This used to be a good organization but all of their good staff members have left or been layed off…read morerecently. That got rid of 90% of their staff for new people that are all inexperienced. They seem so disorganized now and have no sense of direction. The past ED, Catherine O'dea gave them direction and really helped the community. Most of the staff now is brand new with no relevant experience or knowledge of our community. Don't be surprised if they bankrupt soon. Their event schedule says everything about what they are doing these days. There is hardly anything on there besides clean ups. They need to be replaced by another non profit. They are giving Save our Shores around the world a bad name.

Save Our Shores is an unbelievably good team of committed professionals that are doing a great job…read moreof keeping the Monterey Bay and its beaches healthy and clean for all of us. No one there is working for the money or glory of it- all are deeply committed to the marine environment and are working at below market pay to do so. As an active sailor and "beach walker", I am extremely grateful for what they do. I have donated to them and suggest that you do, too- Its like contributing to public Broadcasting- you use their services and are grateful for the results.

Community life services provides exceptional customer service. Because all there employees care…read moreabout there clients needs and wants. Everyone makes everyone feel respected, valued and equal. This services is amazing. This is a nonprofit organization supporting people with disabilities.

(I volunteered/Interned at Friends Outside over my 4 years at UC Santa Cruz and worked for them as…read morea Jail Librarian) Friends Outside is a National Non-Profit org. (in Santa Cruz, housed under the Volunteer Centers of SC County.) whose mission is to provide assistance to those incarcerated in local jails: "Our goal is to help lessen the trauma of incarceration for inmates & their families, to provide information that can lead to positive changes, & to assist ex-offenders with their re-entry into the community." http://www.friendsoutside.org/ Santa Clara: http://www.friendsoutsideinscc.org/ POST-RELEASE: If someone you know has been incarcerated or is on probartion/parole, contact FO! They are HELPFUL with: ~ Property retrieval & storage - Liaison between attorneys, family & other agencies - Confidential visits with a knowledgeable & supportive volunteer - Information about community services & drug/alcohol programs - Helping with emergencies caused by incarceration - Bring in resources such as dictionaries, reading glasses, bus passes, & writing tablets - Help with limited legal & financial situations - Begin planning post-release resources & referrals through the Aftercare process Everything from short & long-term case management which includes access to clothing & food vouchers, obtaining/applying for SSI & DMV I.D., housing applications & rent assistance, medical benfits & General governmental assitance, contacting your Parole/prob. agents & or family members, & registering to vote. We also visit prisoners ON THE INSIDE. After release from jail or prison, a client can meet with an Aftercare case manager for a one-stop resource & referral. Case managers offer support and advocate for clients, help facilitate post-release plans and provide applicable services. We make every effort to provide the information needed in the first few days of release. Friends Outside is unable to offer financial assistance; however, we may be able to connect clients to the appropriate agencies and churches. You may leave a message for a specific volunteer at 831 425-3434 or call for an appointment at 831 427-5078. We can help in the following areas: - Basic hygiene products and reading glasses - Information on food resources, voicemail, community programs, mental health and health-related services, education, counseling and shelters - Clothing vouchers / clothes - Bus passes (limited rides to court or appointments related to probation compliance) as well as maps and bus schedules - Assistance complying with probation to prevent unnecessary incarceration (WRAP) - Court accompaniment - Information on local and statewide legal and criminal justice agencies - Informal assistance with a job search - Free copies of the Friends Outside Resource Guide (which I created!) - Outreach and educational presentations about our services as appropriate Over the course of my time working for them as a case manager and jail librarian, I was able to access those incarcerated in Blaine Street Jail (minimum security for Women), the Main SC County Jail (Men and Women's Medium Security), "The Farm" and The Rountree Men's Facilities in Watsonville (Medium Men's jails). The experience was eye-opening, and got me into the work I am doing now as a Case Manager for Centerforce, San Rafael. I still work with Friends Outside, who contracts out of the Visitor's Center at San Quentin State Prison. We provide books, dictionaries (Spanish-English), and reading glasses to the jails through donation drives that we hold annually. Children's Events: Kids' Days! We love these days- so fun to volunteer and be a part of a positive event INSIDE the jail with families and children- Fun activities, crafts, and treats for children visiting their incarcerated parents during holidays (X-mas, Halloween, V-Day). Fliers announcing these events are posted at the Farm and at Blaine Street a few weeks ahead, so prisoners can inform their families on visiting day about the event (during the winter holiday season, we work with Toys for Tots gathering gifts for children with an incarcerated parent.) Please DONATE! As a typical struggling non-profit, they need all the support they can get to continue doing amazing, hard, and incredibly important work in the community!!! FOR NOW, NOT FOREVER I woke up today in a cold cement cell, No one to hold me so I hold myself. As I lie there, all alone in my bed, I am numb to my surroundings, I am lost in my head. I dream, I think, I fantasize, I try not to hear my heart's little cries. There in my mind, I learn to sever, myself from reality, for now, not forever. -Incarcerated client Santa Cruz location, Contact: Heidi Canales/Talia Stoessel at 831-427-5078. ~ scFriendsOutside@hotmail.com ~ fovolunteer@gmail.com Friends Outside in Santa Clara County: 551 Stockton Avenue San Jose, CA 95126 Phone: (408) 295-6033 , Fax: (408) 295-2907

I interned at Friends Outside in 2004/2005 as a jail visitor. It was an amazing experience that I…read morewill never forget. FO is a great resource for people who are incarcerated and their families. This is one of those rare nonprofits that makes their money go a really long way by using it for the clients rather than paying a bunch of administrators. Even though I am a poor graduate student I make it a point to donate every year (even if it's only a little bit), and I would encourage you all to do the same!

