SNAPkids is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children with disabilities by providing community-based swimming and fitness activities. By providing volunteers with a chance to work closely with our special swimmers, we open hearts, change attitudes and create more respectful, inclusive, and just communities. Learn more at: snapkids.org

School on Wheels is an organization enhancing educational opportunities for children who are experiencing homelessness from kindergarten through twelfth grade.

• 1/3 of unhoused people are under the age of 18
• 1:20 children in CA don’t have homes
• 64% of children experiencing homelessness do not graduate high school

Guest post by Ed Grocholski, Junior Achievement USA

November is National Entrepreneurship Month. It is a celebration of those visionaries who strike out on their own to start and build businesses that meet customer needs while benefiting the community as a whole.

Published 10/6/21 and updated on 9/30/22

Each of us has the power to create more compassionate and inclusive communities in different aspects of our lives whether at home, school, work, or in our neighborhood. October provides a variety of opportunities to celebrate diversity, learn more about each other, and strengthen our communities by giving back. Explore 12 ways you can do just that!

For this International Dog Day (August 26th) we want to spotlight Lily’s Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary, a nonprofit dedicated to the mighty task of rescuing, caring for, and rehoming large breed senior dogs. Of the dogs who come to Lily’s, 80% are from shelters and, more often than not, have suffered neglect. The organization does thorough evaluations and treatments to get them adoption ready. 

Over 10 years after completing my two years of Service with AmeriCorps I find myself in the unique position of again serving with AmeriCorps, just in a different capacity. At VolunteerMatch, we have partnered with California Volunteers and AmeriCorps to leverage the VolunteerMatch network and team to recruit members and spread awareness.

To celebrate AmeriCorps week, I’d love to share how serving as an AmeriCorps member has impacted my life (long story short, it completely changed the trajectory of my career and how I see the world).

Guest Contributor: Josh Fryday, California Chief Service Officer within the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom.

The Kindhearted Cities Index recognizes the incredible work of volunteers, nonprofits, service members, and community leaders who have embodied the spirit of kindness to give back to communities across the country. Through the Kindhearted Cities index, we can better understand what it is that drives action, change, and impact—and show others how to make a difference. We are beyond thrilled to see six California cities recognized for their efforts, the most of any state.

Many of us are looking for safer ways to give some kindness to others this holiday season as we see the increasing need to support our communities and the rise of the Omicron variant. Giving to others in any form — from cards to meals to a sympathetic ear — shows people they’re cared for. Here are 10 simple ways to be a force for kindness.

This is a guest post from GivingTuesday.

The 10th annual GivingTuesday celebration takes place on November 30 this year. People all over the world will come together to give their time, voice, kindness, power, skills, expertise, and resources. GivingTuesday is the perfect opportunity to complement your organization’s year-end efforts by using the day to engage your volunteers.