The Berkeley Place Deaf-Disability Project provides a variety of resources for the hearing impaired community. In addition to a library of resources, this location offers counseling services, interpreter referrals, hearing-aid support and American Sign Language classes. The association also offers home visits.
This preschool has space for 36 two to six year olds in a Berkeley residence with a home feel. It is religiously affiliated, though the school does not try to inculcate the beliefs of a single denomination into the children but rather relies on the underlying values of Christianity to guide the education.
Heyday sells magazines on the subjects of California history and Native Californians. These are available online or you may come into their small office on University, which has a limited selection. They also produce the quarterly magazine News from Native California.
Bay Area Open Space Council protects more than two million acres of park and agricultural land. It consists of 60 organizations dedicated to protecting natural spaces. Together, they provide resources to map protected areas, develop plans for sustaining biodiversity in area parks, produce interactive maps for hikers wanting to access trails from public transportation and more.
This non-profit is helping shape both national health policy and the personal health choices of individuals with its programs combining research with best practices to improve the life chances of low-income communities. It works with youth in the community, developing guides, seeking input from and offering resources to those most likely to influence the future of national health.
DEAF Media is dedicated to preserving the unique culture of deaf people in America, organizing showcases of deaf performers, providing forums for deaf storytellers, producing TV shows and ensuring access for deaf patrons. Join the mailing list to learn of upcoming events, some of which are free to the public, or make a donation on the website.
Part of Project Open Hand, Meals on Wheels delivers hot meals to homebound seniors aged 60 years and over. Meals range from classic American favorites to diverse specialties from around the world. All meals are prepared with no added salt and are low in fat. There is a recommended contribution of $3.50 per meal, or whatever is feasible. Meals on Wheels is always looking for volunteers, especially drivers!
When people buy locally, the money made will likely be reinvested in the community; when they buy from a large corporation, most of the profits will be used elsewhere. Sustaining local economies also means more independence for workers, healthier food and more variety in products. The non-profit advocates for a move towards this localization from globalization by educating people about the consequences of the choices they make everyday.
Founded by a psychotherapist, this Berkeley non-profit provides counseling, therapy and parenting support services and classes to Bay Area children and their families. It specializes in children and families in foster care and those experiencing trauma because of death, divorce, substance abuse, domestic violence and other issues. Bay Area Children First also provides professional training sessions and workshops for child welfare agencies and parents, foster or otherwise, of neglected and abused children.
Seacology is a leading environmental conservation organization whose primary focus is on preserving the biodiversity of islands. The majority of plant and animal extinctions in recent times have happened on islands and Seacology aims to help arrest this trend around the globe. It works with local populations to come up with solutions that are both environmentally responsible and economically advantageous. To see a list of the many projects the organization has completed, is currently working on, to get involved with its educational programs or to donate, check the Web site.
In the name of promoting social justice, this Berkeley non-profit provides digital media resources and technology to underserved populations whose voices are not often heard in popular media. The organization tries to encourage collective action and a sense of community among marginalized groups in the hopes that their interests will be better represented.
The South Berkeley Neighborhood Development Corp is a group that assists low-income singles and families in finding affordable housing. The group manages two apartment complexes for low-income tenants, Rosewood Manor on Russell Street near California and Lorin Station Plaza. Additionally, the South Berkeley Neighborhood Development Corp helps with local social programs, neighborhood beautification issues and assistance for new business owners.
Friends of Five Creeks is a volunteer group working for clean water and healthy watersheds. Its members and other volunteers, who include residents of El Cerrito, protect and restore natural areas in the East Bay. Their projects include work parties to restore native vegetation and wildlife habitat and provide trails, free guided walks and talks, "weed warriors" activities, public outreach and advocacy.
Since 1987, this non-profit has encouraged collaboration between parents, teachers and students and has taught the parents and teachers of more than one and a half million disadvantaged youth how to give their children and students the best chance for educational success.
Their programs include free classes to parents on how to foster a positive learning environment for their children and how to navigate the school system in order to better their children's chances of going to college and workshops for teachers on how to interact with parents and learn best teaching practices.
Parents and teachers who would like to take advantage of these free resources (offered in sixteen languages) should visit their website to see if their students' school is involved with the program already, and if it's not, how to go about bringing about a partnership with PIQE.
The ICRI's slogan is "Empowering the Village to Raise the Child." To those ends, it works for early childhood care, improved education, empowerment of women and girls, maternal health and sustainable community development. It goes only where invited, but so far has been invited to fifty countries across the world, implementing more than three hundred programs. Some of these projects include micro-finance initiatives, child abuse prevention programs, teacher training and the support of local grassroots organizations pursing these goals. See its website to donate to this worthy cause.
This Berkeley non-profit is the result of a union between three community mediation programs in Alameda County. Together, they bring over 150 volunteers providing mediation, facilitation and training services for low or no cost to community organizations and non-profits interested in finding smart ways to reduce conflict. SEEDS also works with the Alameda County Juvenile Court and local schools to create a restorative justice model that seeks to address and prevent harm rather than merely punish offenders. These successful models have offenders, victims, families and community members come together to discuss incidents so offenders can understand the harm caused and try to make reparations to the victims.