No one has made it through life without someone else’s help….

It's cool to be kind.

How do you find a cause that speaks to. you? Try making a list of the things you like to do, that make you happy and inspires you. Then, you can search the internet for organizations in your area that align with your interests. Don’t be discouraged if the first time you volunteer for a group that it doesn’t feel right for you. Volunteering is kind of like dating – the first one could be the jackpot or it might take quite a few tries to find a match. 

To help you in your search for causes that you’d like to support, I’ve listed some of my favorites: 

No one has made it through life without someone else’s help….

It's cool to be kind.

How do you find a cause that speaks to. you? Try making a list of the things you like to do, that make you happy and inspires you. Then, you can search the internet for organizations in your area that align with your interests. Don’t be discouraged if the first time you volunteer for a group that it doesn’t feel right for you. Volunteering is kind of like dating – the first one could be the jackpot or it might take quite a few tries to find a match. 

To help you in your search for causes that you’d like to support, I’ve listed some of my favorites: 

American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women"

Go Red For Women encourages women and their families to take action and live a healthier life. Heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year - more than all cancers combined. 80% of all cardiac events may be prevented with education and lifestyle changes.

Barrio Logan College Institute (BLCI)

Barrio Logan College Institute’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty by preparing underserved students to be the first in their families to go to college through after school programs that begin in 3rd grade.

Boys & Girls Club

Boys and Girls Clubs serve over 25,000 kids annually ages 5 to 18 years old with programs focusing on academic success, character development, and healthy lifestyles.

Canine Companions for independence (CCI)

Canine Companions for Independence provides highly trained assistance dogs free of charge for children and adults with disabilities.

friends of balboa park

Friends of Balboa park is dedicated to preserving Balboa Park’s legacy for future generations through park-wide projects.

freedom dogs

Freedom Dogs speeds the recovery and enhances the lives of wounded military heroes through the use of specialty-trained service dogs.

girl scouts

Girl Scouts was founded in San Diego in 1917 and has nearly 30,000 members who work on building courage, confidence, and character to become leaders who make our world a better place.

junior achievement

Junior Achievement empowers young people to own their economic success.

lucky duck foundation (LDF)

The Lucky Duck Foundation focuses on providing aid and relief for individuals and families living on the streets of San Diego County. The LDF supports the efforts of organizations dedicated to assisting our homeless neighbors.

make-a-wish foundation

Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Monarch Schools

Monarch has served San Diego for nearly three decades, as a K-12 comprehensive school designed to educate homeless youth. There are more than 1.2 million homeless students across the country and 23,000 in San Diego County alone.

National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC)

NCRC champions fairness in banking, housing, and business development. NCRC offers mediation in divorce negotiations, dispute resolutions, and community training.

New Children’s Museum

New Children’s Museum provides interactive educational experiences that promote learning through the arts. NCM is a new model of children’s museums with a mission to stimulate imagination, creativity, and critical thinking in children and families through inventive and engaging experiences with contemporary art.

old globe theatre

The mission of The Old Globe Theatre is to preserve, strengthen, and advance American theatre by creating theatrical experiences of the highest professional standards as well as providing an environment for the growth and education of theatre.

olivewood gardens

The mission of Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center is to empower students and families from diverse backgrounds to be healthy and active citizens through organic gardening, environmental stewardship, and nutrition education.

Feeding San Diego

Feeding San Diego’s mission is to connect every person facing hunger with nutritious meals by maximizing food rescue. Rather than warehousing food, Feeding San Diego’s model is based on rescuing good food before it goes to the landfill and delivering it to the people facing hunger.

san diego opera

San Diego Opera delivers exceptional vocal performances and exciting, accessible programs to diverse audiences, focusing on community engagement and the transformative power of live performance.

san diego police foundation

With the help and generosity of caring citizens, the San Diego Police Foundation is able to support the San Diego Police so they can better serve our community.

san diego public library foundation

The Library Foundation strengthens communities by supporting excellence in the San Diego Public Library system through philanthropy, advocacy and outreach.

san diego symphony notables

San Diego Symphony offers audiences the wonder of live music and transformative learning experiences that develop an understanding and passion for the arts. The Notables raise much needed funds and awareness for the San Diego Symphony’s music education programs.

SurfAid

SurfAid creates opportunities for learning and working together towards a common goal, encouraging people to take an active role in establishing their own healthy and resilient communities.

Timken Museum of Art

Affectionately called San Diego’s jewel box of fine art, the Timken Museum of Art is home to the Putnam Foundation’s globally-important collection of European old masters, 19th century American art and Russian icons. The Timken is the only art museum in Balboa Park that is free to the public.

USO San Diego

Since 1941, the USO (United Service Organization) has been the principal channel representing civilian concern for the United States armed forces worldwide. Locally, our USO supports the military by feeding our heroes, offering household goods, providing a bi-monthly mobile food pantry, welcoming Warriors at homecomings, sponsoring the Marine Corps Trials for Wounded Warriors, helping our service members transition to civilian life, and offering dignified transfers and escorts to service members who have given the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country.

YMCA

The YMCA is for more than working out! YMCA offers before and after school programs, day camps, free literacy tutoring, youth sports, teen programming, senior activities, anti-gang programs, aquatics, and fitness classes.