Ever since its inception in 1984, the RiteCare Childhood Language Center of Santa Barbara (a program of the CA Scottish Rite Foundation) has been the only program in Santa Barbara County offering free language and speech therapy for children. For those unable to afford private language therapy, RiteCare’s speech-language, literacy, and education therapy programs for preschoolers can result in improved communication and confidence that last a lifetime. Its programs are more extensive than what [...more...]
Dean Noble, executive director of Elings Park, is fond of comparing Elings to some famous public parks in urban areas. “What Central Park is to New York, and Golden Gate Park is to San Francisco, [...more...]
Giving List Matching Challenges
Youth Development
At first blush, Yaskin Solano may seem like a typical native of Santa Barbara. He grew up here, and he […more…]
NatureTrack took a field trip to Pismo Beach and we’ve got the pics to prove it! While you’re checking out […more…]
Roxana Petty is understandably proud that AHA! is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024, marking a quarter-century since the nonprofit’s […more…]
The Arts
It might seem disingenuous to employ the expression “a blessing in disguise” when it comes to Covid. But the truth […more…]
For the Santa Barbara Symphony, the 2023-24 season expresses a number of the outreach efforts in its mission: to enrich […more…]
UCSB Arts & Lectures’ fall season was one for the ages, with enviable events throughout the breadth of its programming. […more…]
Social Justice
One of Santa Barbara’s longest-running community-organized festivals, our Earth Day celebration is also one of the oldest in the country, […more…]
On a recent morning at Holocaust Museum LA (HMLA), Betsy, a docent, was leading a tour group of 20 LA […more…]
Over the last couple of years, the Community Environmental Council (CEC) has dramatically increased its efforts to combat climate change […more…]
Performing Arts
UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L), the Central Coast’s premier arts presenting organization, announces its 65th Anniversary 2024-2025 season of live events. […more…]
Homelessness & Housing
In 2015, Casa Esperanza joined forces with PATH, a statewide nonprofit that for 40 years has provided services to more […more…]
New Beginnings has an ambitious and lofty goal for 2025: ending veteran homelessness in Santa Barbara County. It’s not a […more…]
Global Reach
The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation is thrilled to announce it was recently selected as one of the 2024 Best […more…]
In the wake of Maui’s tragic 2023 wildfires, relief organizations and the goodwill of the world at large poured into […more…]
Santa Barbara has earned global recognition as a premier destination for “sand, sun, and sea” vacations. Yet, one lesser-known facet […more…]
Giving Paws
The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation is thrilled to announce it was recently selected as one of the 2024 Best […more…]
Giving Paws
In the wake of Maui’s tragic 2023 wildfires, relief organizations and the goodwill of the world at large poured into […more…]
Santa Barbara Humane, founded in 1887, was one of the first animal welfare agencies in the country, opening nearly seven […more…]
Foster Care
“With Wayfinder, we don’t feel like my son has a disability. We feel like everyone else.” This is the gift […more…]
When Gina was preparing to adopt a baby girl, she experienced a rush of thrilling emotions that comes with going […more…]
For the Children
Explore Ecology inspires students and adults alike to become better environmental stewards through three programs that reach over 40,000 community […more…]
Family Service Agency’s (FSA) work is the very stuff that powers a vibrant community from within and makes it whole. […more…]
When Gina was preparing to adopt a baby girl, she experienced a rush of thrilling emotions that comes with going […more…]
Family Well-Being
Marialena, 73, suffered an incredible loss when her husband passed away several years ago. She spoke little English, had little […more…]
A child is a sponge, soaking up experiences and building a worldview. These foundational beginnings are formative. These beginnings can […more…]
When Gina was preparing to adopt a baby girl, she experienced a rush of thrilling emotions that comes with going […more…]
Environment
Our climate is in crisis. Record-setting heat waves. Larger and more destructive wildfires. An historic megadrought, hotter and drier than […more…]
One of Santa Barbara’s longest-running community-organized festivals, our Earth Day celebration is also one of the oldest in the country, […more…]
An impact report is normally more of an obligation or a chore for a nonprofit rather than something to brag […more…]
Education
Even as a student at UC Santa Barbara, Geoff Green – CEO of the Santa Barbara City College Foundation – […more…]
There are 19 RiteCare Childhood Language Centers across California, a program of the California Scottish Rite Foundation that provides life-changing […more…]
Most locals are probably aware of the best Santa Barbara place to visit every Memorial Day weekend for a glimpse […more…]
Community Treasures
One of the most iconic public gardens in the world, Lotusland is a 37-acre wonderland of more than 20 distinct […more…]
Victoria and Bill Strong brought their baby home with that mix of gratitude and indescribable joy – the heart-squeezing hallmarks […more…]
In every great city is a community park that serves as its beating heart. Elings Park in Santa Barbara has […more…]
Community Resilience
Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara County, also known as Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center and Guadalupe’s […more…]
A teenager is much more than a preincarnate adult. The average teen’s roiling hormones and fraught search for self are […more…]
It’s been a landmark year for major anniversaries in Santa Barbara. The Granada Theatre launched its year-long Granada 100 celebration […more…]
College Access and Higher Education
An impact report is normally more of an obligation or a chore for a nonprofit rather than something to brag […more…]
Advocacy
Brady United Against Gun Violence, aka the Brady Center, marks its 50th anniversary since its founding. But the organization that […more…]
Santa Barbara has earned global recognition as a premier destination for “sand, sun, and sea” vacations. Yet, one lesser-known facet […more…]
Across the county, financial hardships have either been created or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. For homeowners who experienced reductions […more…]