrollment. Unless and until the program reflects the realities of today's families, it may do more harm than good - especially to the children we are all trying to protect.

I'm shocked this place still exists!!! I was put there at a…read moreyoung age. The experience I had was abuse by staff. To the point cops were involved. If you're thinking of dropping your kids off there, think again!! 40 years later, I'll never forget what this place did to me... I don't want anyone to get hurt, but hope it burns down in the fires!!

Door of Hope is an amazing Foundation. True angels, helping families find housing or stay in their…read morecurrent home. They are easy to get ahold of and very responsive. Thank you Door of Hope!

Looking for a place to volunteer your time or other useful resources? Well, this place helps…read morehomeless families get on their feet. I helped with a quick renovation project to get the home ready for a family of 11 to come and stay. There's not much else I can say because I was busy working my project, but now that I know about this place, I'd definitely like to help out more in the future if I'm around the Pasadena area!

A great place for youth to socialize and receive services such as mentoring, tutoring, life skills,…read moremental health services and more. Every Tuesday is dedicated to seniors and services are also provided. Great asset to the community. Check them out!

I can't say enough wonderful things about Jesse and his crew. Always warm and welcoming AND…read moregrateful for the things I've been able to donate. They are providing a much needed service for the community as well as for recently emancipated foster youth, an endeavor close to my heart as a former social worker. I will always support and appreciate Journey House!

Hands down the best thrift store in the area ever since it opened. It was my hidden gem! I found…read moresooo many special pieces in this store. When I moved away from Pasadena they were so helpful and accommodating on picking up my refrigerator and allowing me to donate so many items. I will truly miss this place and hope to come again one day soon!

I waited 40 minutes with an appointment. Don't come here. They over booked. They don't communicate…read morewith you once you are here. They make you sign in even if you have an appointment and take people who have signed in before you without an appointment. They don't communicate that they are overbooked and still take your appointment. I will not come back.

Beautiful organization with a warm home to help pregnant mothers get on their feet in this cold…read moreworld. I dropped off car seats and look forward to making more future mother and baby donations

Attended the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce Mixer on Thursday this week at the store. My second visit…read moreand found yet again amazing things. This organization is "One in a Million " Without the store which I uncovered 9 years ago back home in Texas I wouldn't have my house equipped with what I have. They saved me when I left a bad situation with nothing. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have found them and support them. I dare anyone to stop in, donate you will be surprised and helping many people . Also volunteer you won't regret it

My daughter lives out near Temecula and she raves about the Habitat for humanity out there. My…read morehusbands been out to the one out there and he loved it! So my husband and I were couch shopping and I was like let's try this one in Pasadena! There was no new furniture, it was more of a flea market type of place, lotsa consignment pop ups in the building. The one part that was halfway decent was the contractor area, lots of cabinetry doors, regular house doors and that's about it. It was Just bleh

I've been volunteering with United Hope for Animals for about a year now and have had many positive…read moreexperiences. Rescuing animals is not for the faint of heart, and comes with a lot of dirt, heartache and possibility of illness. Fortunately, the people who run the group are willing to overlook all the obstacles and still help the poor creatures who desperately need them. I have helped them photograph dogs, worked adoption events, fostered dogs and am now fostering cats, and know that the good this organization does far outweighs any negatives. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone who wants to volunteer, but this type of work requires a lot of strength and determination to help those who need it most. The joy of helping saving a life is the best feeling in the world.

I have been volunteering for UHA for almost three years now, and I can't imagine why I haven't been…read moredoing it longer. I was "recruited" into the group after I witnessed a weekend glamour shot day while I was walking dogs at the Baldwin Park Shelter. Volunteering with UHA fulfills a part of me that had been unfulfilled since I had my first pet fish. I am surrounded by people who love animals as much as me, who don't mind having extended discussions concerning potty training, dog behavior, cuteness levels, and types of poop. I feel important, I feel accomplished, I feel like I have people to turn to if I'm having trouble. UHA's main concern is the individual, whether it's the animal or the person. It isn't about numbers, it isn't about politics. It's about finding the best home for one animal, the best fit for the owner. I couldn't imagine a more amazing, selfless, and helpful set of people and animal rescuers. They've made a difference in countless animals' lives, countless owners' lives, and definitely, in my own life. If you're looking to adopt a new fur baby, or just need some help or information, UHA is your rescue!

This is a great place to come volunteer if you're in the Pasadena area. It's located near the…read moreintersection of Pasadena Ave & California Blvd. Parking can be a little difficult since it's all street parking, but if they allow you to park in their driveway, then that's a win for you. My team dedicated a whole morning to cook a meal for the young patients here and their mothers. We decided to go with a Mexican meal because most of the families were Hispanic. We cooked a variety of enchiladas, with sides of rice and beans. And for dessert was a healthy fruit salad that we chopped up by ourselves. They provided us with the kitchen space and tools to do the cooking. Majority of the cooking tools were worn out, so next time I definitely want to donate some new ones to them. There was a kitchen in the front house and a back house, but both were very small. I suggest having a maximum of 6 people in each kitchen at a time, or it will get a little compact and chaotic. We had to take turns because we had a total of 25 people. During our downtime, we got to enjoy the property and interact with the families. I love what the Ronald McDonald House is doing for these families. It brings me absolute joy to volunteer and provide any aid that I can to our community. Our workplace is making this a once a month activity, but I definitely see myself coming back more often than that.

COME VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME, FOOD, EFFORTS or ANYTHING! The…read moreRonald McDonald House receives only 10% of its income needs from McDonalds organization. That is a large gap to fill. They need money, time, efforts or anything else you can give to help. The house shelters families whose kids are sick and receiving treatment at the hospital across the street. It helps families be near their children as they have operations, skin grafts, appendages mended, or cancer treated. Motel, hotels and inns within the area are neither cheap or as close. Call and see if you can fill a need. Run in one of their marathons.. anything.