I've been involved with Lamorinda Village for the last two years and I continue to be impressed…read morewith the commitment from all the volunteers. Everything from providing transportation to handyman services. The concept of the village is so simple...use volunteers to help seniors around their home AND provide Community activities so they stay active and engaged. Now this thriving!!

It honestly breaks my heart to have to give this place a negative review. I had such high hopes in…read morethe beginning. As someone who is newly out after years of religious trauma, they were who I turned to first. I had wanted to volunteer there. I received no response even though I reached out on several occasions. When I tried to sign up for women of the rainbow, it was questioned why someone my age would need their help. I was told they were not a dating service. I wish I never would have gone there. It's hard knowing that this was my first attempt at belonging and I was so horribly rejected. I really hate to say this, but I would say queer women 25 to 49 should steer clear of this place. Especially if you are overweight and nuerodivergent. There has to be a safe place for us. I'm still looking for my place, but it's for sure not here.

So, six years ago, I stopped by this place and they rejected me, saying there's nothing available…read morenow for me. I'm not interested in forcing myself on anyone, so I just left. Six years later (2025), I went by to post a 3x5 card and I was told that I needed to register, which meant I would get emails about events they are holding. Seemed reasonable I guess, and I was hoping the atmosphere had improved, so I registered. I made the mistake of attending two of their senior womens meetings. These meetings are supposed to be open to anyone in the community. While the first was okay, but the second was horrible. At the second one, a new attendee, a lesbian, who seemed in a bad mood, started on a tirade against transgender people. Five minutes of bile and hate later, I was hoping someone would object, but to my amazement the other two lesbians in the group there encouraged her and supported her. I should have objected but I felt the hatred expressed was too overwhelming and I decided there just was no advantage to objecting and I just left. I did not believe anything I said would be received well as I there was three of them and one of me, and they were all in agreement As far as I am concerned this place is a bastion of hate and bigotry and I have no interest being anywhere near them. Rainbow my eye....

I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Solano Food Bank via Kaiser Permanente…read more First let me say, WOW! What an operation. Upon driving up you can't help but notice that their building is HUGE! It's as big as a Costco! Tons of trailers were docked getting filled up by the many volunteers. They even had a Amazon trailer at the loading/unloading dock. There were approximately 30+ volunteers. We all gathered at the picnic tables inside the warehouse. Coffee, Tea, and snacks were provided - nice touch. We all worked together to load many boxes of food that were sent on a rolling conveyor belt with volunteers all along it. I was a team of 2 that stacked the boxes on multiple pallets before a forklift driver whisked them away. It was so awesome to be apart of. If you ever have a chance to volunteer please do so.

Very much appreciated the people are angels straight from Heaven so thankful they really go out…read morethey way!

If you are currently working as a legal professional in Contra Costa County, becoming a member of…read morethe MDLPA is a very valuable (and fun) way to invest in yourself. I have been a member of MDLPA for several years and enjoy making friends and hearing speakers at the monthly membership meetings. These regular meetings are held the second Monday of every month and potential members and guests are welcome to attend. In attendance they often have paralegals, legal secretaries, document solution companies, staffing agencies, and reporting service companies. It is a wonderful opportunity to network with other legal professionals over dinner. Emails are sent out between meetings updating us on important changes to local and federal laws, court schedules and other relevant matters. We also receive notices of employment opportunities, and from time to time a member will submit a question in hopes that someone with more experience in that area can help answer it. We currently have over 50 members. General membership dues are only $50 annually. Student memberships are offered at a discounted rate. The monthly dinner is less than $25 for members and often includes MCLE credits, a big bonus for paralegals like myself who are required to complete several hours a year. Many law firms are happy to pay these fees for their staff - I'm lucky to work for a firm that will pay for any employee to join and attend. Speaker topics vary month to month and our speakers are often local attorneys, judges, court staff, and other legal professionals. Fundraisers are held throughout the year, as well as interclub events with other local associations. Crab feeds, dinner and theater nights, horse racing, and bowling are all examples of FUNdraising activities. Some of the funds contribute to our scholarship fund which is awarded annually to a local college student. MDLPA is one of the 58 associations of Legal Secretaries, Inc. (www.lsi.org). LSI Quarterly conferences take place through the year and are hosted by different associations. I attended my first conference in Sacramento this summer. LSI offers the California Certified Legal Secretary (CCLS) examination. It is a comprehensive exam and you must maintain your certification once you have passed with continuing education. MDLPA offers a study group to help you prepare to take the exam, which is offered twice a year. The best way to learn more about this association is to attend a meeting. Dinners are held at Buttercup Grill in Walnut Creek and you must RSVP in advance. More information about dinners, events, speakers, and the association can be found on their webpage.

