SF Peninsula - Christie's Sereno 1% For Good Community Impact Recipients

10 Books A Home

The mission of 10 Books A Home is to cultivate the intrinsic learning motivations of high-poverty preschoolers with the aim that all children served enter kindergarten ready to learn and perform above grade level in elementary school and beyond. Volunteer tutors provide one-on-one at-home lessons every week for up to two years. Parents participate during each lesson and work with their children between lessons.

Early childhood education experts have shown that focusing on kindergarten-readiness has many advantages over waiting to intervene until late elementary or middle school years. 10 Books A Home helps translate this research into practice and has four years of data for its four cohorts of graduates. All four groups have performed either at or above grade level in kindergarten through third grade. This is in sharp contrast to their peers in the school district, 81% of whom are performing below grade level.

We currently serve 180 families in East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park and will open our East San Jose site in 2019.

Support us and learn more at 10BooksAHome.org.

Abilities United

Imagine a world where people of all abilities, live, learn, work and play together. Abilities United ensures that people with developmental and physical disabilities have rights, resources, and opportunities to fully participate in community life. We champion community values of dignity and respect for people, of all abilities, and envision a society where everyone is included and appreciated for their distinctive contributions.

Since 1963, over 65,000 individuals and their families in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties have bene ted from our lifetime of comprehensive education, social, therapeutic, vocational, and support services. As advocates for the rights of people with developmental and physical disabilities — Abilities United makes decisions with them, not for them.

Just like you, people with developmental disabilities need a place they call home; loving and caring relationships; useful, relevant skills; employment; and opportunities to learn, grow, and change. Abilities United is committed to ensuring that these opportunities are made available at each stage of life.

For more information about their work or how you can get involved, please visit AbilitiesUnited.org.

Ada's Cafe

Ada’s Cafe is a 501(c)(3), social enterprise dedicated to hiring, training and employing adults with developmental disabilities in its food service businesses. Through its cafe at the Mitchell Park Community Center and a catering business that operates out of a commercial kitchen in Mountain View, Ada’s goal is to empower its Associates and employ them in a manner that accommodates their disability yet challenges them every day to expand their skill set. Ada’s also integrates high school interns and at-risk young adults into its daily cafe and catering operations.

Learn more about Ada's Cafe at adascafe.org.

Adolescent Counseling Services

Founded in 1975, ACS operates four core programs in Santa Clara and San Mateo County to ensure all youth are emotionally healthy, and empowered with tools and knowledge to face life’s challenges.

Learn more about Adolescent Counseling Services at acs-teens.org.

Alearn

ALearn delivers high quality Math and College Readiness programs to low income, underserved students in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Their summer and after-school programs for middle and high school youth increase their college eligibility and aspirations, significantly raising their college-going rates.

ALearn’s programs boost students’ critical math skills in pre-algebra, algebra, geometry and Common Core Math while providing study skills and tools that build a mindset of motivation and perseverance. College planning, information and field trips arm students with the knowledge and confidence that they need to get admitted to and succeed at college and beyond.

Since 2007, ALearn has helped over 8,000 youth get on a path to stronger academic achievement and college admission. In 2016, ALearn’s programs will serve over 1,500 students.

To learn more or find out how you can get involved, please visit alearn.org or call (408) 260-7545.

All Students Matter

All Students Matter volunteers believe that all children deserve an equal chance to learn. Since 2008 we’ve provided trained volunteers to work in the same K-4 classrooms every week for the entire school year in east Menlo Park and East Palo Alto schools. Our volunteers bring much needed consistent, reliable and customized support to meet the academic challenges of the students and the goals of the district. This year, we have over 200 volunteers serving 1600 students every week.

For more information about our work, or how to get involved, please visit allstudentsmatter.org.

Angels On Stage

Angels on Stage (AoS) is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of children and young adults with special needs by breaking down stereotypes and empowering them to develop friendships, independence, confidence, self-esteem, and general life skills through the medium of professional performing arts. A highly adaptive and committed staff of special education and theater professionals design and deliver workshops and performances to ensure optimum growth and appropriate levels of support for each participant. While AoS uses theater as a medium for rich social interaction and personal development, the primary emphasis is not on artistic production itself, but rather on the process, growth and relationships that happen in the creation of theatre arts. Every Angel is a star and every role, onstage or off, makes the AoS experience special.

For more information about their work or how you can get involved, please visit angelsonstage.org.

Animal Assisted Happiness

Animal Assisted Happiness (AAH) enriches the lives of children and their families experiencing special needs, health or family challenges. As a non-profit organization, we provide barnyard friends to bring moments of happiness and smiles into their day. Our vision is a "Million Smiles."

Our programs include: AAH Mobile Barnyard Visits to 80 schools/hospitals/programs for kids with needs throughout the Silicon Valley; AAH Smile Farm private visits for kids with need and their families; AAH Smile Farm Field Trips for schools/classrooms for kids with need; AAH Vocation Education Programs at the AAH Smile Farm; and a robust Youth Volunteer Program for 6th - 12th graders to build empathy and compassion through animals for those with need.

