Giving Tuesday: Here are SoCal nonprofits you can help today

The coronavirus pandemic has created an unprecedented need in our communities. Here are some local organizations that can use your help on Giving Tuesday.

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Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Giving Tuesday: Children's Fund
Giving Tuesday: Children's FundChildren's Fund is a nonprofit whose mission is giving vulnerable children support, opportunity and hope.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- May 5 has been designated as Giving Tuesday, a global day of unity and generosity due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has created an unprecedented need in our communities.

Here are the local organizations that can use your help.

Children's Fund

Children's Fund is a nonprofit whose mission is giving vulnerable children support, opportunity and hope. Last year, Children's Fund provided more than 66,215 services to children in need in San Bernardino County and since its inception has facilitated over 1.7 million points of service to children and families.

Working in a private-public partnership with the county of San Bernardino, Children's Fund provides services to foster youth and other children under case management within San Bernardino County. In addition to that, we work with partner agencies (other nonprofits throughout the county) to provide the unmet needs of children.

Where do the funds go?

Donations received today will go to the Children's Fund COVID-19 Relief Fund for Children which will fund our Emergency Needs Program for children in San Bernardino County. For more information, visit www.childrensfund.org give at www.childrensfund.org/donate.

LAMusArt

The Los Angeles Music and Art School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to provide the community of East Los Angeles, specifically its K-12 population, with equitable and affordable access to multidisciplinary arts education programs year-round. LAMusArt boasts a diverse slate of immersive programs and over 200,000 students served since its inception over 75 years ago.

LAMusArt provides arts education in the community for East Los Angeles.

Where do the funds go?

Programming is offered after-school Mondays-Thursdays and Saturdays in our East LA facility (Online during Safer-At-Home). Year-round, weekly instruction is provided in music, art, dance, and drama, spanning from private lessons to large workshops. LAMusArt provides multidisciplinary programs and lessons at tuition-subsidized and tuition-free rates, and also offer scholarships to households that need financial assistance for even greater accessibility. Individual gifts made on Giving Tuesday will be TRIPLED! Relatives of the founders and longtime supporters of LAMusArt are matching all donations 2 to 1. For more information, please visit https://lamusart.org/.

The Priority Center

The Priority Center's 10 life-changing programs are designed to work with each family's unique needs and ensure that children are living in violence-free homes.

The nonprofit Priority Center's mission is to end the generational cycle of trauma and also to strengthen families experiencing crisis. The organization's executive director Lisa Fujimoto says the nonprofit has pivoted to providing tele-mental-health to families amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Where do the funds go?

The Priority Center's programs include:

Infant In-Home Visitation

Toddler In-Home Visitation

Home Visitation Program

Children's In-Home Crisis Stabilization

Adult's In-Home Crisis Stabilization

Connected Care Program

Basic Needs

Child Abuse Services Team (CAST)

Outreach and Engagement

School Readiness

For more information, please visit www.theprioritycenter.org.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center (MSRPAC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit charitable organization committed to giving homeless cats and dogs another chance for a healthy and happy life by finding them good, loving homes. MSRPAC is supported solely by private donations and fundraising projects.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is helping pet owners by providing food for their animals during the pandemic. The center is also facilitating adoptions for kittens and puppies who need forever homes!

Where do the funds go?

As a limited-entry companion adoption center, the Pet Adoption Center takes in healthy, adoptable cats and dogs from owners who can no longer care for them. As space allows, the organization selects healthy, adoptable cats and dogs from other local animal welfare agencies. MSRPAC is also very active in promoting animal welfare and positive human-animal relations through community-service programs, which include humane education, pet behavior counseling, and support of pet overpopulation education and programs. For more information, please visit https://petsadoption.org/ and please donate at https://bit.ly/2BLhc5O.

Autism Society of Ventura County

Autism Society Ventura County has been serving individuals with Autism and their families in the county for 25 years.

Families of children with special needs may find it challenging to be without the routine of daily therapy sessions and classes during the coronavirus pandemic. The nonprofit Autism Society Ventura County provides virtual support groups and fun activities to help families during this difficult time.

Where do the funds go?

The organization provides a parent support group, a young adult social group, middle school social group, a summer pool party and a scholarship program. In addition, there is a community grants program where the group funds projects in the community that better the lives of those with Autism, like 1:1 swim lessons for kids with autism through the YMCA. For more information, please visit https://autismventura.org/.

The LGBTQ Center of OC

The LGBTQ Center OC was founded in 1971, advocating on behalf of the LGBTQ community and providing programs and services that ensure its well-being and positive identity.

LGBTQ Center in Orange County is providing support and counseling to the community remotely on safe platforms during the coronavirus emergency.

Where do the funds go?

The LGBTQ Center OC provides counseling on a sliding scale and in three languages, as well as youth programming, leadership development, tutoring and mentoring. The organization also advocates for the rights of LGBTQ immigrants and asylum seekers, as well as offers HIV/STI testing to help keep the community safe and healthy. For more information, please visit www.lgbtqcenteroc.org.

LA's BEST

Established in 1988, LA's BEST provides safe, supervised after-school enrichment for more than 25,000 unique and talented elementary school students in neighborhoods with the highest needs and fewest resources.

LA'S BEST normally provides afterschool programs to Los Angeles kids but during the pandemic the organization is working with other groups to provide free meals.

Where do the funds go?

Every school day, from the time the school bell rings until 6pm, each LA's BEST student receives a nutritious meal, help with their homework and the opportunity to participate in a wide array of enrichment activities. For more information, please visit https://lasbest.org/.

Meals on Wheels Riverside

With the help of a small army of volunteers and generous people, Meals on Wheels Riverside continues its mission to serve hundreds of seniors, home bound and disabled residents nutritious food and companionship.

Meals on Wheels Riverside continues to serve hundreds of seniors, home bound and disabled residents nutritious food and companionship.

Where do the funds go?

One of the beautiful aspects of Meals on Wheels Riverside is not only are the meals customized to the clients' dietary needs, but clients also get a "good morning" from our volunteers, a check-in on their health and volunteers can report back any out-of-the-ordinary signs that may need to be communicated to loved ones. Currently during COVID-19, Meals on Wheels Riverside provides almost 600 meals a week and are using about 28 volunteers. For more information, please visit https://www.riversidemow.org/.

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