In the heart of Summerland, a small farm is making a big impact on Santa Barbara County's food-insecure residents. Sweet Wheel Summerland Farm, operated by the Santa Barbara Agriculture and Farm Education Foundation (SBAFEF), continues to grow its mission of providing clean, chemical-free food to those in need while fostering community engagement and sustainable farming practices. Founded in response to the 2018 Montecito Debris Flow that left Summerland cut off from food supplies, Sweet Wheel Farms has evolved into a vital [...more...]
In 2000, Judy Koch learned something surprising about many of the workers in her sheet metal factory in Fremont, California: They didn’t read books with their kids. As a former junior high English teacher now [...more...]
Giving List Matching Challenges
Youth Development
Chuck Madson knows a lot about the possible consequences of believing that your opportunities are limited. A Central Coast native, […more…]
The REACH Fellowship is dedicated to serving low-income, first-generation high school students in Santa Barbara County. It combines traditional college […more…]
When Diego first joined the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County last year, severe separation anxiety made […more…]
The Arts
When Amada Cruz took over as Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s new Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Director and CEO about […more…]
It was just a year ago last November that the Santa Barbara Symphony first took the stage with a rock […more…]
UCSB Arts & Lectures turns denizens of the local community into citizens of the world. “We bring the world to […more…]
Specialty Compassion Care
Camp Chit Chat is a fun and socially interactive camp for children aged 3 ½ to 6 years old with […more…]
It’s hard to overestimate the importance of communication skills for success in life. It’s something most of us take for […more…]
On November 12, 2005, Leo’s life changed forever. After he lost consciousness behind the wheel, the then 24-year-old college student’s […more…]
Homelessness & Housing
Lauren was filled with anxiety the night she was discharged from the hospital. Six months pregnant, ill from past substance […more…]
Housing Works has always been on the front lines of Los Angeles’ homelessness crisis, doing whatever it takes for as […more…]
On June 20th, 2024, New Beginnings celebrated the 20th Anniversary of its Safe Parking Program with a luncheon at the Santa […more…]
Healthcare
Isabella Valencia has always cared for others, working as a domestic worker and caregiver for 20 years while raising three […more…]
When Abe Lincoln, the executive director of the healthcare clinic Savie Health, gets stressed about running an organization, he sits […more…]
Since 1891, Cottage Health has carried out its mission to serve the community by providing healthcare of the highest quality. […more…]
For the Children
Thirty-seven years after its founding in the parking lot at Transition House – where the goal was simply to create […more…]
Over the past 12 years, the Sonrise Baby Home has saved the lives of more than 450 malnourished, sick, and […more…]
Just over a dozen years ago, the Sonrise Baby Home in Uganda was started by a young woman named Damali […more…]
Family Well-Being
In a world where the pressures of daily life can feel overwhelming, many families find themselves stretched thin – caring […more…]
When Rachael Steidl’s daughter started struggling with depression and anxiety in 9th grade, her good grades, sports, charm, and active […more…]
Environment
Attention all seniors in North County High Schools. Submissions for next year’s opportunity to earn the $5,000 NatureTrack Foundation’s Nancy […more…]
NatureTrack Foundation, founded by Sue Eisaguirre in 2011, began with a clear vision: to bridge the gap between K-12 students […more…]
Nine countries, including the United States, possess approximately 12,500 nuclear warheads and are currently spending vast amounts of money maintaining […more…]
Education
When asked why she saved the Santa Barbara Agriculture and Farm Education (SBAFE) Foundation’s farm from development, CEO Leslie Person […more…]
Imagine a high school student in the 90th percentile or higher of their class who is enthusiastic about learning and […more…]
For a nonprofit whose main asset is a modest seven-acre farm in Summerland known as Sweet Wheel Farms, the Santa […more…]
Community Resilience
Direct Relief navigates the war zones in Ukraine to deliver cystic fibrosis medications, transports Mpox vaccines to clinics in the […more…]
A hiker in Santa Barbara’s wilderness hasn’t returned home, a biker crashes off the trail, a runner collapses from dehydration, or […more…]
Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue (SBCSAR), established decades ago by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department to provide vital […more…]
Animals
For 10 years, The Horse Project has rehomed and rehabilitated rescued horses. Today, with the hard work of passionate volunteers, […more…]
The Horse Project Santa Barbara has opened applications for their Better with Horses program for Women Veterans who have served […more…]
If you like stories with humble beginnings told straight from the horse’s mouth, then look no further than the story […more…]
Advocacy
Anybody who has seen a police procedural or legal drama on TV knows that criminal suspects not only have the […more…]
With the anniversary of Roe v. Wade having just passed on January 22, ACCESS Reproductive Justice wants to remind their […more…]
Last Sunday night, actor Clarence Maclin spoke to a sold-out Arlington Theatre audience at SBIFF’s Virtuosos Awards about why he […more…]