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.

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.

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

My experience with Interfaith has been exceptional. I am grateful for the opportunity to enhance my…read moreown life and return to a prosperous existence. My VA Case Manager Maria goes above and beyond to help me be successful with the Recuperative Care Program while my VA Nurse Katina goes the extra mile to ensure my health continues to improve. This place saved my life. Thank you to everyone employed there who helped support my care and give 100% effort to ensure my success with recovery of my injuries. God bless! - Bryan

Definitely feel scammed. Workers photograph clients and track. Only return once a month? What are…read moreyou hiding behind the hallways that you're sneaking ? Also the hours aren't accurate, staff on site always available early from 5am, people sleep at this address? Should be investigated cause it definitely looks and acts like scam. Identity theft type fraud

Have you ever heard of an LGBTQ center that doesn't have an onsite gay men's support group? Under…read more"Services" they offer a "list" of "various programs" which included exactly ONE weekly Narc Anon meeting. No AA 12 step meeting. Under the "Programs" section of the website, there is an HIV group that meets ONCE a month. There is no onsite seniors group meeting. It's a flashy website that looks great and seems to promise a lot but when you dig into it and actually visit the location you're told to find a support group on Zoom or offsite somewhere. And the atmosphere is not friendly; it's cold. But there are multiple links for donating money.

Every time I go there, I am greeted by so many enthusiastic people who are there to truly help…read more Even if you don't need help and just want a friendly ear, someone is there for that! they have many programs and services for all. Highly recommend :-)

This center has been an amazing resource for me to keep a healthy mind after military service. I am…read morevery thankful to have a place like this in my community.

This is one of the best nonprofit organizations when it comes to those who need a companion animal…read moreand cannot afford the incredibly high prices of those specially trained through other agencies. This program works in such a way that the dog "belongs" to the organization in the event that for some reason it isn't a good fit for the individual, and they do routine checks to make sure that everything is going well and the dog is being well taken care of. There are some other organizations that have a $10,000 buying for a canine companion, and the dog is thoroughly trained specifically for the individual who will receive it. The dogs in these cases usually belong to the individual that has purchased the canine companion, which is why the oversight offered through this particular organization is something that make this one of the standout organizations of its kind. They follow the family, monitor the progress, make sure its a good fit, and since the dogs have a variety of different skill sets that they can assist with they can help with a multitude of different disabilities and assistance provided to the individual who is chosen to receive the canine companion. I think it's done very responsibly and they do reserve the right to take the dog back if there are soy signs of inability to properly care for it or if there is any indication of neglect or abusive behavior. All of thee dogs are socializad in training, and they all are geared toward a multitude of disabilities, making it one of the most comprehensive canine companion programs I have ever personally seen. I have volunteered with this organization and have known many people who have waited on a years-long list for quite some time to be able to get a canine companion without having to spend thousands of dollars...which is a godsend for those families who live in disability or have low income. This is a wonderful nonprofit organization, and they work very hard to ensure that when they match a canine companion with an individual in need, it is with the appropriate skill sets that can meet the needs of the individuals receiving the canine companion. There is a main office located right here in Oceanside, and I have seen many of their presentations, each make me like the program even more every time I see a presentation on the program. This is beneficial on all levels, and sometimes can provide a much needed friend and provide some solace and companionship for those who might be lonely due to the fact that they have difficulties navigating the nuances and oftentimes confusing landscape of the social world. These canine companions are more than just animals companions...they are truly friends for those individuals who are fortunate enough to be able to qualify for one and not have to wait on a waiting list for long periods of time...although it is hit or miss with these places, depending on supply and demand, whereas with the companies you go through and pay thousands of dollars for a socially trained companion animal, they are yours to have and the company does not retain any kind of ownership over the animal, as tis particular nonprofit organization does. The only drawback is because the program is free, it can sometimes take a very long time for the individual to be paired with a canine companion... depending on how long the waiting list is. All in all, this is one of the most wonderful nonprofits I have ever had the pleasure of being able to connect with and volunteer with, and I truly hope there are more organizations that follow this pattern in the future, as the change in the recipients of these companion animals is discernible. This holds true especially those that do not require thousands of dollars to "buy in" when it comes to finding the perfect companion for your disabled loved one (or any other need for a companion:support animal).

Staff.... All women and they're very cliquish. Especially Shelly Dickerson! She acts like you're…read morebothering her.

It has been almost 2 1/2 yrs since our 13yr old Cavalier KCS Spaniel passed away and several months…read moresince my eldest moved 7-hrs away with her tortoiseshell that I'd care for, every other weekend. We (husband, teens, & myself) have missed having another furry member around - albeit we also have a hamster, but they are nocturnal so we only get to interact at night with him. I started to look around for rescues, gathered names, and ended up opting for LYFF after spending weeks just looking at pictures and reading bio's, until I was ready. I have no doubt that I selected the best-to-me rescue as everyone I interacted with was extremely courteous and easy to talk to between the application interviewer (Daisy) and the volunteer staff both at the cat event off Marron and the facility itself. We ended up adopting our sweet and cuddly boy we renamed Jasper from Amele. Tomorrow will be a week since we welcomed our fur-baby into our home and are overjoyed by our decision and him picking us when at the facility. I can only speak for myself and my experience: If you're looking to add a cat to your family then I'd highly recommend LYFF.

I had a very disappointing experience with LYFF. I submitted an adoption application because I was…read moreinterested in providing a loving home to one of their cats, and I was ultimately told that my application was not approved. When I reached out for clarification, I received a response stating that the decision was not specific to a particular cat and that I would not be approved for any future adoptions through the organization. What was most frustrating was the complete lack of explanation or transparency. I completely understand that rescues have to be careful about where their animals are placed, and I respect the volunteers who dedicate their time to helping cats. However, that does not excuse treating applicants as though they are not entitled to basic communication or respect. After being denied, I was given no explanation whatsoever beyond a generic message saying the decision was final. When I expressed my confusion and disappointment, the response essentially amounted to "we don't have to tell you why," followed by a lengthy explanation about how carefully they review applications. That may be their policy, but hiding behind a policy does not make the experience feel any less frustrating or impersonal. If you are going to ask applicants to provide extensive information about their home, lifestyle, references, and ability to care for an animal, I think it is reasonable for applicants to expect some level of transparency in return--especially when they are genuinely trying to provide a loving home. I would have appreciated a respectful conversation or even a basic explanation of what concern led to the decision. Instead, I was left feeling judged without being given an opportunity to understand or address whatever concern they had. I hope they reconsider how they communicate with potential adopters. The process made me feel as though I was being discriminated against based on factors unrelated to my ability to provide a safe, loving, and stable home. The animals deserve excellent homes, and the people applying deserve to be treated with courtesy and respect, too.