The Taylor Family Foundation has sponsored sending all 40+ kids from The Springstone School in…read moreLafayette, a school that specializes in teaching NLD kids (Non-verbal Learning Disabilities, like Aspergers, ASD, etc.) how to become productive adults in society, to Camp Arroyo for 2 days. Their generosity helps these kids, grades 6 - 12, to spend a night away from home at Camp Arroyo, to learn how to better interact with peers, learn teamwork and communication skills, develop greater abilities to trust and create social bonds, and have a fun time, too! There is a pool, zip lines, and activities at this well organized site just on the hillsides overlooking the grapes and wineries of the Livermore valley. This has been going on with Springstone for at least the last 4 years or more, through their generous sponsorship. All the kids got knapsacks with items like water bottles and other momento items. The kids love the experience and learn new things about themselves and their school mates, which can only build their confidence and help them grow into better adult members of society. The Foundation sponsors other children's groups with similar generosity.

The best food ever and best people they are nice the room is nice the camp site was goodread more

This is a great cause. I have volunteered here more than 20 times with my 13 year old. It is great…read moreto find places that allow kids that young. As much as the cause is great, I have observed on a regular basis team members being short and harsh with my kid if god forbids he drops a grain of rice. But not only that. These people should learn that there is a way of saying things and should practice gratitude a little more....

This is an awesome program that benefits so many deprived children in times of need in the USA and…read morearound the world. Pretty shameful for one review to complain that his teenage son had to pay $20.00 to volunteer. The money is used to pay for the food and transporation around the world. Would have been more appropriate to pay for his son to reinforce what a good deed it is. Cudos to the teenager who wanted to help in anyway.

Always a pleasant experience. Staff and manager are always helpful and friendly…read more Stock is neatly arranged and buyable. Not only is Shepard's Gate worth a visit, but they support our community.

This review is written as an observer at a distance given lack of access during the recovery…read moreprocess. Most info gained through family members who have had direct contact and my own research. This program and organization is unlike any other I've seen or heard of. While being very structured in many ways such as lack of outside communication for most of 11 months, this allows the individual to step out from under the burden upon them, long enough to make the personal changes needed. The facilities are excellent, and the needs of the participants are well met. Religion may not be your thing, but if accepting God into your life helps reduce the anxiety, or other inhibiting factors, why not? If participants learn to think about their actions prior to acting, they learn to avoid problems, and get help when they recognize it on the horizon. Those are much needed skills today. The support shepherds gate receives from all the churches in the tri-valley area is nothing short of amazing! It is evident by the volunteer support the organization receives. This program has attendees learning coping skills necessary to live functionally in today's world. They help them develop computer skills. They help them interview for and get employment. They have access to every resource from sponsors to doctors and therapists. Attendees of the program seem very positive. Some refuse to play by the rules and are removed from the program. In the end this is a free 11 month program. Not because insurance is covering it, they don't charge. Yes that's written correctly. This is a program that gives the time needed to move to a new lifestyle, and have stabilization. I can't imagine what this would cost otherwise. When it seems like everyone's got an angle to rob you blind, here is the purest form of love and support. I had my reservations given its structure. But the feedback is outstanding.

Safe food pantry, with security cameras out front at least for those in need. I understand the…read moreprocess to receive food can take all day because it requires waiting in line for a number early in the day, then returning later in the day when the number is called and people receive food. That seems like it would be very impactful to people's lives, if they need to spend the better part of any given day to receive food. That means a 20% loss of potential time to find work for the week. And even more than that because they may miss calls or otherwise be unavailable to attend to jobs business from previous applications for the better part of a day. It also seems like a lot of time in transit to go back and forth twice from home to the pantry, unnecessarily polluting our air from exhaust from combustion engines in vehicles and power plants where electricity is generated, not to mention the cost for gas and maintenance or vehicles for people who cannot afford it. It seems like a raffle where names are randomly selected from the list of people who have registered online in the morning would be a better service to the customers but I guess the implication is that these people's time is not important because they are not working and they deserve to wait in line for hours during cold mornings, standing on cement. At least there is shelter from the awning for the first people who arrive but the others bake in sunshine. Often the later people to arrive don't even wait in line because there is no room to actually do so, so they wander around the parking lot. Compared to the competition, I hear this is a food pantry but still lacking in services required for humane delivery. I won't even start to share the rumors I've heard about how badly people are treated by some staff and some volunteers, as well as people dropping off food. Suffice it to say that there seems to be an 'Us and Them' phenomenon going on amongst providers, despite their sometimes apparent good intentions.

