Howyou can help children, needy families
Area food banks and social service agencies are collecting donations to help the needy through the holidays. Here’s how you can help: SANTA CLARA COUNTY Asian Americans for Community Involvement: is accepting new and unwrapped gifts for low-income families served by our domestic violence and human trafficking program, Asian Women’s Home through Dec. 15. We are seeking $50Target gift cards, nonviolent toys, activity sets, board games, athletic equipment, and more. Monetary donations are also welcome. Our full holiday wish list is available online at dv.aaci.org. If you have any questions, contact 408-975-2730, Ext. 171. AlumRock Counseling
Center: is hosting its Annual Toy Giveaway & Holiday Celebration for about 700 needy children (ages 0-19) from East/Central San Jose, who otherwise might not receive a holiday gift. Items needed include: toys (especially for teens), wrapping paper, tape, ribbons/ bows, baskets, bottled water, cookies, candy, or other holiday snacks. Toy and item donations will be accepted at ARCC, 1245E. Santa Clara St., San Jose until Dec. 20. Don’t have time to shop? Monetary gifts are also welcome: you can donate online at https:// donatenow.networkforgood. org/ 102756. Contact Alma at 408-240-0070, extension 311, or development@ alumrockcc.org. Bill Wilson Center: provides counseling, education, and housing for homeless youth in Santa Clara County. BWC’s Adopt-A-Family program fulfills holiday wishes of more than 1,600of the neediest youth and families selected by the County Department of Family and Children’s Services. These families have cases with the DFCS due to abuse or neglect; our goal is to provide a bit of extra joy during the holiday season. BWC needs gift cards (Walmart, Target, etc.). These youth rarely get the opportunity to buy
something new and the parents (biological and foster) rarely get to buy something special for themselves.The organization is at 3490The Alameda, Santa Clara. 408243-0222, www.billwilsoncenter.org. Boys & Girls Clubs of Sili
con Valley: offers out-ofschool enrichment programs for more than 3,000at-risk youth, ages 6-18years, at 12 locations throughout Santa Clara County. We are always in need of school, supplies, art supplies and board games. Also needed are gift cards for teens (Target, Safeway). Monetary donations for school uniforms and computers are greatly needed and appreciated. Donations can be dropped off at 518Valley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035, from 9 a.m.4p.m. Monday-Friday. Volunteers are also always needed. Contact Alethia Ruiz at alethia@bgclub.org; website bgclub.org.
Catholic Charities of San
ta Clara County: serves 38,000children and adults of all cultures and beliefs through 34programs at 80 locations throughout Santa Clara County. Ways to give to our clients at the holidays and year-round: cash donations toward rental assistance; gift cards for youth and families struggling to get by; bus passes for transportation to school and work; winter jackets/sweaters for children and adults; cozy blankets for seniors. Items should be new and unwrapped, please. To donate, call (408) 325-5125 or email lpippin@ CatholicCharitiessSCC.org. Catholic Charities is at 2625Zanker Road, San Jose. Learnmore atwww.catholiccharitiesscc.org. Child Advocates of Silicon Valley: recruits, trains and supports community volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advo- cates (CASAs) to children in the Santa Clara County dependency system. CASAs provide critical emotional and educational support to foster children, ensuring that their needs are met, and their voice is heard in dependency hearings. We are seeking gift cards for teens (Kohl’s, Target, and Walgreens) and new toys for children of all ages. Monetary contributions are always appreciated. Donations can be brought to Child Advocates, 509Valley Way, Milpitas, CA 95035, from 9a.m.-5p.m., Monday-Friday. For volunteer opportunities, visit www. BeMyAdvocate.org. Community Solutions’ Holiday Giving Program: provides gifts and necessities to low-income families for the holidays. We currently need grocery cards, gift cards, diapers (especially large sizes), warm blankets, socks (all sizes), baby items
(new bottles, teethers, etc.), chunky baby books, sweatshirts (especially men’s sizes), and cleaning supplies (laundry soap, bathroom cleaner, etc.). As these are gifts, we are requesting new, unused items only. For information on how to donate, contact Paige Day at 408-846-4713orpaige. day@communitysolutions. org or go to communitysolutions.org. Community Solutions is a comprehensive nonprofit human services agency serving children, families, and individuals in South Santa Clara County and surrounding areas. ConXión to Commu
nity: a community-based, non-profit which provides education, workforce, behavioral health and other services to disconnected youth and adults since 1977. It’s important to remember older youth during the holiday season. Youth, ages 1318, are often overlooked; yet they are still children and should be given the same pleasures as the younger youth. Help a teenager smile. Donating toiletries, socks, gloves, scarfs, gift cards, movie passes. Something so simple can change the life of a youth-being remembered. 749Story Road Suite 10, San Jose, 95122-
2600or call 408-213-0961, extension 23. and ask for Lori. Downtown Streets Team
(DST): builds teams that restore dignity, inspire hope, and provide a pathway to recover from homelessness. The volunteer Work-Experience Program provides homeless and at-risk Team Members an opportunity to beautify their community in exchange for case management, employment services, and a basic needs stipend. To date, DST has found over 1,400homes and jobs for people who used to live on the streets. Monetary donations, gift cards, socks and hygiene products are all ongoing needs. Contact Kalie to learn more Kalie@ StreetsTeam.org or visit StreetsTeam.org. Family Supportive Housing: provides interim emergency housing and supportive services to families experiencing homelessness. Financial donations are most needed this holiday season. Gift cards for gas, groceries, and clothing are also appreciated. We also have many volunteer opportunities. Contact Christi Moyer Kelly at 408-516-5106, or go to www.familysupportivehousing.org and click on “how to help.”