The Daughters of Charity Health System (DCHS) is a regional health care system of six hospitals spanning the California coast that provides comprehensive health care that is attentive to the whole person, including body, mind and spirit. It provides acute, long-term, community health, psychiatric, rehabilitation and residential care. It is sponsored by the Daughters of Charity, Province of the West, a Society of Apostolic Life serving the sick and those who live in poverty.
The Los Altos Community Foundation was formed in 1991 to the promote community-building of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.
Since then, it has been a strong force behind many of the city's institutions, including the Bus Barn Theater, Los Altos History Museum, Leadership Education and Advancement Program and the Community Scholars program for Mountain View Los Altos students who are the first in the family to attend college.
As a community foundation, it makes grants that broadly strengthen the community and it provides fund management for others. It operates four grant programs and supports its own programs, for students development, teaching philanthropy and providing mediation. Mindful of the changing demographics, it has the Aging in Place committee, which researches and disseminates information on services that may allow Los Altans to stay in their homes longer.
It has also played a leading role in convening and facilitating discussions of community-wide interest, such as the closing of Bullis School and issues of mutual interest between Mountain View and Los Altos.
It owns and operates out of the Richard Neutra House, where the 28-member board of directors meet on the third Wednesday of the month, at 181 Hillview Avenue, as well as the Los Altos Community House.
The American Ireland Fund Foundation is an international group raising money for charitable causes in Ireland. The foundation funds programs of peace and reconciliation, education and community development, and arts and culture. The San Francisco branch of this foundation is located on Main Street in Los Altos, led by regional director Marjorie Muldowney.
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation provides funding for environmental conservation efforts, reproductive health and for children throughout the world. It also gives grants to nonprofit organizations that support the arts, food and shelter, conservation, children and reproductive health.
The Los Altos-Mountain View league is one of five sister organizations in Silicon Valley (including Palo Alto, Cupertino-Sunnyvale, San Jose-Santa Clara and Southwest Santa Clara Valley). This chapter maintains a small office in the Hillview Community Center but, as a volunteer organization, does not hold office hours. Most information about its events and how to get involved or attend its board meetings, are around on its website. The League holds its board meetings, open to the public, in the conference rooms of local institutions.
The League of Women Voters is a national nonpartisan political organization that traces its history to the National American Women Suffrage Association. It encourages informed and active participation in government by citizens in the areas of voter education and action/advocacy.
The League's award-winning Smart Voter website provides individualized ballot information, including polling place and candidates' statements and backgrounds.
The League has long been known for its candidates forums, which are political debates, rather than individual candidates' presentations.
Have you ever wished that someone would explain, in plain English, what upcoming ballot propositions set out to do -- or not do? The League's Pros and Cons programs provide volunteers who read, analyze and explain those propositions -- without all the hype, omissions and spin.
The League's calendar of events also include presentations on pressing public policy issues, such as water policy and the state's budget crisis.
The League does advocate on public policy issues and its stands are also found on its website.
Membership is open to men and women of all ages.
The Chamber of Commerce in Lincoln Park encourages and promotes business, stimulating a vibrant economy in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. The organization provides networking opportunities through the Business EXPO, business-to-business-luncheons, business after-hours mixers and referral groups. Its events, such as the State of the Cities luncheon and the Los Altos Fall Festival, are integral parts of Los Altos civic life. Memberships range from $110 to $585.
In 2005, interested residents, the Los Altos Community Foundation and the City of Los Altos came together to move and re-purpose the cottage designed by renowned modern architect, Richard Neutra.
It was the sole surviving building from "Three Small Cottages in an Orchard," designed in 1935 by the architect who was featured on the cover of Time Magazine as Man of the Year in 1949.
The historic cottage now sits on city property between the Hillview Community Center and the Los Altos Community Foundation. The Los Altos Neutra House now serves the community as a small conference center. The Los Altos Neutra House sponsors these programs: the biennial Modern Home Tour, the annual Architecture Speaker Series and the FILM + Conversation series.
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Beloved by its devotees over the past eight decades, Hidden Villa is a 1,600-acre organic farm, woodland open space, educational center and community started by Frank and Josephine Duveneck in 1924. Situated at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountain foothills, the spot has been operated under a non-profit trust since 1960.
The Duvenecks envisioned a place for discussion, reflection and inception of social reform. Hidden Villa claims the oldest operating hostel in the United States, and its Environmental Education Program began in 1970. With volunteer support, it runs summer camps, a summer farm academy and community programs. The organization offers farm tours, cheese-making, cow milking and other activities throughout the year. Hidden Villa teachers are found in classroom programs in Redwood City and Mountain View.
Residential internships relate to animal husbandry, sustainable agriculture, horticulture, education and non-profit administration.
It has a Community Supported Agriculture program, which local residents can become subscribers to and receive weekly deliveries of organically grown produce.
The hostel, which sleeps 34, was renovated in 2001 to use environmentally sustainable technology and design. It is also available for private use under special rates. Other facilities available for rent include the Duveneck Family House, seating 50, and the Dana Center, seating 50.
Youth Against Poverty is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating poverty. Headed by Shawn Esmaili, the organization hosts regular charity and programming events to raise both awareness and money for worthy causes. YAP has partnered with Global Family Philanthropy, Moms Against Poverty, Project HOPE and Youth Speaks. For information on how to donate or to volunteer, call the number provided.
Ananda Marga Yoga & Meditation Center is located on Moody Road in the middle of the woods. The nonprofit healing center has two resident spiritual leaders who teach yoga and meditation practices by appointment. The center also hosts open weekly meditation sessions on Sunday mornings and meditation, music and chanting sessions on Tuesday evenings. All services are offered on a donation or contribution basis only.
The Masons of California is a fraternal organization that supports philanthropies and gives to the community. The Los Altos branch of the Free and Accepted Masons of California is led by Master Bobbie Byers. The group meets once a month at the Los Altos Masonic Lodge located downtown on Main Street.