If you use the food pantry get there early as numbers go quickly. That said, the people that work…read morehere are friendly and helpful. They give a wide variety of food & are really organized. This a good place to go if you need food.

VOLUNTEER REVIEW: Fertile Ground Works is a non-profit who depend on volunteers to provide…read moregardening help so that harvested produce can be given to local community kitchens and food pantries. A team of 8 of us from work came out one Tuesday morning to offer our help. Lori and Brenda greeted us and gave us instructions for each task. First we harvested veggies, which were separated into yellow bins ready for distribution to food pantries. When we were done with harvesting, we weeded a plant bed, then turned over the soil and added fertilizer. The bed is now ready for planting. It was hard work, but very rewarding. Lori and Brenda weren't just instructors, they were hands on too. Overall, a great experience for a very worthy cause.

I heard about this nonprofit in social media. You can come here and get a few bags of free compost…read more The garden is part of a charitable and educational nonprofit in Livermore, California in land, owned by the Asbury United Methodist Church. They grow vegetables that they provide to local community kitchen and pantries and operate programs to feed the hungry in the tri-valley region. To get your free compost drive all the way to the back and you will see the piles of compost. Bring your own reusable bags or containers such as pots. Then you should first register using your phone, go to the sign, and then scan the QR code. Afterwords fill out the survey. This information helps them to track usage and helps them to understand usage and their value to the communities. I also heard that sometimes during the year they sell different plants. It's important that you only come during the posted hours when they are open. Check their website!

Large selection of new and gently used clothes for adults and children. Clean and well organized…read more Great values.

Wasn't too wowed about this place - sorry. Reminds me of a place that collected a bunch of stuff…read morewithout reason and purpose and put tags on it. But I guess that's what thrift hunting is lol. They did have a decent selection of Barbie, probably vintage, dolls but they all had messed up and ratty hair.

Quality work, with the service requested completed BEFORE it was quoted to be done. Prices are more…read morethan reasonable for this quality of work; underpriced if anything. I highly recommend Golden Thread Alterations and will be referring as many people as possible to utilize their services; just please don't put their tickets ahead of mine ;)

I purchase 2 pair of Chino pants from Vince...the only thing that was not perfect was the slash…read morepockets gapped. I considered sewing them myself, but in the end decided to leave it to the professionals. From start to finish Golden Thread did an outstanding job, at a reasonable price, in a very timely manner. Friendly , efficient...my new go-to for alterations. Love supporting a small local business.

This is my go to thrift shop to drop off donations because they make it so easy with their drive…read morethrough! I would suggest calling them first to ask what they are accepting that day. I do shop here too!

Prices are outrageously high ! You can buy brand new stuff…read moreat the same price or even lower from local retail stores. This is not a thrift store, its a used item store at full price!

I would like to thank my parents and the countless religious-related movies dubbed in Vietnamese…read morethat I used to watch endlessly because that was what shaped my heart to be the way it is now. I came from a rough background, a harsh childhood but that never prevented my parents to teach and discipline me. and to show me that a little compassion goes a long way. Due to restriction at work, I wasn't able to promote this drive but thank to Beth L., Craig M., Cristal C., Noelle J., and one of my coworkers for making this drive successful. I collected quite a few backpacks and felt good that we helped a few families. The evening I decided it was time to drop the backpacks filled w/ school supplies off, I was amazed to see the generous hearts that was there before me; I saw huge piles and piles of backpacks... I'm not there to help everyone because realistically I can't but if I can make someone smile and not have to worry about the expenses of getting a backpack and school supplies then it's definitely worth it. Donations and volunteerism isn't just during the holidays. Do what you can. Help others.

What a fantastic organization. Please consider signing up for their mailing list if you'd like to…read morevolunteer as spots fill up quickly, another plus is that children are welcome to join to help out too, which many organizations require them to be 16 y.o. and up.