If you would like to volunteer; donate or learn more about Animal Assisted Happiness please visit animalassistedhappiness.org.

Art in Action

The Art in Action Program provides a high quality, comprehensive K–8 visual arts curriculum. Students learn about works of art from cultures around the world, how to look at art using art vocabulary and concepts, and how to express themselves by creating their own unique masterpieces.

Learn more about Art in Action at www.artinaction.org.

Aspire

The need for mental health services for Silicon Valley youth and young adults experiencing depression, anxiety or other symptoms of a mental health condition became shockingly clear after the 2009 cluster of teen suicides in Palo Alto. El Camino Hospital responded with ASPIRE (After-School Program Interventions and Resiliency Education), a pioneering intensive outpatient therapy program that teaches mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional regulation - skills needed for managing the crises that inevitably occur throughout life. ASPIRE’s initial launch was made possible by charitable gifts. Community donations to El Camino Hospital Foundation have since fueled its expansion from one track for high school students to five different programs in two locations, serving youth and young adults ages 11 to 25. They enable El Camino Hospital to treat patients without regard to financial circumstance and to provide services above and beyond the norm, including free assessments, training for parents, and follow-up care. The ASPIRE endowment ensures El Camino Hospital will be able to respond to the mental health needs of our community’s children now and in the future.

To learn how you can donate or get involved with El Camino Hospital’s unique and innovative mental health and addiction services, go to elcaminohospital.org/foundation.

Avenidas

Avenidas is a non-profit agency that provides tools for positive aging for people 50+ on the mid-Peninsula. Avenidas runs a center in Palo Alto where people can learn a language, attend a lecture, get a u shot or take an exercise class. They can also join Avenidas Village, an aging-in-place membership program which offers concierge-level service on a 24/7 basis. Avenidas also offers transportation assistance, counseling sessions, handyman services and volunteering opportunities. For frailer adults who might have a physical or cognitive impairment, the Avenidas Rose Kleiner Center in Mountain View offers two levels of daytime care, including a nutritious lunch and a variety of therapies.

Avenidas has been providing these services, along with support, information and community, to enrich the lives of older adults and their families since 1969.

Currently, Avenidas is in the middle of a fundraising campaign to expand its downtown Palo Alto center. They are seeking community support for this exciting project to create a state-of-the-art center for area seniors.

For more information about how you could help, please visit avenidas.org.

Bay Area Cancer Connections

BAY AREA CANCER CONNECTIONS (BACC) is the region’s largest support network serving those affected by breast or ovarian cancer. The agency informs and empowers individuals through free, highly personalized services.

Learn more about Bay Area Cancer Connections at bayareacancer.org.

Bay Area Furniture Bank

Bay Area Furniture Bank collects and recycles gently used furniture and provides it to individuals and families moving out of homelessness as well as countless others desperately trying to make ends meet.

The mission of BAFB is to help rebuild the lives of families who have suffered personal tragedy or disaster by making the Bay Area a place where all families are able to live in furnished homes. By doing so, we will help relieve suffering, improve quality of life, strengthen the family unit and build a better community.

Learn more about Bay Area Furniture Bank at bayareafurniturebank.org.

Beechwood

Beechwood is an independent, private school for students in Kindergarten Prep through eighth grade. Beechwood serves 169 students from 130 families from East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park.

Beechwood’s rigorous academic curriculum of language arts, social studies, math, and science is enriched by music, drama, art, Spanish, physical and outdoor education, field trips, technology and service learning.

Beechwood offers its young learners a safe, nurturing environment that addresses the academic and social needs of each child. We believe that all our students have within them the power to succeed. Our mission is to teach students to take personal responsibility to:

- Find their strength and build upon it.
- Prepare to establish strong families.
- Serve in their communities.
- Make healthy choices for body and mind.

Please visit beechwoodschool.org for more information.

Bring Me A Book

Compared to their peers, underserved children face a 30 million word gap as early as kindergarten. Bring Me A Book’s mission is to strengthen the language and literacy skills of those underserved children through read-aloud programs, the creation of children’s book libraries in classrooms, and book lending programs so children can access high-quality books at home.

Bring Me A Book’s programs also provide workshops that teach parents about the benefits of reading aloud to their children, creating sustainable in-home support of their children’s literacy.

Learn more about Bring Me A Book at bringmeabook.org.

Canine Companions for Independence®

Founded in 1975, Canine Companions for Independence® is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships.

For more information, please visit cci.org.

Canopy

Through engagement, education, stewardship, and advocacy, CANOPY is planting community trees so every Mid-peninsula resident can play and thrive under the shade of a healthy urban forest.

Learn more about Canopy at canopy.org.

Carb DM

Carb DM’s mission is to build a supportive community that improves the quality of life and health of all those affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D). The Carb DM community fosters connections among people with diabetes, their loved ones, and medical professionals, promotes learning, and develops strategies for thriving with type 1 diabetes.

