The Gift of Giving

The holiday season is a perfect time to give back and help your local community. From North County all the way down to the border, there are a litany of Southern California charities waiting for your assistance this December. Most of us have a charity or two close to our hearts that we donate to on a regular basis, but with the holiday season approaching, perhaps it’s time to start a new tradition! Break from the norm and help a local organization that makes a difference in your community’s daily lives. Here are four amazing charities worthy of your time, attention and generous spirit.

Operation Hope Vista

For more than a decade, Operation Hope-Vista has been providing a safe and clean living space for homeless families with children and single women. Under the guidance of an experienced staff, Operation Hope-Vista is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and an active member of the Alliance for Regional Solutions Network.

In 2012, Operation Hope-Vista purchased property from the Vista Community Clinic, creating a permanent home for the organization. Existing buildings were renovated and a new community/dining building was constructed, providing eleven family rooms and one dormitory room for single women. The facility can accommodate about 45 people, of which half are usually children. This permanent site also enabled the organization to transition from a cold-weather shelter to a year-round facility providing services.

In addition to individual family rooms, the facility offers laundry facilities, showers, computers, a courtyard and a playground. There is also a conference room for adult education and homework completion overseen by a retired teacher and tutors. A basic breakfast is provided and donations are the basis of lunches.

The shelter collaborates with the Cities of Vista, San Marcos and Oceanside, as well as social service agencies, faith-based communities, foundations and individual volunteers. On average, Operation Hope-Vista families receive about 108 hours of life-skills classes, counseling and case management. To learn more, donate or volunteer this holiday season, please visit operationhopeshelter.org.

Fresh Start Surgical Gifts

Since 1991, Carlsbad-based Fresh Start Surgical Gifts has been providing reconstructive surgery for infants, children and teenagers with physical deformities caused by a traumatic birth, physical abuse, burns, accidents or a disease. The children come from low-income or uninsured families. Thanks to a hefty contribution Fresh Start received to cover overhead costs, every cent donated to the organization benefits the patients.

Every year, Fresh Start holds six "Surgery Weekends" where volunteer medical professionals provide necessary surgical services. In addition, Fresh Start hosts dental clinics, speech therapy services, laser treatments, health education and treatment plans for every patient. Medical conditions include cleft and lip palate, hemifacial microsomia, fused fingers and toes.

"Fresh Start is thrilled to celebrate 25 years of medical transformations," says Christina Curtin, Fresh Start Director of Development. "This year marks a milestone of 25 years of successful surgeries, community partnerships and happy, healthy children going on to thrive and do great things for our world… We are so lucky to be able to say that 100% of all donations go to the children." Financial donations are used for a variety of services, including paying for a child’s laboratory and travel expenses or paying the food expense for a family during Surgery Weekend.

To date, nearly 7,300 patients have received medical treatments from Fresh Start, valued at over $34,000,000. If you would like to learn more about Fresh Start, please visit freshstart.org.

Accion San Diego

Since 1994, Accion has been creating economic opportunities for business owners who may not be able to access necessary funds via traditional sources of credit.  

Headquartered in San Diego, this non-profit organization is a member of the Accion U.S. Network, the largest nationwide non-profit micro and small business lending network in the country. In addition to San Diego, Accion serves Imperial, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

"Accion’s growing impact over the last few years demonstrates the immense demand for access to capital for entrepreneurs in Southern California," says Accion CEO Elizabeth Schott. "Our 22 years of experience and our wrap-around approach of one-on-one coaching, resource support and small business loans positions us perfectly to assist entrepreneurs who need it the most." To help small business owners with credit counseling and budget management, Accion partners and collaborates with various government entities, corporations, banks and community-based organizations.

To date, Accion has disbursed nearly 4,000 loans in excess of $28 million to over 2,600 clients. Loans, which range from $300 to $75,000, are available to start-up and established businesses. Typical clients are small and home-based business owners, many of whom are low-income and minorities.

Accion believes that successful small businesses are paramount for a healthy economy. The organization helps its loan recipients build positive credit history and enhance their business skills. For more information, please visit accionsandiego.org.

Toward Maximum Independence, Inc. (TMI)

TMI is a non-profit agency supporting children and adults with developmental disabilities, as well as the deaf and hard of hearing. According to TMI, one in six people born have a developmental disability.

Since 1981, this award-winning organization has been collaborating with local regional centers and the California State Departments of Developmental Service so individuals with disabilities can get necessary services tailored to their needs and make positive contributions to society.

"As TMI embraces its 35th year of serving children and adults with developmental disabilities, we have spent a great deal of time reflecting on all that we have accomplished," says TMI Executive Director Rachel Harris. "As we look to the future, we are confident our hard work and commitment to our mission will continue to not only increase the quality of life for those we serve, but also raise awareness of developmental disabilities in hopes of opening many more doors for our most vulnerable citizens. We believe that, although challenging, nothing is impossible and all we need is an opportunity to serve."

TMI assesses a person’s needs and creates individualized plans. Since the organization is a licensed Foster Family Agency, it provides alternative homes for children with severe challenges. Another aspect of TMI’s mission is to help their clients build relationships with community members, make friends and participate in activities. The organization’s Independent Living Program provides up to 80 hours per month supporting disabled adults living independently.

TMI proudly serves more than 700 clients throughout San Diego, Riverside and Imperial Counties. If you would like to donate or volunteer, please visit tmi-inc.org.

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