I affirm the contents of that one other review for this. Speaking of which, organizations that do…read morereally well in doing so much good for the community should receive more of the recognition and support they deserve! :) The nonprofit is the base that hosts volunteer activities initiated by different groups all over the city. It is the hub from which various other nonprofits voice and turn the wheels of their projects. Even a recent Yelp Beach Cleanup event, associated with Heal the Bay, required volunteers to sign up first with LA Works. For MLK's Day, LA Works planned a morning at Rosemont Elementary where hundreds of people, most of them a part of their employer company (ex. Target, Home Depot, JP Morgan, Accenture), showed up to help revitalize the campus. A radio station came prepared with dancing and music to jumpstart the day. Volunteers were assigned letters and numbers, then told to report to their assigned tasks. It was all very organized and efficient. They cleaned the computer labs, classrooms, storage room and rec room. Adults and kids alike transformed drab brown walls into a playground of rainbows and sunshine. Snacks, juice and water were available throughout the event. Following, food trucks showed up, some of which were either prepaid by the organization or declined to charge. You can become a volunteer by signing up for an account - and then going through their available search options for projects you would be interested in. I like looking through their calendar for a big picture of their activities. Some projects, like anything that has to do with animals, are hot and fill up faster than others. Clicking on the individual project listing will provide a detailed description and, more importantly, the geographical location/zip code. Trust me, the easier it is to get there, the more available and willing you are to enjoy the event, maybe even on a weekly basis.

I've volunteered twice so far through LA Works: helping paint preschool walls at the Westside…read moreChildren's Center, and Toddler Time at LA Family Housing. It was easy to sign up for both events; the respective coordinators got back to me quickly, and I had a wonderful time. You really do feel like a part of the community when you help out your fellow residents. Many people say they wish they could set aside time to volunteer, and I'd just like to tell them that it doesn't take any effort just to ask how you can help, and the rewards are neverending. I look forward to helping out with future events. Thank you again!

This is a grassroots program that places foster children with local families. They have more than…read moreTWICE the national success average for finding permanent homes for children. You can get involved at www.childshare.org They are currently crewing up for the Los Angeles Marathon and 5K. My roomate and I run the 5K (well, actually we walk), every year and it is a BLAST. After the 5k we usually head over the child S.H.A.R.E block party to cheer on the Marathoners and eat free In-N-Out. Please consider joining us. Remember, its fun to have fun and its fun to make a difference. Grab a buddy and sign up here. http://www.childshare.org/newevents.html Plus, just think about all the calories you can eat after all that exercise...

I interviewed a handful of lawyers before meeting Kelly. She was a godsend! Before I met her, I…read morevisited her website and was impressed by her expertise in her field and specific stance on the sanctity of family even in the sad reality of severe marriages. She provided valuable insight as a consulting lawyer in my legal separation that involved custody of my then 1 year old daughter. She valued my priorities & provided reasonable, well-informed advice. She was a sounding board throughout my meditation process, which gave me peace when I signed the final papers. A light of truth and hope in the dark world of divorce law.

Kelly and Erica were extremely attentive, straightforward and helpful in helping me finalize what…read moreshould have been (IMO) a super easy divorce. When it (surprise) wasn't, they swept in and got it resolved for me within a week. They were quick to reply, organized and generally knew exactly what they needed from us to get it done. My only regret is not calling sooner!

The David and Margaret home Orphanage was my home back in the early and mid 1960s I am a former…read moreresident I got out in 1966 40 years later I would return with 300 + Motorcycle Bikers Riders to raise money and gifts for the kids there today. I was the first orphan out of the 100 Year history to do this for D&M Home My event was called "Eagle Eyes Ride for the David and Margaret Home" I made History for the home and the Ride ended up at the United Methodist Church of La Verne for Live music - raffle - food 50/50 and vendors I'm 65 years old now and David and Margaret will always be my HOME!! One good thing about the home they took us to see the Beatles in 1964 and in 1965 they took us to the MGM Grand Studios to see the king himself Elvis Presley where he gave a child a stuffed animal personally I got a black cat with diamond shaped green eyes.... My name is Eagle Eye Myotte