Often diagnosed in children, but also diagnosed in adults, the management of type 1 diabetes requires a round the clock balancing of carbohydrates, exercise, and insulin dosing, and many other factors that affect blood sugar levels, 24/7/365 days a year. Carb DM aims to ease the burden of type 1 diabetes by bringing children, teens, adults, and their loved ones together, face-to-face, to help normalize the experience of living with type 1 diabetes, sharing tips and advice, providing ongoing support and access to high-quality education.

For more information on how Carb DM improves the lives of people with type 1 diabetes go to carbdm.org.

 

CHAC (Community Health Awareness Council)

CHAC offers many different kinds of mental health services and psychotherapy for children, adolescents, adults, older adults, and couples as well as psychological assessment services for children, adolescents, and adults. All of their services are provided by CHAC masters and doctoral clinicians in training, supervised by licensed mental health clinicians.

Learn more about CHAC at www.chacmv.org.

 

Children’s Health Council (CHC)

Children’s Health Council (CHC) is a renowned nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive and integrated care for youth mental health and learning differences. CHC’s team of skilled professionals, including psychologists, therapists, medical experts, and educators offer expert assessments, individualized therapy, specialized education programs and evidence-based interventions that support the whole child and promote mental health and well-being. For 70+ years CHC has played a vital role in ensuring that every child, teen and young adult has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

Learn more about Children’s Health Council (CHC) at chconline.org.

Covia - Healthy Connections

Covia promotes positive aging by cultivating healthy and engaged communities with a continuum of innovative services that actively support intellectual, physical, emotional, spiritual and social well-being. Covia supports the unique needs of seniors with the following programs: Life Plan Communities, affordable housing communities, and engagement programs.

The aim of the Healthy Connections Pre-Medical Student Volunteer Program at Webster House Health Center, located one mile from Stanford University, is to enhance the quality of life for older adults who suffer from serious illnesses. This program provides a caring and reliable relationship between a senior resident and an undergraduate student who is interested in a career in medicine.

Learn more about Healthy Connections Pre-Medical Student Volunteer Program at covia.org or contact Patricia Lau, MPA at plau@covia.org.

 

Community Services Agency

For 60 years, Community Services Agency has been providing vital social services for residents of Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. We understand that hardship can come at any time and knows no age limit. We provide a safety net so independence and self-sufficiency can be restored and maintained. Our clients may be a young, working poor family or an elderly person looking for supportive services to remain in their own home.

Learn more about Community Services Agency at csacares.org.

Community Services Agency

CSA has been the community’s social service safety-net for over 57 years. They provide critical support services for low-income individuals, families and seniors in our community who are on the verge or already homeless. One out of 25 people in Northern Santa Clara County are assisted with CSA case management and/or food supplements.

CSA is particularly invested in the well-being of the children in our client families. Every August they host a Back-to-School backpack, school supplies and shoe voucher distribution day for over 900 children. If you are a parent, you know keeping kids in the right shoes is neither easy nor cheap.

Sereno is proud to support the commitment and service that CSA provides to our community.

For more information about their program or how you can get involved, please visit csacares.org.

Community Services Agency of Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills

Community Services Agency (CSA) has been providing vital social services for residents of Mountain View, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills since 1957. They understand that hardship can come at any time and knows no age limit. They provide a safety net so that independence and self-sufficiency can be restored and maintained.

Learn more about Community Services Agency of Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills at CSACares.org.

DreamCatchers, Inc.

DreamCatchers, Inc. is leveraging the best of Palo Alto to help low-income middle school students thrive. Each student is paired with a personal tutor for the school year, allowing them to develop a close mentoring relationship. Tutors serve as role models and expose students to opportunities beyond middle school.

Learn more about DreamCatchers, Inc. at dreamcatchersyouth.org.

Each Green Corner

Each Green Corner is dedicated to fostering a greener, healthier future by creating and maintaining gardens that serve both people and the environment. Through partnerships and collaborations, Each Green Corner brings life to unused spaces, turning them into vibrant gardens that provide fresh produce for those in need. Their mission encompasses community engagement, education, and environmental stewardship, making a profound impact on local neighborhoods and the planet.

Learn more about Each Green Corner at eachgreencorner.org.

East Palo Alto Kids Foundation (EPAK)

EAST PALO ALTO KIDS FOUNDATION (EPAK) is a community-based, all-volunteer organization that promotes educational opportunities and academic success for students in East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park by providing micro grants directly to teachers so they can create a quality learning environment for their students and lessen the disparities that exist with neighboring school districts.

Learn more about East Palo Alto Kids Foundation at epak.org.

East Palo Alto Senior Center

Since 1990, East Palo Alto Seniors Center has provided services and activities for the seniors of East Palo Alto to foster independence, dignity, and enhance quality of life.

Learn more about them at epasci.org.

Fisher House

Fisher House Foundation operates a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. The goal at Fisher House is to provide free, high quality, temporary lodging to families of Veterans and active duty service members who are undergoing inpatient treatment in conjunction with Veterans Health Administration. The Palo Alto Fisher House has 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $320 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.

To learn more or find out how you can get involved, please visit fisherhouse.org.

Fit Kids

The Fit Kids Foundation is dedicated to promoting a healthy active lifestyle among children in underserved communities by providing high quality youth fitness programs and nutrition tips.

