Volunteering with Solutions for Change has been one of the most inspiring and purpose-driven…read moreexperiences of my life. From my very first day, it was clear that this organization is guided by a deep commitment to transforming lives, not just meeting temporary needs. Their mission--to permanently solve family homelessness through accountability, empowerment, and opportunity--is not just a statement on paper. It is lived out in every conversation, every program, and every interaction I witnessed. What sets Solutions for Change apart is their unwavering belief in the potential of every individual. Their values of leadership, responsibility, community, and long-term transformation shine through in the way they support families. Instead of offering quick fixes, they focus on equipping people with the tools, skills, and confidence to rebuild their lives in a sustainable way. This approach doesn't just change circumstances--it changes futures. As a volunteer, I felt valued and included in a mission much bigger than myself. The staff leads with compassion and clarity, always emphasizing dignity and empowerment. Watching parents take bold steps toward stability and seeing children thrive in a safe, supportive environment reminded me that real change happens when people are given both hope and responsibility. My time at Solutions for Change strengthened my belief that lasting transformation is possible when an organization listens deeply, leads boldly, and works alongside the people they serve. I'm grateful to have played even a small part in their mission and would encourage anyone seeking a meaningful volunteer experience to get involved. This is truly a place where change is not only possible--it's happening every day

If you're donating to this organization because you believe you're supporting trained professionals…read morehelping families rebuild their lives, you should take a very close look at how things actually operate here. The public messaging is polished: structured routines, trauma-informed care, professional oversight, and a stable environment for parents and their children. But the internal reality is the opposite -- and it raises serious ethical and safety concerns that donors would never sign off on if they saw them firsthand. A huge portion of the "leadership" enforcing rules and issuing consequences aren't professionals at all. They are individuals fresh out of treatment, moved into authority positions with no credentials, no training, no background in family services, and no experience managing vulnerable populations. Yet they're the ones threatening residents with termination and making decisions that determine whether a parent keeps or loses stability for their child. This isn't trauma-informed care. It's a revolving hierarchy built on fear, inconsistency, and unchecked power. When people who finished their own recovery programming only weeks prior are suddenly responsible for supervising parents, enforcing consequences, and deciding who stays or goes, it stops being a support program and starts looking like an unstable, unregulated experiment. And families -- especially children -- are the ones paying the price for that instability. Add to that: * rules that change depending on who's on shift * decisions made with no transparency or documentation * residents routinely threatened with housing loss over minor or unclear issues * supervisors who contradict one another because no one receives standardized training * and a culture where the program's image matters more than its outcomes ...and the whole "transformational" narrative starts to unravel quickly. The level of hypocrisy is impossible to miss. The organization demands stability, consistency, and accountability from families while providing none of those things in return. Donors are told they're funding professional support. What they're actually funding is a system where unqualified individuals -- still working through their own recovery -- are given authority over families who need real expertise, real guidance, and real safety. If you're a donor, you should ask: * Who is actually trained here? * Who is supervising families? * What qualifications do these "leaders" have? * How are families being treated? * And where is the accountability for the power being handed out? The image being sold to the public is not the experience families are living inside the program. And if donors genuinely care about ethical, effective, family-centered support, this is not something that should be ignored.

Such a wonderful experience! Very well organized and so much love towards finding these pups the…read morebest home. Highly recommend and my husband and I look forward to rescuing another one when the time is right

We loved EVERYTHING about this rescue! I put in an application that I was interested in their dog…read moreLola, they gave me a call a couple of days later to talk over the phone, then we met the rescue organization at a park near our home and we fell in love with Lola and took her home that day! They answered all of our questions and more! We have had no issues with the dog whatsoever. The organization was completely honest and very kind! So happy with our new dog and she is so wonderful!! Definitely adopt from this rescue!!

I am beyond thankful for the Helping Paws Foundation! This month, our dog unfortunately ate an item…read morethat became lodged in her intestine. I found out about the Helping Paws Foundation during that emergency, and they have been an absolute Godsend! I am forever grateful for the work they do helping veterans like myself. As a single parent, an unexpected veterinary emergency is catastrophic, but having to choose between life and death because of financial constraints is one of the worst feelings in the world. I truly believe this organization was used by God to help keep our pup alive. I will forever be grateful. Thank you all so much. You are truly saving lives!

This experience meant everything to me and my family. Coco had to undergo a fracture repair, and…read morewhile it was such a scary time, she is now doing well and I'm so excited to see her continue to recover and heal. Helping Paws Foundation truly changed everything for us. As a military family, unexpected medical costs can be overwhelming, and their financial assistance made it possible for Coco to receive the care she needed. What they do to help families stay together with their pets during difficult times is incredibly special and deeply appreciated. Dr. Souther provided amazing care and gave me so much confidence throughout the process. Christina, the executive director, was so gentle and attentive, and it was clear how much she truly cared. I will always be thankful for the compassion, support, and kindness we were shown. Coco is healing, and that means the world to us.