For my many mothers…read more I was raised here for a large chunk of my childhood. It was a wonderful place. Here I learned my life lessons, how to walk in high heels, how to play an instrument and how not to do the things that parents do to land one of their children here. The David and Margaret home for girls was where I found shelter by the state of California when I became a ward of the state. It is a large compound behind metal gates in the San Gabriel valley of Los Angeles. When you enter the large gates there are clerical, administrative and counseling offices, followed by ten small cottages that house ten girls and two staff members in each. I spent many years in the Mueller on your right. Dead ahead will be a dining hall and behind it, a recreation center and a swimming pool. At the very end of the complex is a large white estate which was the original orphanage that contributes it's name today. The estate is home to a store and behind her is a horse, that if she is still living is named Oatmeal. Girls like me who have exited abusive homes are treated to counseling, food, shelter and an education. *The rules are very strict. You may not exit the gates of the complex without being AWOL. A bell rings to announce a meal of county food and a light shines in your eyes every night on the hour from a night guard. You will not receive hugs or personal treatment from the staff who is regularly changed to ensure that you not become attached, but you will also never be harmed again as long as you are here. I have many stories about this place like skating at Skateland, camping at Leo Carillo in Malibu for winning the softball championship, carrying my first picket sign and many others. I'll tell you one. We received an allowance from the state of California of $3.25 per month each. If you could manage to not break a rule for 30 days, the allowance increased. (These rules were hard not to break) A state inspector went through your shared bedroom with a white glove every morning. Chores, grades, recreational credits and household interactions were part of the grade. I was a disaster, I was inconsolable because no one loved me. Or so I thought;) I used the angst to break the record for going the longest without breaking the rules. My eyes were on the prize and like the stubborn, one track minded girl that I am, I was obsessed. After years of saving, I finally did it. I bought my Yamaha G35 acoustic guitar, tuner and case at Guitar Center. I was twelve years old. I practiced every night to make use of the time that I was not permitted to watch television and taught myself how to play without the aid of a book. It took a couple more years to make a career out of it. To Adrian, Pat and all the other proctors: Thank you for raising me. To the nurses, therapists, teachers and counselor's: Thank you for everything. I am here because of you. I'll spend my life writing this review. For now, no words can credit you what you are owed for taking me in. I'll try to do you right by the actions of my life. David and Margaret takes contributions and accepts mentors with special skills. You can donate your time doing things like giving music lessons. This is an amazing place to lend your hands. Your Christmas cards and your good intentions.

We adopted our newborn through the Agency. It was an excellent experience. We are so grateful for…read morethis experience! It is back when they had an office in Santa Ana.

I was adopted via Holy Family Services in 1961: I was matched very well and my adoptive parents (…read morereally are my parents as they took me and loved me and put up with me:) Even when I wanted to try and find out whom my bio parent's are/or were since they have passed by this time: Holy Family Services let me share my need to know and let me look at a picture and let me leave a letter incase my bio parent/parents wanted to find me. In Gods time, I found my bio mom and everything was true that Holy Family Services shared with me. It may be a different time now, as I am 62 but I am referring younger couples I know to reach out and see what blessings might be waiting. There are no illegal adoptions via Holy Family Services, New places are popping about adopting innocent children from Border issues, these kids have parents out there waiting for a chance to come and reclaim and sue the USA. It is a game plan and about money and lies and it is so wrong to harm children/lost parents/and want to be parents. Holy Family Services, is there for the children and families and will illiminate the predatory scamming aggressive illegal groups, whom are out to do devil work.