Fit Kids' #1 goal is to teach kids that fitness is fun! By inspiring children at an early age to enjoy exercise, Fit Kids encourages young children to avoid sedentary lifestyles and gives them the skills and confidence to join in physical activity and sports. When kids are active, they are at lower risk for life-long health problems and are more successful in school.

Since 2011, Fit Kids has provided free physical activity opportunities to more than 3,000 at-risk children, grades K-2 in East Palo Alto and surrounding neighborhoods. Fit Kids partners with schools and youth organizations to provide coaching, fitness equipment and an age-appropriate curriculum designed to inspire children to develop critical movement skills, increase their awareness of daily nutrition and build self-confidence, resiliency and life-skills.

For more information about their work or how you can get involved, please visit fitkids.org.

Fresh Approach

Fresh Approach is creating long-term change in local food systems, by connecting California communities with healthy food from California farmers and expanding knowledge about food and nutrition.

Learn more about Fresh Approach at freshapproach.org.

Friends of American Veterans

Foothill College is committed to ensuring that veterans of all abilities have an opportunity to achieve their academic and career goals. This includes adequate access to courses, instructional equipment, counseling, tutoring and other critical student support services. Combined with strong academics, a comprehensive suite of student support services is available to help veterans achieve their academic and career goals.

Sereno Group has proudly teamed up with the Foothill College Veterans Resource Center and the Friends of American Veterans, which is spearheaded by the Los Altos Rotary Club, to fund multiple annual scholarships for returning military men and women.

Learn more about veteran students at foothill.edu/vet.

Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo

Each year, 150,000 visitors enjoy awe-inspiring exhibits and are fascinated by the intimacy of the animal habitat at the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo (JMZ). Their science educators serve more than 10,000 students in the Palo Alto and Ravenswood School Districts through classroom programs, science camps and field trips to the JMZ. This valuable asset offers science programs, classes and camp experiences for families, schools and community groups.

Learn more about Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo at friendsjmz.org.

Hidden Villa & Friends of Deer Hollow Farm

Our future needs thoughtful, compassionate and creative stewards. Today’s children are tomorrow’s decision makers and their desire to care for our natural spaces and community is strongly linked to time spent outdoors as youth and the guidance of a mentor teaching respect for our environment.

Hidden Villa is a nonprofit educational organization in Los Altos Hills that uses its organic farm, animals, gardens and wilderness to teach about the environment and social justice. Their mission is to inspire a just and sustainable future through their programs, land and legacy. Each year, they provide 35,000 youth with hands-on educational experiences in their living laboratory through school field trips, summer camps, and public programs. This is accomplished with strong community support from donors who help Hidden Villa provide $550,000 a year in scholarship and partnership support.

Learn more about Hidden Villa at hiddenvilla.org.

Hope's Corner

HOPE’S CORNER provides homeless and vulnerable individuals from Mountain View and surrounding communities with healthy meals, hot showers, and connections to other services in a dignified and welcoming environment. Our services enhance our guests’ quality of life, show them that they are valued, and give them hope for a better future.

Learn more about Hope's Corner at hopes-corner.org

JustREAD

JustREAD is a community of volunteers who believe that all students deserve the support they need in order to develop their academic skills and pursue their dreams.

JustREAD and JustMATH volunteers work with under-resourced students who are performing below grade level. We promote a love of learning and focus on strengthening basic literacy and math skills in order to accelerate student progress and build self-confidence.

Since 2005, we have provided over 32,000 tutoring sessions to elementary, middle and high school students in Mountain View, CA. Our programs provide individualized, structured support to students on campus during the school day.

To learn more about JustREAD and JustMATH programs and how you can support our students, please visit justreadcenters.org.

Kara

Empathy. Compassion. Understanding. Patience. Trust. Care. Mindfulness.

Kara's mission is to provide grief support for children, teens, families and adults. Every day Kara's aim is to provide compassion and care to those navigating grief and loss.

Through individual and group peer support, crisis intervention, training, therapy and community events, Kara provides grief support to thousands in our community annually. Their services are provided by hundreds of trained volunteers with experience in the healing process from personal loss.

At Kara, they recognize both the universality and the uniqueness of each person's processing and experience of grief. They encourage those they serve to draw strength from their own spiritual beliefs, culture, family, friends, and other resources.

Through compassionate grief support and training, Kara helps individuals experiencing loss find support, meaning and hope.

Sereno is proud to support the commitment and services Kara provides to our community. For more information about their work or how you can get involved, please visit kara-grief.org.

Karat School Project

Karat School Project provides skills-based education to children and women living in extreme poverty to help break the cycle of poverty and inequality sustainably now and for generations to come.

Learn more about Karat School Project at www.theksp.org.

Kidpower

Kidpower is a non-profit leader in teaching child protection, positive interaction and communication, and personal safety strategies and skills for children, teens, and adults, including those with special needs. Its mission is to help people of all ages, abilities, and walks of life learn how to stay safe, act wisely, and believe in themselves.

