“Established in 1993, the Save Our Youth (SOY) Center was founded through the hard work and steadfast vision of parents on the Westside of Costa Mesa who believed their teenagers needed an alternative to gangs and the temptation of the streets. As a non-profit agency serving low-income youth to provide a worthwhile option to an at-risk lifestyle, SOY provides a challenging and healthy environment where teens receive mentoring, tutoring, and college preparedness. This includes visits to college campuses throughout California where they are often given a tour by SOY graduates attending the college visited.

At SOY the students reduce stress and anxiety or just enjoy working out in our fully equipped physical fitness program; gain knowledge and love of nature through monthly wilderness hikes, even to the top of Mt. Whitney; participate in sports teams; add to their cultural awareness by visits to museums, lectures, plays, and learn the value of volunteer community service through projects such as “clean the bay”.

SOY students also develop and exhibit their talents through dance, art and music with classes, workshops and presentations, including talent shows, dance performances and community events. Over 200 SOY members have gone on to colleges and universities across our state and nation. Many SOY alums come back and volunteer as tutors, coaches, and event assistants.

SOY serves the students of the intermediate and high schools of the Newport Mesa Unified School District, including those at TeWinkle, Ensign, Costa Mesa Intermediate School and Estancia, Costa Mesa and Newport Harbor High School.”

OPICA Adult Day Program and Counseling Center received a grant to support their Volunteer Internship program including staffing expenses associated with volunteer recruitment, training, supervising and retention as well as activities associated with connecting volunteers to in-need seniors with memory impairment.  The program assists families in delaying institutionalized care for their loved ones.  OPICA’s mission is to enable adults impaired by dementia to continue to live at home by 1.) providing compassionate and stimulating day programs, 2.) supporting family caregivers through counseling and respite and 3.) increasing community understanding of memory disorders through education, resource referral and professional training.  They currently serve 120-170 people.

Click here to learn more about OPICA Adult Day Program and Counseling Center. 

Our families live in our shelters for approximately 3-6 months. During that time, our goal is to provide them with the skills needed to live on their own. One of the skills we teach them is to budget and save, as this is necessary for financial stability. After our clients gain employment, they are required to save a portion of their paychecks to be used for future necessities.

Follow-up Services & Case Management

After a family moves into their own housing they begin the next phase of LAHR’s services by becoming part of our unique After Care Program. This program provides follow-up services and case management to help the families transition to a stable and secure life, including assistance with securing mental health support close to their new housing.

We track the progress of our clients intensely, with monthly contact, for however long is needed. We will assist the family to resolve any unmet goals with continued support.

LAHR keeps up to date on information such as:

• How are they maintaining their living space?
• Are they current on bills?
• Are they participating in continued education and/or job training?
• Are there mental health needs?
• How are the children doing in school?
• How is their relationship with their landlord and other tenants?

“Women to Women” Program

LAHR operates a program called “Women to Women.” This program invites past residents to return monthly for support and friendship while sharing a casual meal. This monthly event is an excellent time for volunteers to share their expertise with our clients.

Our monthly “Women to Women” themes include:

• outside presentations on relevant topics such as disease transmission
• trauma treatment
• childcare and parenting support
• art and craft activities
• women’s needs of support

When the funds are available this group has taken short trips for rest and relaxation, which is nearly unheard of for poor women and children.

“Shout-out to our amazing Program Director @elizahsiegel for joining the 2022 AARP Foundation #ExperienceCorps National Meeting panel where she shared her experience as an AmeriCorps VISTA leading to her current role with Parentis Foundation. #dreambig #volunteersmakeadifference #vistaservice”

Click here to learn more about Parentis Foundation.

“One of the best parts of Jubilee Year is getting to collaborate with some absolutely amazing non-profits. This week we had site visits at Neighborhood Youth Association, an after school program focused on student empowerment, enrichment, and college readiness – and Open Temple, a dynamic, creative, emerging Jewish community that seeks to foster a sense of openness and connection to transform the world!

We’re so blessed to have such amazing partners!”

Learn about of the Echoes of Hope programs. These programs are what funds from the Leo Buscaglia Foundation help support.

The EOH Youth program offers resources for current and former foster youth, low-income, and at-risk youth, between the ages of 13-30. 

Services support youth at colleges, universities, and nonprofits throughout the country. 

Some of the younger youth qualify for the Rising Stars Club. 

Resources for EOH Youth include, but are not limited to: 

·      Housing assistance

·      Grocery store gift card and/or food vouchers

·      Transportation (i.e. bus and gift cards)

·      Uniforms

·      Fees relating to school (i.e. commitment fees, graduation fees, testing fees, etc.)

·      Backpack/Toiletry drive

·      Extracurricular (i.e. dance and voice lessons, sports equipment, etc.)

Qualifications: 

·      Actively enrolled in school  

·      Must be low-income, at-risk, and/or former foster youth

Click here to learn more about other 2020 recipients.

Margaret Atwood’s Beauty Bus story began when her husband was ill and their daughter, Ashley, was his caregiver. Margaret had learned about Beauty Bus and thought her daughter could benefit from a Home Visit. Little did Margaret know that she would carry on her husband’s legacy through her own volunteer work with Beauty Bus.

As a licensed cosmetologist, Margaret’s husband Gilbert, was impressed with the work that Beauty Bus performs. He made it his goal to become a Beauty Bus volunteer after he recovered from cancer. Sadly, that was a goal he was unable to fulfill.

Margaret volunteers at both Pop-Up Salons and at Home Visits. “It’s a way to honor him,” says Margaret of the volunteer work she and Ashley do together. “I’ve gone on home visits and sometimes it’s tough. But I feel good that I can go! The gratitude and feeling the clients have when we leave… it’s just great.”