“Thank you all for an incredibly successful 7th Annual Books ‘n Brunch! Here are some facts:

1. We packed, sorted, and gave away 13,000 books
2. Our community was so great on collecting books, we still have at least another 5000 unsorted books
3. That’s 18,000 books! We’ve exceeded our goal by 8000 books
4. We’ve gifted hundreds of books to 48 different schools, nonprofits, & more (we’re still counting)
5. Over 250 people came out to help us pack, sort, and give away books!
6. Countless people came by to donate books for several weeks!

Of course this event was made possible by our awesome sponsors Steffen Liposky & Jenna Cooper, our generous, book-loving community, and everyone who came out to help us!”

Click here to learn more about Big Sunday. 

“We are honored that our founder of ASOH was asked to speak on the main stage of the Spartan World Championships in Lake Tahoe. Inspirational speaker and NY Times best selling author — Joe De Sena, founder and CEO of the Spartan Race, is considered to have created the number one team building experience in the world — and yet Joe thinks ASOH is so powerful and important that all ASOH volunteers get free Spartan corporate team building tix. We are so excited to partner with Spartan to explore how we can find more ways to reveal the best of the human spirt”

Click here to learn more about A Sense of Home.

“We help low-resourced, high-potential first generation students get in, stay in, and graduate from a four-year college. We do this by providing academic support, mentoring, and exposure to a broader world.

Since 1994, OJS has provided the comprehensive resources and mentoring needed to enable youth in underserved communities to reach their full potential through a college education. Our organization has an established and successful track record of success in providing access to higher education for low-income students – a demographic group significantly underrepresented on four-year college campuses locally, throughout California, and across our nation. OJS serves between 250-350 youth annually – all Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) students, ranging from 13 to 23 years old.

What we do: Not every community has the same resources, the same opportunities, the same support. OJS reaches out to Long Beach’s underserved communities to create awareness of higher education opportunities and help interested youth achieve their educational goals. We work with first-­generation, college-­bound youth from low-­income households in Long Beach.

How we do it: Our mentoring program offers each OJS student an incredible five years of extensive and involved support. Beginning in 8th grade, OJS students get a super‐charged team of mentors, tutors, and counselors to provide them with the resources they need to graduate from high school, get into and graduate from a four-year college, and get a ‘jumpstart’ on a productive and rewarding path forward.

Who we are: Our staff, board and volunteers are a diverse group of individuals who come together to mentor, provide financial support, teach, and volunteer to help Long Beach’s underserved youth. We believe everyone – regardless of their circumstances – deserves the resources and support needed to succeed in college.

…and more importantly,

Why: At OJS, we share a collective vision that all students in our community have equal access to college success.

Yes, any! All students deserve access to a college education regardless of socio-economic status. We strive for a day where any Long Beach student will have equal access to a college education.”

Click here to learn more about Operation Jump Start. 

Their MISSION is to provide spaces within our communities for the LGBT+ population to
Learn, Grow, Belong, Transform, Question + Support.
 
Their VISION is to cultivate new resources through advocacy, partnerships and fundraising
to unite and advance the LGBT+ community in Tulare & Kings Counties.

Learn more about The Source here. 

“Over the summer, Leader of Tomorrow, Junely, spoke at the National Child Welfare Law Center Conference along with Children’s Law Center of California Attorney and Policy Associate, Luciana Svidler and National Center for Youth Law’s Rebecca Gudeman. The conference focused on the inequalities with regard to child welfare laws and ways to advocate for this community. Way to go, Junely!”

Click here to learn more about Echoes of Hope.

“We are thankful for this team from VSP Vision Care who spent their morning yesterday at Yolo Food Bank‘s weekly table distribution in West Sacramento! Thank you, VSP and YFB for providing food to those in need 💛“

Volunteering for an organization is a great way to help share the love Dr. Leo Buscaglia talked about so often. Team Giving is a great source to find many places to volunteer your time. 

“The Los Angeles Youth Orchestra contributes to our communities and advances the future of culture by developing and nurturing a passion for music in young musicians that lasts a lifetime through the study and performance of classical and contemporary music.

In 2010, the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra spearheaded the idea of a Youth Orchestra Day and coordinated the event with three other youth orchestras: the Pasadena Young Musicians Orchestra led by Jo Stoup, the Olympia Youth Orchestra conducted by Fung Ho, and the Verdugo Youth Orchestra conducted by Samvel Chilingarian. The concert with four youth orchestras was held February 28, 2010 at Pasadena City College.

Each orchestra played a short selection of works. In between each orchestra performance were panels to discuss different dimensions of youth orchestras – a panel of conductors, a panel of students, and a panel of coaches. The grand finale of the concert was the world premiere performance of Russell Steinberg’s The Net of Indra with all four orchestras (about 350 players) – brass in the upper balcony, violins and violas up and down the aisles in the audience, woodwinds in the pit, and percussion, cellos, and double basses on stage. Both the Los Angeles City Council and the Pasadena City Council issued proclamations declaring February 28, 2010 “Youth Orchestra Day.”

“We had a great time making sack lunches for Homeless Health Care Los Angeles! This incredible shelter helps upwards of 700 homeless people a day. They provide showers, laundry, and many more supportive services. Join us Monday, 2 PM, for another great opportunity to help others” 

“Patrick really articulates the vital importance of ASOH.”

Click here to learn more about A Sense of Home.