Kidpower’s fun, NON-fear-based “Successful Practice” method of teaching concepts and skills prepares our participants to use their own power (or teach the people in their care) to protect themselves from most (cyber) bullying, harassment, molestation, abduction and abuse, and other overt and insidious forms of violence, and empower them to develop strong and safe relationships that enrich their lives.

It gives people the chance to be successful in practicing ‘People Safety’ and ‘Social-Emotional Development’ skills — skills that improve the safety and quality of interactions with other people as well as help people to be safe themselves — in a context specific to their abilities and life situations, which reduces anxiety and builds competence.

To learn more about their program or how to get involved, please visit kidpower.org.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light The Night Walk funds treatments that are saving the lives of patients today. LLS is making cures happen by providing patient support services, advocacy for lifesaving treatments and the most promising cancer research anywhere.

The funds we raise will provide lifesaving cancer research, financial assistance to patients, educational materials and events, programs and support groups, advocacy for better treatments and healthcare reform, and assistance through the LLS Information Resource Center.

Light The Night Walk events are evenings filled with inspiration. During the walk, Champions For Cures carry illuminated balloons - white for survivors, red for supporters and gold in memory of loved ones lost to cancer. We will be joined by thousands of walkers - men, women and children nationwide - to form a community of caring, and bring light to the dark world of cancer.

Learn more and register at Iightthenight.org/gba.

Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen

The mission of Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen is to provide hot and prepared nutritious meals free of charge to hungry and homeless families, children, seniors, veterans, students, and disabled individuals. All are welcome, no questions asked.

Learn more about Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen at loavesfishes.org.

Los Altos Senior Center

Established in 1976, the Los Altos Senior Center offers a wide variety of programs and volunteer opportunities for active adults 50 years and up. Activities range from classes, trips, special events and travel, to in-home repair, Notary Service, resource center and referral services. The mission of the Center is to create a community that fosters safe, healthy, happy living – physically, mentally and emotionally – by providing resources, educational information and recreational programming.

Learn more about programs or how you can get involved at losaltosca.gov/seniors.

Magical Bridge

People with disabilities constitute the nation’s largest minority group. Over 10,000 individuals in Palo Alto have a disability and none of our public parks fully meet their needs.

Friends of the Magical Bridge, a project of Friends of the Palo Alto Parks non-profit organization, has secured land and designs for building the nation’s first fully inclusive public playground designed specifically for the disabled, right here in Palo Alto.

This innovative park will address the needs of not only the physically disabled, but those with cognitive and sensory disorders as well. We are proud to support this enriching and inclusive project that will bridge the gap between those with disabilities and those without, making it possible for all members of our community to play together.

Learn More about Friends of the Magical Bridge at magicalbridge.org

Magical Bridge Foundation

MAGICAL BRIDGE FOUNDATION is creating innovative and truly inclusive playgrounds where all children, families and community members feel welcome to come and play together, regardless of age, size or ability.

Learn More about the Magical Bridge Foundation at magicalbridge.org.

Mariano Castro Elementary

MARIANO CASTRO ELEMENTARY cultivates the power of community partnerships to deliver excellent learning programs and resources to its dynamic campus of students Kindergarten through Fifth grade. With over 13 languages spoken, this linguistically and culturally vibrant learning environment empowers parents and prepares students for personal and academic success in life.

Learn more about Mariano Castro Elementary at castro.mvwsd.org.

MayView Community Health Center, a member of Ravenswood Family Health Network

MayView Community Health Center, a member of Ravenswood Family Health Network, has made it their mission to improve the health of the community by providing culturally sensitive, integrated primary and preventative health care to all, regardless of ability to pay or immigration status, and collaborating with community partners to address the social determinants of health.

Learn more about them at ravenswoodfhn.org.

Mentor Tutor Connection

Mentor Tutor Connection (formerly Partners for New Generations) is a community-supported nonprofit organization that provides tutors and mentors to students in our Los Altos and Mountain View schools.

Each year, Mentor Tutor Connection places approximately 150 volunteers working directly with students. At the elementary and middle school level, volunteer tutors help with subjects such as reading, math, and science. At the high school level, students are paired 1-to-1 with a volunteer mentor with similar interests. Mentors are caring adults who meet regularly with their student to listen to them, share experiences and be a positive role model for them.

Originally founded in 1995 by the Los Altos Rotary Club, Mentor Tutor Connection has been in service to our community for over 17 years, faithfully supplying volunteer tutors and mentors to help our local kids succeed.

Learn more about Mentor Tutor Connection at mentortutorconnection.org

Mission Hospice & Home Care

Mission Hospice & Home Care serves patients and families in the San Mateo County and northern Santa Clara County areas with quality, compassionate end-of-life care and education. Founded in 1979, our local, independent nonprofit has provided thousands of patients and their families with physical, emotional, and spiritual support throughout the journey from a life-threatening diagnosis through death and bereavement.

Learn more about Mission Hospice & Home Care at missionhospice.org.

MVLA Scholars

MVLA Scholars helps local, high potential, low-income students achieve their dreams of earning college degrees and attaining professional positions.

Learn more about MVLA Scholars at mvlascholars.org.

