We traditionally think about the winter holidays as the “season of giving.” Each November, as we give thanks for what we have, we are reminded to share with others through food drives, volunteering in the community, and making year-end donations.
But here’s the thing. Those who are in need have needs throughout the year. And the organizations who support them need your donations of time and money during the summer as much as during the winter. Giving is a year-round opportunity.
If you are moved to “give back” in some way over the next few months, here are a couple of organizations I work with that are making a significant difference for the people they serve.
Youth Science Institute (YSI) is a local nonprofit whose mission is “to inspire enthusiasm for science and a love for learning.” Did you know that in Santa Clara County, 32% of 5th grade students are failing science? In high poverty neighborhoods, the failure rate is as high as 90%. YSI addresses this issue by providing supplemental science education – life, physical, earth and social science – to nearly 30,000 pre-K to 6th grade students annually. Without supplemental science education from out-of-school providers like YSI, many students in Santa Clara County would not have a complete grade-level science curriculum. Math and science education are very important to keep the U.S. competitive in the global market. If you are interested in supporting science education, click here.
Puente is a nonprofit Community Resource Center serving the San Mateo County South Coast communities of Pescadero, La Honda, Loma Mar, and San Gregorio. Puente works with local communities to leverage resources that “foster economic prosperity and security, and that promote individual and community health and wellness.” In addition to advocacy and community resources, Puente provides adult education and youth leadership development.
Puente is currently holding a drive to collect backpacks and school supplies for students in the district from preschool to high school. A full backpack with supplies can cost as much as $100, a figure that is out of reach for many of the families Puente serves. You can help by making a donation or purchasing specific supplies from their online “wish list.” Puente has made it very simple to contribute.
You can help by:
1. Doing a drive among your circle of friends and family collecting what it is on their list.
2. Buying some school supplies directly from the drive site on Roonga where you can choose directly what you want to give from a box of pencils to 100 erasers.
3. Making a contribution online that Puente will use directly to buy school supplies from their list.
Thank you for your support!