Incredible organization! I can't say enough good things about the facility, the team, and the…read moremission. Everyone cares so deeply about those they help and serve. I get a real sense of peace every time I visit. The world needs more places like Casa de Amparo. Thank you for all that you do for children and families in need!

One of my favorite non-profits. I have been here to tour the facilities, and have volunteered my…read moretime to help with the kids, teens, and young adults for five years through their wish list program at the holiday season. Tania is the woman that I've been communicating with at Casa de Amparo, and she has done a tremendous job at coordinating and communicating effectively. Every staff member that I've met has been loving and friendly. This place deserves a lot more credit than it gets because they are involved in extremely difficult situations at times, and they are doing so much to help. I just learned that Amparo translates to protection, shelter, and help. Many of the kids at Casa de Amparo are being provided a safe shelter.

In 2025, I lost everything. Brother Benno's Food Bank is the…read morebest in San Diego -- not just because of the food, but because of the people. The breakfasts and sack lunches kept me going when I had nothing. Blankets and tents help people survive cold nights. That support carried me through the hardest days. Alex, Darryl, and Melyssa each played a meaningful role in helping me and my family. Alex treated me with dignity and patience when I was homeless after domestic violence and a fire, and helped me rebuild through housing navigation and rental assistance. Darryl was a huge part of the 2024 rental assistance that helped both me and my son's father both keep our homes, protecting our child during an unstable time. Melyssa at Alpha Project brought compassion and steady support when it mattered most. Homelessness has changed. I saw grandmas and grandpas out there --in fact the elderly are incredibly vulnerable and make up highest percentage of new homelessness -- and this organization meets people with real humanity. Every person there is a blessing. Forever grateful. Don't lose hope

the thrift store HAS OUTRAGEOUS PRICES. You would think at this time when people are struggling a…read morestore that gets EVERYTHING THEY SELL FOR FREE would MAYBE PRICE THEIR STUFF RESONABLY. They're so afraid someone might re-sell and make a little money. Not worth shopping there anymore.

A wonderful rescue! Although this review is a few months…read morelate, I wanted to say that because the fosters did not care about our ages, but were more concerned about the surroundings for their dogs, we became the proud "parents" of a foster named Ashton. He is a wonderful pup who attracts attention where ever we go because of his sweet demeanor and beautiful coat. Previously, we had filled out 14 applications, but no one contacted us because of our ages. SPOT believed in "never too old to love a rescue, "and here we are with a happy ending for both us and Ashton!

Professional rescue group. The ladies running it are older and seem retired. My husband and I have…read morebeen on the search for a 2nd dog to fill the void in our home when our senior dog passed. We ended up adopting a senior MinPin that was mellow, independent and able to coexist with our younger big dog. They were pretty accurate in Macaroon's personality and she seems to be hitting our expectations. I like their approach in that they rescue their dogs out of shelters into foster homes so that potential adopters know exactly what the pet's personality is like in the home environment. Their fosters are also patient with the dogs and will initiate housetraining so busy adopters like my husband and I are able to get right into the home routine with the new pet. Their adoption fee is definitely more since they don't get county or city funding. Our senior dog was $150 and their younger ones are about $250. A bit high but justified since they got to provide essential vet care until the animal is adopted. I wouldn't hesistate to give them a try if you see an interesting dog from them on PetFinder. Fill out their application and someone from the group will be in contact with you in a few days.

Peoples are very kind and manners. They are great help especially when you are very down to bottom…read moreof your life. No shame to ask for food when you are in trouble to buy food. Just ask them. Thank you for help from our community

As of today October 23rd the government shut down all food banks including this one I have been to…read moreall in the area using the last of my gas and have no food starving to death and it's permanently CLOSED

First time fostering cats and I couldn't have asked for a better organization to shepherd my…read moreexperience. Steph spent dedicated time and care to work with me and monitor the wellbeing of the kittens I was given everything I needed (bed, food, litter, toys, etc) but not only that - a fantastic ample support for asking questions and sharing progress with the larger team of volunteers. What I love about this organization is that they genuinely care about the pets they take in and are willing to go the extra mile and due diligence to save and protect every little soul. Each volunteer working for this organization genuinely cares.

We have adopted 2 kittens from Furball Forever. Cat provides a lot of care in the adoption process…read moreexplaining all very thoroughly. She is a true professional and obvious she cares about each animal. Adoptions were a year apart. I like that there is a "process" for adoption and they don't just turn animals over without a background. Both cats are healthy and happy.