My New Red Shoes

My New Red Shoes helps homeless and low-income children look and feel confident as they start the school year by providing them with new clothing and shoes and by rallying youth and adults around this effort through volunteer and educational opportunities for individuals, families, schools, corporations, and community groups.

Since 2006, My New Red Shoes has improved the self-confidence, educational experience and the quality of life of more than 35,000 impoverished children. In 2016, My New Red Shoes plans to serve 10,000 children in need.

For more information about their work or how you can get involved, please visit mynewredshoes.org.

New Creation Home

NEW CREATION HOME fosters long term independence for young at-risk mothers and their children by mobilizing the Bay Area to engage in quality programs designed to encourage academic, vocational, parental, and social growth.

Learn more about New Creation Home at newcreationhome.org

One Life Counseling Center

One Life Counseling Center in downtown San Carlos is a non-profit organization of skilled therapists and change agents who aim to inspire, educate, and provide accessible counseling for anyone who needs it.

To learn more about One Life Counseling center, please visit onelifecounselingcenter.com

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread is a community-supported food program located in Sunnyvale’s St. Thomas Episcopal Church. We serve hot, nutritious meals to everyone who comes to our doors, without qualification and in a safe and inviting environment. We have been doing this every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at lunchtime for 35 years, and we have never missed a meal.

On a typical day, we serve 275 diners including the homeless, aged, unemployed, disabled, and working poor. For many of them, ODB is their main source of nutrition. We serve a full meal – an entrée, a vegetable, a green salad, a fruit salad, a beverage, dessert, and of course bread. Most days we offer a second, but smaller, complete meal as well.

Learn more about Our Daily Bread at ourdailybread-sunnyvale.org.

Palo Alto Community Fund

Palo Alto Community Fund focuses on the unique needs of our community and channels charitable giving of local donors to effective organizations that improve the quality of life for everyone in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, and Menlo Park. With concentrated efforts on non-profits that enhance the quality of life in our local communities.

To learn more about Palo Alto Community Fund, please visit paloaltocommfund.org.

Paralyzed Veterans

The Bay Area & Western Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (BAWPVA) is dedicated to improving the quality of life and protecting the civil rights of Veterans with paralysis. They are committed to the duty of assisting paralyzed Veterans by advocating for unfettered access to the VA health care and barrier-free access to the community.

The Paralyzed Veterans’ Palo Alto facility offers a variety of inpatient and outpatient services, programs, as well as a welcoming environment for members to receive physical therapy and participate in group activities. As well, the BAWPVA sponsors members who wish to participate in sporting events such as the National Veterans Wheelchair Games.

The Paralyzed Veterans of America is supported solely by funding from grants and donations. We are honored to support this valuable program because it gives our well-deserving Veterans a chance to a full life in light of their service and sacrifice for our country.

Learn more about Paralyzed Veterans of America at pva.org.

Peninsula College Fund

The Peninsula College Fund (PCF) provides the tools for success in college and beyond to low-income first-generation college students. Their select local scholars receive college scholarships, one-to-one mentors, college success workshops, and internship support throughout their college careers. More than a scholarship, the Peninsula College Fund offers a comprehensive program for student success and college completion.

Since their inception in 2005, PCF has defied the odds: more than 95% of the scholars have graduated from college or currently attend college on the path to completion. Nationally, fewer than half of first generation college students complete four-year colleges in six years.

Sereno is proud to support the commitment and service that PCF provides the deserving students of our community.

For more information about programs or how you can get involved, please visit peninsulacollegefund.org.

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA

The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA is a dedicated animal welfare organization serving the San Francisco Peninsula area. Through their shelters, adoption centers, and various community programs, they provide a safe haven for animals in need, offering medical care, shelter, and a chance for a new life through adoption. Beyond their direct care for animals, the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA also plays a vital role in advocating for animal welfare policies and educating the public about the importance of treating animals with kindness and respect.

Learn more about Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA at phs-spca.org.

Peninsula Open Space Trust

Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) protects and cares for open space, farms and parkland in and around Silicon Valley.

If you’ve traveled Highway 1 on the San Mateo Coast, Highway 280 on the San Francisco Peninsula, or the winding roads and trails along Skyline Ridge, you’ve already experienced the stunning beauty of POST-protected lands. Since its founding in 1977, POST has been responsible for saving more than 70,000 acres as permanent open space and parkland, protecting the natural beauty and rich biodiversity that make our area such a wonderful place to live, work and play.

Learn more about Peninsula Open Space Trust at openspacetrust.org.

Peninsula Symphony

Established in 1949, the Peninsula Symphony is a professionally trained, 90-member, volunteer orchestra led by Music Director and Conductor Mitchell Sardou Klein.

The Bridges to Music educational outreach program ensures that all residents of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties can experience live orchestral music performances. The in-school educational program brings professional musicians and ensembles into elementary schools with little or no music curriculum in Redwood City, East Palo Alto, and Sunnyvale, and provides master classes and sectionals for middle and high school music students.

Bridges to Music also offers two annual youth competitions, free community concerts and distributes free ticket vouchers for subscription concerts to community organizations and family concert vouchers to students in schools served.

