Does Your Family Want to Help Other Families? These 3 Community Groups Can Help You Do That
It’s always a great time to help others, but for a lot of us, it feels extra special around the holidays. So, let’s celebrate the season by giving back to local community organizations focused on helping little ones and their families.
Being charitable with our time and money shows kids at a young age how important it is to give back, and it can also help them learn about empathy, furthering their social emotional development. Discussing the needs addressed by these organizations, modeling behaviors that are warm and respectful toward the people assisted, and guiding helpful actions can nurture in young children an understanding of empathy and caring for members of our communities.
If you’re not available to volunteer, all the organizations featured below accept donations that can be sent with just a few easy clicks. Family conversations about why you are donating and who is being helped can go a long way in the way your child understands emotions, manages social interactions and grows awareness in how their actions impact others.
Jumpstart
Jumpstart is a national early education organization that focuses on early childhood literacy among preschool students. Jumpstart partners with preschools, colleges, universities, and community organizations to recruit volunteers, bring the Jumpstart program to preschools where the need is highest and provide literacy resources to families.
Jumpstart volunteering opportunities in Los Angeles include helping create materials, distributing resources, reading to children and more. Find all the volunteering opportunities on the Volunteer Match website.
Two-hour volunteer shifts to assemble literacy kits are available every Saturday from Nov. 20, 2021 to Dec. 11, 2021 at either 9 a.m. or 12 p.m.
Not available to volunteer in person? Jumpstart also accepts donations.
El Nido Family Centers
El Nido Family Centers empowers families in need by helping increase financial and housing stability, foster academic success, and pave pathways for a brighter future.
As Thanksgiving approaches, El Nido is accepting donations of any amount to help feed families. Donations will go toward grocery store gift cards, non-perishable food items, holiday essentials and staff resources.
Various levels of sponsorship for business owners are also available, along with in-kind donation needs. You can contact the organization for more information at events@elnidofamilycenters.org.
D.A.D. Project
With chapters in California, Louisiana, Colorado and Texas, the D.A.D. Project focuses on providing educational programs and offering safe spaces so fathers can develop the necessary skills to support their children's academic development by playing an active role in their education. They also work with Women and Mothers (W.A.M!) of the D.A.D. Project, an initiative aimed at providing a safe space for women and mothers to convene, support and empower one another through events to discuss the importance of self-care, stress management, women's health, coparenting and more.
To support their efforts, the D.A.D Project always welcomes donations.