* A Caution for Blended Families Considering the WRAP 5 Acres Program *…read more As a bonus-parent (stepparent) actively involved in a blended family, I enrolled in this parenting program with high hopes; through our health care provider. Unfortunately, my experience revealed a fundamental flaw... this program is not currently equipped to support blended or bonus-parent dynamics! From the beginning, I participated fully and respectfully, always with the full interest of our bonus kiddos in mind. That has and will nave change. However, following some sort of conflict unrelated to the program's content, I was quietly removed - without a single word of communication from the 5 Acres Team to me directly. The team chose instead to speak solely with the biological parent, who then relayed the message. No one from the team reached out to clarify, explain, or even acknowledge my participation, my role, or my removal. I was effectively erased due to another adult's discomfort, and the program allowed that to happen - without question. This wasn't just disappointing--it was revealing. This program appears to have a narrow framework that may work well for separated or divorced biological parents navigating co-parenting. But it lacks the sensitivity, nuance, and structure needed to support modern family systems like blended households. The consequences go far beyond the development of healthy co-parenting in support of the kiddos! It teaches the child that love, care, and effort from a bonus parent can be disregarded or erased based on someone else's feelings. That kind of inconsistency creates confusion, insecurity, and emotional distress for the child. They may internalize conflict that has nothing to do with them. They may feel pressure to "choose sides," or feel ashamed for loving more than one caregiver. It also teaches them that programs meant to support their well-being can be politicized by adult agendas. While I understand programs need boundaries, those boundaries should not default to exclusion when family dynamics are complex. And they should never allow one adult's opinion to unilaterally determine who is "allowed" to participate in a child's growth. This could be a tremendous area of opportunity--if the program chooses to evolve! Until then, I would strongly caution any stepparent or blended family considering enrollment. Unless and until the program reflects the realities of today's families, it may do more harm than good - especially to the children we are all trying to protect.

I'm shocked this place still exists!!! I was put there at a…read moreyoung age. The experience I had was abuse by staff. To the point cops were involved. If you're thinking of dropping your kids off there, think again!! 40 years later, I'll never forget what this place did to me... I don't want anyone to get hurt, but hope it burns down in the fires!!

We are happy and thankful that Atty. Jill help us with our adoption process! She is awesome, easy…read moreto reach out whenever we have question.

ALG did such a great job in navigating us through the adoption process for my sons. We primarily…read moreworked with Jill and Matt who were always willing to get back to us quickly with any inquiries that we sent out. They were with us through the entire process down to the day of the hearing and we received a follow-up from Marcel with additional information. Thank you so much for the help in getting everything done for us!

Nancy was great and and efficent ! The building is old but dont let that discourage you.read more

Everything needs to be improved, no courtesy, awful costumer service. They did not welcome us, we…read morewaited for an hour, we were never offered water. I had paid $850 for the service, after today, I rather forget about that money and did not conduct any business with them.

I had the pleasure to volunteer for this organization for a year and let me tell you UHA has the…read moremost kind and friendly people I've ever met in my whole life! UHA is a group of volunteers that spend six-eight hours on SATURDAYS! at the shelters taking great photos to enhance the beauty of cats dogs bunnies birds you name it. They have saved cats dogs from the shelter they take in injured old blind no exception. If you're looking to adopt UHA is your rescue has wonderful pets looking for a sweet home and if you're not ready to adopt try fostering you won't regret it.

I've been volunteering with United Hope for Animals for about a year now and have had many positive…read moreexperiences. Rescuing animals is not for the faint of heart, and comes with a lot of dirt, heartache and possibility of illness. Fortunately, the people who run the group are willing to overlook all the obstacles and still help the poor creatures who desperately need them. I have helped them photograph dogs, worked adoption events, fostered dogs and am now fostering cats, and know that the good this organization does far outweighs any negatives. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone who wants to volunteer, but this type of work requires a lot of strength and determination to help those who need it most. The joy of helping saving a life is the best feeling in the world.

I've sent two, TWO, messages to their email address over the last couple of weeks asking for…read moresomeone to call me to schedule a consultation, and nothing. I can't imagine this is a good tactic when your in the business of helping people who are trying to seek...HELP!

I did a group art therapy workshop with Erika. I was a little leery at first since I had zero…read moreexperience with water color, but Erika made the whole process very easy to follow. I don't have any experience with traditional therapy, but if you're on the fence about a one-on-one counseling session, a group art therapy session is a great way to get your feet wet. Thinking about my feelings through something abstract like art helped me process them in a different way. There was no pressure during the session to share with the group if you didn't want to, but the people who did seemed to get a lot out of it. Erika also made herself available privately during the session for anyone who wanted to share directly with her discreetly. The office itself is really comfortable and inviting and was easy to find. There seemed to be plenty of street parking nearby, but the office is super close the Highland Park gold line stop for anyone commuting by train.