Learn more about Peninsula Symphony and Bridges to Music at peninsulasymphony.org.

Peninsula Volunteers, Inc.

ENRICHING LIVES AS WE AGE

As life expectancy lengthens, communities need to embrace opportunities and challenges to help aging adults maintain their dignity, independence and sense of usefulness. Peninsula Volunteers, Inc. (PVI) provides innovative services and housing to support seniors in the mid-Peninsula and Silicon Valley.

PVI operates four programs where aging adults are cared for, respected, and engaged as vital community members: Senior Affordable Housing, Little House Activity Center, Meals on Wheels, and Rosener House.

Focusing on an active mind and body, experienced in a social environment, allows aging adults to embrace aging with health and a sense of self-worth and self-sufficiency - improving their quality of life.

To learn more about PVI programs or volunteering with PVI, please visit penvol.org or call 650-326-0665.

Ravenswood Education Foundation

Imagine if all children, on both sides of Highway 101, received the same great education. The Ravenswood Education Foundation’s (REF) mission is to ensure equitable and high-quality educational opportunities for all students in the K-8 Ravenswood City School District in eastern Menlo Park and East Palo Alto.

Our approach is unique. We work side-by-side with Ravenswood leaders and bring together community partners, concerned citizens and over 600 volunteers to make a difference in the school day for every one of the district’s 3000 students and teachers. Since 2007, REF’s financial investment has ensured that Ravenswood schools now have art and music teachers, science labs and Makerspaces, mental health counselors, summer school, professional development and much more that provide students with consistent, equitable opportunities year after year.

Join us! Visit ravenswoodef.org.

Rebuilding Together Peninsula

Rebuilding Together Peninsula estimates there are approximately 94,000 low-income homeowners in San Mateo and Northern Santa Clara counties. Rebuilding Together Peninsula provides critical home repairs, modifications, and improvements for the area’s low income homeowners in need, such as seniors or people with disabilities, as well as families, so they can live independently in warmth and safety.

We are honored to partner with Rebuilding Together Peninsula because of the heartfelt and important work they do: lending a helping hand to improve the lives of homeowners who will receive the support and care they need and deserve from such a worthy and noble organization.

Learn more about Rebuilding Together Peninsula at rebuildingtogetherpeninsula.org.

Rise Together Education

Rise Together Education (RTE) is dedicated to improving college graduation rates by providing support and financial resources to low-income Palo Alto High School students who have been accepted to 4-year colleges or 2-year community colleges with a direct transfer agreement.

Learn more about Rise Together Education at risetogethered.org.

RotaCare Mountain View

RotaCare Clinic holds as its mission to provide free medical care in the Bay Area to those who have the greatest need and the least access.

RotaCare Bay Area is a volunteer alliance of medical professionals, organizations and community members dedicated to providing free primary, quality healthcare services to uninsured families and individuals with limited ability to pay for medical care. They are volunteer driven and supported solely through locally based philanthropy.

Learn more about RotaCare Mountain View at rotacarebayarea.org.

Samaritan House

Samaritan House is leading the fight against poverty in San Mateo County, taking a personal approach to creating stability, self-reliance, and success. Samaritan House provides help and hope, ceaselessly working to keep everyone in our community fed, clothed, healthy, and housed.

To learn more about Samaritan House, please visit samaritanhousesanmateo.org.

Silicon Valley Faces

Serving the Bay Area for nearly 50 years, Silicon Valley FACES is a non-profit organization building a community free of bias, bigotry and violence. They transform youth into positive community leaders by eliminating barriers of ethnicity, gender, and culture and provide services for victims of violent crime. In Fiscal Year 2014, they provided educational programs to over 2,930 students and served over 7,200 victims of violent crime. Sereno Group is proud to support the commitment and service that FACES provides to the youth of our community.

For more information about their program or how you can get involved, please visit svfaces.org.

Special Operations

Special Operations has made it their mission to stop sex trafficking of kids in the Bay Area by hiring private investigators and working closely with law enforcement, Federal agencies, and private safe homes as well as the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children. Their network allows them to proactively search for, rescue, and help special victims rebuild their lives.

Learn more about Special Operation at wesavegirls.org.

Sunnyvale Backpack Program

Every summer Sunnyvale Community Services gives away over 1,000 backpacks to lowincome Sunnyvale children headed to school. Brand new backpacks are stuffed with school supplies so that every child can get the school year off to a good start.

Founded in 1970, Sunnyvale Community Services is an independent, nonprofit emergency assistance agency. Their mission is to prevent homelessness and hunger for low-income families and seniors facing temporary crises. They provide financial aid, food, and other support that prevents larger problems with more expensive solutions.

They depend on generous donations by local businesses and individuals, as well as volunteer help. They leverage contributions with volunteer hours that enable them to provide more services with fewer paid staff members. We are proud to support this wonderful organization that directly assists so many families in our community.

Learn more about the program or how you can get involved at svcommunityservices.org/svcs-backpacks.

