Nonprofits

lic dialogue. Staff and volunteer leaders speak at hearings, meet with public officials, participate in policy coalitions and take positions on policy matters that affect their constituents. In turn, the Council of Nonprofits reports Californians give nonprofits higher marks than business or government in spending money wisely and in working efficiently.

Yet, the nonprofit sector is in a state of uncertainty and flux in the wake of the pandemic and economic instability. For example, nonprofits led by people of color — which tend to be smaller, less resourced, and community-based — face a more challenging set of circumstances. Their survival, and the communities who rely on them, is at stake. However, POC-led nonprofits are leading and participating in advocacy and organizing efforts for equity and justice.

Council of Nonprofits reports that organizations led by people of color are preparing for multiple crises in the immediate future due to unmet survival needs, a resurgence of COVID-19, and policies that criminalize communities of color. Many leaders of color expect that unmet survival needs related to food insecurity, jobs, housing, more COVID-19 illnesses and deaths, and harsh economic consequences will significantly increase over the next year.

This is only a microcosm of a particular set of issues. In the larger picture, Council of Nonprofits posits that these challenges can be overcome through working together rather than by operating separately. The strength of nonprofits is in their collective numbers. They exist in every community, are closest to the problems and understand the issues. For those reasons the council says nonprofits should be sharing their insights with policymakers to help them make informed decisions. Policymakers need to hear the voices of their nonprofit constituents. Nonprofits can’t endorse or oppose candidates running for office, can take positions on ballot propositions, register people to vote, educate people about issues and help them get their votes in.

Below is a list of nonprofit organizations to which you can donate money, time and energy and know it is making a difference:

Harbor Interfaith

The mission of Harbor Interfaith Services or HIS is to empower the homeless and working poor to achieve self-sufficiency by providing support services including shelter, transitional housing, food, job placement, advocacy, childcare, education and life-skills training.

Each year, the nonprofit’s 90-day emergency shelter and 18-month transitional housing program provide residence and support, including childcare to about 450 people. The Family Resource Center extends aid in all areas: free groceries, clothing and hygiene items; rental/utility assistance; case management and individualized referrals; access to medical and dental services; and enrollment in 14 benefit programs. Last year, 31,000 services were provided to 10,400 people.

Projects in need of funds:

The Family Shelter offers residence that provides up to 90 days of crisis housing to homeless families. It accommodates 20 families at a time.

The Children’s Center fills the educational gap for children and gives parents the peace of mind to focus on school or finding a job. Without the program, parents would not have the opportunity to enroll in school or to secure employment.

Despite the precautions that dealing with COVID-19 has placed on people, Harbor Interfaith will still distribute holiday food baskets to households and toys to the children for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Christmas Drive Thru Food & Toy Distribution

Time: 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 20, 21 HIS accepts donations: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 670 W. 9th St. San Pedro.

This year, HIS will not hold the annual holiday block party where donors give gifts to adopted families. You can however still adopt a family. Donations can be delivered to participant’s address or agency at 670 W. 9th St. San Pedro.

To donate toys, food or adopt a family for the holidays, go to www.harborinterfaith.org

Los Angeles Maritime Institute

The idea for the Los Angeles Maritime Institute or LAMI formed when retired science teacher and Coast Guard licensed Capt. Jim Gladson witnessed the positive effect that the experience of sailing at sea had upon even his most challenged alternative school students, even those with dyslexia.

The TopSail Youth Program mission is to use sail training to provide youth with the real-life challenges that would develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to stay in school and become healthy, productive adults. In its 23 years, more than 60,000 youth from throughout Southern California have directly benefited from participation in hands-on learning experiences through LAMI’s TopSail Youth Program.

Opportunity programs for volunteers include: Virtual Voyage, Summer Camp, Topsail STEM Program, Youth Crew Program, Topsail Youth Program and Explore the Coast.

LAMI’s at-sea operations require a lot of dockside support, and it always needs help. There is constant demand in areas including: general boat maintenance; canvas/sail repair; carpentry; marine diesel and electrical systems maintenance; grant writing; web design and retail/sales.

To volunteer, attend an orientation, held on a Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. Check LAMI’s calendar to confirm and email the volunteer coordinator at volunteercrewleader@lamitopsail.org.

International Bird Rescue Celebrates 50 Years

On Jan. 18, 1971, two Standard Oil tankers collided near San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, resulting in a spill that let loose 2,700 cubic tons of crude oil.

Retired nurse Alice Berkner came up with the concept of International Bird Rescue or IBR while trying to help the more than 7,000 birds that filled warehouses around the Bay Area during the oil spill. By April 1971, International Bird Rescue Research Center was incorporated as a nonprofit organization.

IBR’s wildlife clinics are open year-round to provide critical care to seabirds beyond treating oiled wildlife. In 2019, rehabilitation teams admitted over 3,500 birds, brought in by the public and affiliated wildlife groups, between its two California clinic locations. IBR’s focus has been to act toward balance with the natural world by rescuing waterbirds in crisis — since 1971 it has admitted over 125,000 birds and the count conbut tinues.

Since 1971, IBR has responded to 225 worldwide oil spills. It has provided oiled wildlife collection, rehabilitation and documentation services on an assured basis for companies that transport or hold petroleum products. IBR works with local state and federal biologists to look at what animals are in the area at the time of a spill and try to determine what species and how many of them may be exposed to oil.

Scientists are now documenting how this surge of plastic trash leaves a wake of death and disease that directly affects seabirds. In many places around the world, birds feed on plastic floating on the water, mistaking it for food, many times this ingestion leads to their death and that of their young.

Get involved by donating, becoming a member, bird adoptions and volunteering or internships. Adoptions start at $25. Your donation gives waterbird patients a second chance. To donate or learn more, www.birdrescue.org.