I joined this organization after attending one of the workshops at a conference. The events a the…read moreconference were really well-presented and I was able to get the MCLE credits I needed as well. There are some great presentations at the monthly meetings by judges, attorneys and other legal professionals that are really terrific - and all this in an environment with others who share our same interests in the legal community.

This was a small place to bring donated goods- clothes, books, shoes, etc. The guys that was…read moremanning the place was so nice. We will definitely come back.

Super convenient location and parking and the people there were great…read moreI tried to donate a baby bouncer and they explained very nicely why they can't take certain baby items I definitely will go back there

I had some mixed experiences here, but it won't stop me from using some of the day laborers here…read more I called and left a message regarding hiring some people to help me with a backyard project. No one returned my call. Then I went to the website and saw that they were open 6 to 10 am for walk-ins. I decided to do that on a Saturday morning, but by the time I arrived just after 8 am, they were closed. Someone outside told me they closed at 8 am that morning (instead of 10 am), but asked what I needed. I told them I need a couple of guys to help me with my backyard mulching project. He shouted to some guys in the parking lot, and voila, I got two guys to help me. These guys were real pros and came prepared to work. These guys were very hard working, and we worked through the mulch pile in my backyard in about 5 hours (mulching a hillside). I was very impressed with how fast it got done (especially going up and down the hill). I had a second delivery of mulch the following week, and I got one of the workers' cell phone. We arranged 3 guys the following week since we had to move the mulch from the driveway to the backyard, and the job got done just as efficiently and effectively. I'm overall pleased with the day workers that I found hanging outside the center, and I'm glad I went there physically to find someone. So 5 stars for the day workers I picked up. Very hard working and very nice guys. I will have no hesitation to come back here to find help with more projects. As for the center, the jury is still out. No one has returned my call, but it's moot at this point, as I got the helpers I needed. Next time I will just show up and see who I can find in the parking lot.

called to get a quote for a paint job. I thought I was going to get skilled workers to help with…read morethe job. Instead I got referred to a company. Quote was higher than some I got on yelp.

Great community of people, who work hard to help those in need!read more

I have worked with Save Mount Diablo for about 15 years, first as an employee of Mount Diablo State…read morePark then as a volunteer. For over 50 years Save Mount Diablo has done more than anyone or anything else in preserving the Natural environment of the SF East Bay. Through their efforts thousands of acres of open space has been protected for the Public use. Mount Diablo State park was about 6000 acres when Save Mount Diablo was formed 50 years ago and because they fought the developers MDSP is now over 20,000 acres. Getting private land owners to sell their property to Save Mount Diablo instead of a developer is a monumental task. Save Mount Diablo dedicated staff continues the fight to save private property from development up and down the Diablo Range. I can't think of any other organization that has done more to benefit our quality of life. If you would like to donate to protect our natural open space for future generations please consider giving to Save Mount Diablo.

Save Mount Diablo's mission is to preserve its namesake mountain, the surrounding foothills and the…read morebroader Diablo Range open spaces that provide vital habitat for its diverse wildlife. As a volunteer, I've really enjoyed introducing people to these open spaces through the Discover Diablo sponsored hikes. Most of us who live in the East Bay know that we live in one of the largest urban areas in the country. However few of us realize that just a few short miles from home are magnificent lands, hiking trails and breathtaking vistas. As an avid hiker, I enjoy leading hikes for Save Mt. Diablo's Discover Diablo program where we strive to provide a greater appreciation for the open spaces and how critical they are to the survival of local wildlife. Its fun to educate people about the local topography, vegetation and wildlife in the hope that hikers have fun and memorable experiences. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the Discover Diablo program and I think the more intimate we become with our wonderful open spaces, the more we will appreciate and preserve them now and for future generations.