The soup and pizza gave me the calories to sustain the day. Thanks for your altruism and good…read morefaith

The most amazing, caring, lovely, cheerful, warming (I could go on but I'll save you the reading…read moretime) people in the world! All the people here are volunteers, minus Richard who is the head of this and comes in every single work day. I'm a volunteer here as well, although I don't come regularly. What we do is prepare food - daily soup, salad, dessert, drink(s) - for the homeless of Santa Cruz. All the food is donated from restaurants/organizations such as Starbucks, Costco and many other places. We cook from 8:30 am to 11 am and serve food from 12 pm to 1 pm. Anyone is allowed to come eat! But you probably shouldn't come if you can purchase groceries and food on your own... :) Anyone can volunteer at any time. It's loads of fun and really makes you feel like you're a part of something bigger than just yourself (as cheesy as that sounds). Everyone there is so friendly! They are an religious organization, but no one there is pushing any teachings on you. We do say a prayer before serving food though. Great organization! Come by :) we are near downtown off River Street!

He helped me move my cancer to a place they could operate and healed one of my clients who had pain…read morefrom fybomalgia

I have been blessed to have attended the Dance of the Deer Gatherings/workshops for over 20 years,…read morewith Brant Secunda & Nico. Having the opportunity to participate in practices that help you to be the best person that you can be, your True Self, is wonderful and healing. During our time together, through different venues, we pray for our lives, for our families and for the larger community. This is a special time to make a meaningful difference & an opportunity for our own life. Having time to connect with nature is precious. Brant's sense of humor lifts your spirit and helps us to feel comfortable & welcomed. Nico explains the exercises in a comprehensive manner and in a way that makes it easy to relate to & to understand. I've been truly blessed by being a part of this sacred tradition, it has changed my life & I am sincerely grateful.

A cute little store inside the Howell Cowell Redwood State Park. You can't miss it because it's…read moreright before you start hiking on the loop. The restrooms are next to the store. It's staff by a couple of friendly ladies. I really liked this t-shirt but it was sold out in my size. The shop isn't all that big and carried the usual tourist stuff: books, toys, t-shorts and sweatshirt, post cards, jewelry. I did pay $8 for a bar of soap I've never seen before but it smelled very nice like the evergreen forest.

Mountain Parks raises money for the local parks. They work hard and do their work well. I…read moreappreciate the fun and hard work that goes into the Lobster Fest.

What may be just another ho-hum day at the beach to you is often the best day of their lives to…read moreothers. I don't know why exactly but I like helping special needs kids (sometimes, an adult or two). The smiles are all the reward one could ask for in giving up a little time to help make these young lives enjoy our great outdoors. And we're so lucky to live in Southern California with year-round beaches to play on. The Best Day Foundation (http://www.bestdayfoundation.org/) enables children with special needs to build confidence and self-esteem through safe, fun adventure activities that expand their potential and connect them with diverse populations in their community. Volunteers offer activities including surfing, bodyboarding, kayaking, outrigger canoeing, stand-up paddling and snow sports. I'm no skier so I stay on the shore. This organization cannot survive without donor support and volunteer staffing. All of their activities are provided at no cost to any parent, child or participating organization. They're unique in providing activities for children with special needs from 4 to 24 with any physical or developmental challenge including: Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, spinal cord injuries, cancer, sight or hearing impairments, and more. Not only does the Best Day Foundation make a difference in a child's life by giving them confidence to try new experiences, these programs also significantly impact the parents. "The look of freedom in his eyes is one I will remember forever..." Ian's mom, Rena. Parents can relax for a spell and know their loved ones are in good hands, or paws, as the case may be. Quite often at these special needs events, you might see a beautiful dog named Ricochet. He's a friendly girl (yes, Ricochet is a female) golden retriever and loves attention. Find her at http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCQQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.surfdogricochet.com%2FWho%2520is%2520Surf%2520Dog%2520Ricochet.htm&rct=j&q=surf%20dog%20ricochet&ei=N0WrTYe6O4fgiALUg6DvDA&usg=AFQjCNFKldzyApJGPasPj56RSTPHhGyNwg&cad=rja Do you know a child or group of children who might like to participate? Would you like to earn some priceless smiles? Contact them or learn more on the website. Ph. (800) 309-2815; info@bestdayfoundation.org

Some days you realize that all is in fact good in the world, and maybe you should get off your…read moreselfish narcissistic behind and give back a little. More often then not, when these days happen, I find myself up to my eye lids in saltwater, covered in neoprene trying to make it a Best Day for someone. Best Day Foundation is one of a handful of organizations which looks to encourage and celebrate the lives of children with special needs through action sports type activities. Not every parent is a born water woman or man, but that shouldn't mean that their child must go through life never to feel the incredible sensation of saltwater in their face and sand between their toes. Surfing, boogie boarding, kayaking... Best Day works to provide the best possible water mentors to make it the best day under the sun. You don't have to be a water person to volunteer. And I highly recommend it. It's the best thing you will ever do with a few hours of your time, I promise. If your child has special needs, please sign them up. I would love to see more happy smiling faces at the next Best Day!

We love The Circle! The classes for kids are so fun. The classes and groups for parents are so…read morehelpful. The staff is literally the best. I found a village at the circle that I am forever grateful for.

Allison (mother of two littles there) teaches a toddlers class and a moms class called Bump, Baby,…read moreand Beyond Monday evenings. She subs the yoga right after and makes Mondays at The Circle so amazing for families in the area. Or anywhere if they want to travel to Seacliff for the classes (they should- totally worth it and open to non-members).