Sunnyvale Community Services

Sunnyvale Community Services works to ensure that residents are safely and stably housed with food on the table, and with access to medical care and services. SCS addresses immediate critical needs to help low-income families and seniors who are often one bill away from hunger and homelessness. The organization’s Board and staff work together to innovate and measure what works best to help low-income persons stabilize and move on to health and prosperity.

Learn more about Sunnyvale Community Services at SVCommunityServices.org.

Sunnyvale Community Services

Sunnyvale Community Services provides nutritious food, emergency financial assistance, case management, and other services to prevent homelessness and hunger in our community. The agency has been serving for more than 50 years, and last year served more than 10,318 people, including children, seniors, and home-bound individuals.

Learn more about Sunnyvale Community Services at SVCommunityServices.org.

Sunnyvale Education Foundation

Sunnyvale Education Foundation facilitates community support for an enriched, high quality education at all schools in the district. They support a wide variety of academic and enrichment initiatives across all district schools through corporate donations, community partnerships, fundraising events, and public outreach.

Learn more about them at sunnyvaleeducationfoundation.org.

Teen Success, Inc.

Teen Success, Inc. believes that every teen mother deserves the opportunity to be successful. Through educational support, life and parenting skills development, reproductive health education, and early literacy for their children, Teen Success is creating meaningful opportunities for young mothers and their families.

For more information, please visit teensuccess.org.

The Beat Within

THE BEAT WITHIN gives a voice to the voiceless and compels empathy for the growing population of incarcerated youth. Their mission encourages literacy, self-expression, and critical thinking skills to support a non-violent, productive life.

TBW serves over 7500 youth annually through workshops operated across California county juvenile halls.

Learn more about The Beat Within at thebeatwithin.org.

The Fit Kids Foundation

The Fit Kids Foundation fixes a fitness opportunity gap by providing structured fitness programs for youth, primarily in underserved communities, at no cost to the host schools and community organizations or their participating families.

Learn more about them at fitkids.org.

There With Care of the Bay Area

There With Care of the Bay Area provides a wide range of fundamental and meaningful services to families with children facing critical illness. It’s simple. Following a referral from Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, they connect with the family and identify ways to provide much needed relief. It may be groceries or a hot meal, gas assistance or transportation to treatments; it may be blankets or diapers, cleaning a home or babysitting siblings. There With Care does whatever it takes to allow parents time to focus on what is most important - their family.

Learn more about There With Care of the Bay Area at bayarea.therewithcare.org.

The Sunbeam Foundation

The Sunbeam Foundation identifies and supports cutting-edge research aimed at finding a cure for Ewing’s Sarcoma and other forms of pediatric bone cancer. Nearly 100% of dollars raised goes directly to research.

Inspired by the memory of Sara LaBoskey, who succumbed to Ewing’s Sarcoma at the age of 21, the Sunbeam Foundation was founded by her brother, Jeff LaBoskey and Sara’s best friend, Brad Wolfe.

The Sunbeam Scholar is a grant created to support top young physicians to research this underfunded and rare form of cancer. The Sunbeam Foundation has a goal to raise $50,000 to support next year’s Sunbeam Scholar grant recipient.

Learn more about how you can get involved at sunbeamfoundation.org.

Theuerkauf Elementary Tech Carts

Sereno is proud to provide funds to Theuerkauf Elementary School in Mountain View for the purchase of a “Technology Cart.” A Technology Cart provides an entire classroom with access to supportive learning software programs loaded on Google Chromebooks, Nexus Tablets and/or Apple iPads that enhance or supplement teacher lesson plans. Making technology more readily available to the students and teachers of Theuerkauf Elementary School will provide opportunities to academically challenge and support all students whether they be gifted/talented, second language learners or students of poverty who are struggling with their learning. The use of technology in the classroom holds promise for leveling the playing field and ensuring equity in educational opportunity for all students in all schools.

For more info about the school and its programs, please visit theuerkauf.mvwsd.org.

Westwind 4-H Riding for the Handicapped

The Westwind 4-H riding program provides horseback riding lessons to children with physical disabilities ranging from 5 to 19 years old. Their program helps children build confidence, develop balance and coordination, and have freedom of mobility not usually available to the handicapped.

Sereno Group has proudly teamed up with the Westwind 4-H Riding for the Handicapped to fund and provide support in their services to the youth of our community.

Learn more about the Westwind 4-H Riding program at westwind4h.org.

Youth Community Service

A number of our young people here in the mid-peninsula lack the sense of connectedness and direction they need to thrive. To meet their needs, Youth Community Service (YCS) engages more than 1,200 middle and high school students each year in meaningful service-based learning. Through life skills classes and leadership programs, participating youth gain a sense of purpose and confidence in their ability to positively impact the lives of others in their community.

Engaged by their new sense of interwoven destinies, these young people are well on their way to becoming tomorrow's informed, collaborative and compassionate leaders. Across diverse communities, students in Youth Community Service programs use their hearts, heads and hands to answer the question, "Who is My Neighbor?" Sereno is very proud to support these young people as - together -they discover the power of service to others.

For more information about programs or how you can get involved, please visit youthcommunityservice.org.