I speak with one of their volunteers fairly often and she has been wonderful with helping me in my…read moreefforts to rescue cats. This is one rescue that has proven to be doing great work. If you are thinking of an organization to donate to, feel confident that Paws in Need is legit and will put the money to good use. (However, one lady there is really rude and I had a very negative phone call with her. I won't let her sour my view of the organization as a whole and I hope you won't either - just in case you encounter her on the other end of the phone line!)

Paws In Need is a really great resource to those individuals truly suffering because their beloved…read moreanimal is in need of veterinary care. Paws In Need offers financial assistance for individuals with Companion Animals who are struggling financially and who are in need of Urgent Care or Advanced Procedures for their animals. More specifically, Paws In Need offers assistance to those individuals with extremely low or fixed incomes, such as Senior Citizens and People who are Disabled, and to those individuals who are destitute, such as individuals facing or experiencing homelessness. Paws In Need also offers financial assistance for spaying & neutering animals as well, so that they can assist in reducing the population of animals in our already overcrowded animal shelters. Please don't hesitate to support this wonderful, life saving foundation, as these individuals deeply love and truly depend on their Companion Animals. If you'd like to help Paws In Need, you can donate your time as a volunteer, you can donate financially, and/or you can even donate your vehicle!

Tucked in the corner of the Pet Food Express & McCaulous shopping center is the Down Syndrome…read moreConnection, a little store-front area that provides education, hope and support to families that have been blessed with a Down Syndrome child. One of my bffs recently gave birth to a perfect little angel who just happens to have an extra chromosome and we learned of the Down Syndrome Connection at the hospital. This amazing organization provided her and her family with tons of literature as well as classes where she can learn techniques to assist with the baby's development. I've been to the facility to watch her other child while they were in class and had the opportunity to hang out in their warm front room, playing with a cool train set and reading from their huge selection of children's books. Everyone that works here is SO nice and the feeling you get being there is that these people are not only knowledgeable about Down Syndrome but more than just empathetic, they've been through a similar journey. In addition to hanging out in the office, I was lucky enough to attend their huge annual event, which consists of a walk and then a bbq lunch/carnival. What an amazing day getting to celebrate tons of special children who are so inspiring and the enormous cheering teams they have made up of all the family/friends that love them. I can't say enough about this wonderful organization. Down Syndrome Connection is Woohoo! As good as it gets! Yelp 100 Challenge: 98/100

We first learned of the Down syndrome connection 15 years ago. When I moved back into the bay area…read morewith my four-year-old son who had down syndrome. We started off in the children's groups which were great. We've been getting speech therapy here for years. I highly recommend Heather she is the best speech therapist. Heather is the only person that has been able to help me with my sons speech. I also received a lot of advocacy help from Martha Hogan who was the founder. She also referred me to a couple of attorneys. Which have helped me out through the years. From finding attorneys to help me with the school district, to getting an attorney for conservatorship for my son when he turned 18. I can't say enough how much this facility has helped me, being a single mom of a child with down syndrome. They're are so many options here for help. I just want to say one more thing, that every single person that works here is so nice.

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.

Need help? Look elsewhere…read more It will be impossible to reach anyone by phone. If you're lucky enough to catch someone on the phone, it's because they accidentally called you - then felt trapped - and made an appointment for a future date to get off the phone quickly. They will turn their phone off and be unreachable during the scheduled appointment time. Then, they will never return your calls, voicemails, or text messages. EOCP - Engagement Optional, Clients Powerless

Unfortunately my father stayed at this facility for 2days, and I had to manuver my life to bring…read morehim home with me because there is no way his hygiene can be kept up l in this facility. upon his arrival the bunking quarters were clean but the matresses was filthy. I have posted some photos that were taken of the bathroom and shower quarters and im absolutely appauled that the most vulnarable people in the oakland community have to deal with these type of conditions its disgusting, these people deserve livable bathing and bathroom conditions. One photo shows a vommit filled toilet in a 3 stall bathroom that is completely unusable and bio hazzard problem and has been like this for 3days with absolutely no fixing. Also a the shower stalls looked to have mold and rust and just plain filthy. These are such unfortunate conditions I will be contacting corporate office to discuss how to manage a cleaner environment for those in need. Signed concerned oakland resident.

Melissa at Horses Healing Hearts has a huge heart and has helped countless horses in need. She's…read morealways had time to give me advice on rescuing and connected me with other great organizations. Keep it up HHH, you're helping out the community in so many wonderful ways!

Solid faith-based international nonprofit, focusing on the well-being and education of at risk kids…read morein Belize. PathLight provides an opportunity for church and teams to come together in Belize and roll up their sleeves on specific projects and get the work done cohesively alongside parents, students, teachers and schools in partnership with the community.

I had the privilege of seeing Amma on her tour in 2018. My son really likes hugs and when I heard…read moreabout Amma--who is known for many things, including having hugged more people than anyone else in the world--I figured it would be a good cultural experience. My husband, son and I went and it was a wonderful experience. She hugged us: first son, then son +husbnad, then son+ husband+me. I didn't know what to expect but it was quite moving. If you visit when Amma is here, you get an intro video that explains her work (impressive), some meditation (nice). Newbies are invited to sit at the front and you get hugged early on. After that, you can shop the visiting vendors and buy some yummy food they set up outside. The grounds are beautiful too. Try to arrive early. Identify yourself to the greeters as a first-time visitor. Amma's volunteers do lots of interesting things on site when she isn't here: gardening, making food for those in need, recycling projects. They also COOK FOOD AND DELIVER IT EVERY SATURDAY. This can be combined with delivery of fresh fruits harvested from the Amma center. Check out the Food From Home Yelp review for more information on that.

Amma (Sri Mata Amritanandaymayi Devi) is a God-Realized being who has nothing to gain from us, or…read moreanyone. She is the spiritual mother to millions traveling the world to give solace, advice and comfort to those that seek it. She is only here on this earth plane to uplift all of humanity, and does so through a simple glance, Her embrace, Her very breath. One is not required to follow the religion of Her birthplace which is called in the west "Hinduism", but in reality is Sanatana Dharma -- eternal wisdom -- a philosophy that welcomes all regardless of their spiritual path or religious orientation. Amma's religion is Love. Amma owns nothing and every cent donated goes towards supporting Embracing the World -- all of the charities and initiatives created by Amma. Donations are strictly voluntary. Amma never asks anyone for money. The majority of the staffing is also voluntary, with no salaries in most areas. Amma Herself monitors how every penny is spent and every resource is utilized and emphasizes the importance of minimizing waste.

I worked for this organization for 15 years. I loved every minute of it. This organization has…read moreintegrity, efficiency, and care for staff and clients.

Horrible organization. I worked here for ten years; bathing, feeding, toileting clients. I…read moretook care of them when they were sick, cleaned them if they had accidents and gave them space to be themselves. After ten years of grueling work I was terminated after minor misunderstandings with a supervisor (conflict is normal amongst humans). Tom Heinz the Director told me flat out he would deny my unemployment and he did. After TEN fucking years he couldn't just let me even have the security of unemployment to help me move on to my next job. East Bay Innovations even hired an attorney to fight my unemployment...sick people manage this place. Luckily the judge ruled in my favor because she saw their reason for terminating me was petty so I got my unemployment. I really loved the clients and my coworkers, I'm still friends with some of them today but the people on top ie Director and Codirector are sociopaths.