More Ways to Help
ABILITY AWARENESS PROJECT Started by Shadi Poukashef , who goes by Anami , after her son experienced horrible harassment in a local school , the Ability Awareness Project aims to combat bullying while promoting kindness and inclusivity . The organization has developed presentations for students , parents , teachers and older residents at senior centers , who have experienced bullying , too . Anami ’ s efforts also led to the city sponsoring an annual celebration of World Kindness Day in November . ( kindandsafeschools . org )
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF LAGUNA BEACH One of 120 chapters across the country , the Assistance League of Laguna Beach has a huge impact on the community . With funds raised through donations and the downtown thrift shop , the nonprofit organizes 15 programs , including Chapters for Children , which provides students with apparel for school , and Supporting Seniors , which dispenses technology to aging locals to ensure they are able to remain in their homes safely . ( assistanceleague . org )
CHHAHARI INC . USA Laguna Beach resident Christine Casey started Chhahari Inc . USA in 2007 after she took a trekking trip to Nepal and witnessed many sick and hungry children begging in Kathmandu ’ s streets . Collaborating with a nongovernmental organization established in Nepal by a couple she met on the trip , they helped children to receive a quality education and health care to create better opportunities for their futures . Although the Nepal-based organization closed during the pandemic , a new organization , Chhahari Education & Opportunities , is now being funded by the U . S . nonprofit to aid more children . ( chhahari . org )
COAST FILM FOUNDATION Launched this fall in connection with the Coast Film & Music Festival , the Coast Film Foundation will foster and promote both emerging and seasoned filmmakers that inspire change through the power of film . The foundation will also award scholarships and grants , and give filmmakers a platform to share their stories about key environmental and social issues through the festival , cash awards , events across the country and online . The foundation will also donate to nonprofits that align with its mission . ( coastfilmfestival . com )
COMMUNITY ART PROJECT Designed to spread the word about art appreciation and education , Community Art Project , or CAP , applies donations toward art exhibits and public art pieces that are sponsored by the group . Although the group ’ s permanent gallery at Wells Fargo has come to an end , recent showcases have taken place at Neighborhood Congregational Church and the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center . ( caplaguna . org )
FRIENDS OF HORTENSE MILLER GARDEN Situated on a picturesque slope in north Laguna , feminist and environmentalist Hortense Miller started the eponymous garden of her dreams in the 1950s , donating it to the city of Laguna Beach in 1973 . This group was created a few years later to oversee the property , where public and private tours — as well as special events like art workshops and exhibits — are held . ( hortensemillergarden . org )
FRIENDS OF THE LAGUNA BEACH LIBRARY For more than 50 years , this group has helped make the local library — part of the Orange County library system — what it is by allocating funds for everything from reading programs , college scholarships and magazine subscriptions to scheduling speakers , supplies for craft days and improvements to the library . This institution is also a point on the town ’ s Poetry Trail and hosts its own poetry contest in the spring . ( friendsofthelagunabeachlibrary . org )
GLENNWOOD HOUSING FOUNDATION Offering housing and supported living services for adults with developmental and / or intellectual disabilities since 2013 , Glennwood Housing Foundation also provides on-site and off-site activity opportunities based on residents ’ interests from visiting the summer art festivals to watching shows at Laguna Playhouse and volunteering in the community to learn new skills and develop social connections . ( glennwoodhouse . org )
GROWERS FIRST This organization helps poor farming families in remote regions around the world through training in agriculture and economics as well as health , faith and education efforts to increase crop yield and improve growing practices , including crop diversification , organic approaches and water conservation methods . Growers First also offers micro-loans for seedlings and supplies , life skills training , support for local schools and vehicles to transport crops to sell and travel to school or medical centers , teaming up with other nongovernmental organizations and commercial partners to replicate its successful models of sustainability . ( growersfirst . org )
IMPACT GIVING Based on the idea that greater things can be accomplished together than individually , this women ’ s collective giving organization pools its partners ’ money and knowledge of local and global needs to make a difference by awarding grants to organizations like CASA of Orange County , Be Well OC and OC-based WisePlace . In this way , the group aims to support positive and sustainable social change while also building leadership of its partners . ( impactgivingnow . org )
JUST GATHER Focused on community-inspired wellness events to get children and teens to spend less time on electronic devices , as well as prevent and reduce addictions to alcohol and drugs , Just Gather is a newer organization offering activities such as yoga , meditation , drum circles , dance , hikes , farming , animal therapy , plein air painting and board game gatherings . The nonprofit hosts half-day nature and art retreats for youth ages 9 to 19 as well as bimonthly creative expression and nature outings , weekly in-community pauses to gather and more . ( justgather . org )
LAGUNA BEACH COMMUNITY CLINIC Established in 1970 with volunteer physicians to provide medical care to low-income and uninsured OC residents , and known for its groundbreaking work in HIV / AIDS testing and treatment in the 1980s , the Laguna Beach Community Clinic has grown over the years , now providing a full spectrum of low-cost medical and preventative health services for people of all ages . Private health insurance is accepted and sliding fee discounts are offered . ( lbclinic . org )
LAGUNA BEACH CULTURAL ARTS CENTER Art , poetry , theater , music , dance and cinema come together at this new cultural institution , which hosts regular events at its Forest Avenue center . The nonprofit also launched its own broadcast TV channel during the pandemic , followed by a music school with classes in songwriting , guitar , vocals and more . ( lbculturalartscenter . org )
LAGUNA BEACH FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION The Laguna Beach Firefighters Association represents the firefighters and paramedics that keep locals safe .. The association also operates the Laguna Beach Firefighters Community Assistance Fund , a nonprofit that helps locals who have been displaced by a fire or flood with gift cards for essential items that they may not be able to afford on their own . ( lbffa . org )
LAGUNA BEACH HISTORICAL SOCIETY Ever since plein air painters made Laguna ’ s landscapes famous in the early 1900s , it has been a haven for famous Hollywood actors to stay , play and sometimes even live . From the annual summer art festivals to special milestones and the notable people who helped to shape this community , the Laguna Beach Historical Society collects and archives the rich local history surrounding the town while also sharing materials to educate others . ( lagunabeachhistory . org )
LAGUNA BEACH POLICE FOUNDATION The local police department is the main focus of the Laguna Beach Police Foundation , with donations going toward specialized equipment , training and development , wellness services and counseling , and more . In addition to improving policing , the foundation raises funds for community events and charities like the Boys & Girls Club , the Police K-9 Unit and the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Southern California . ( lagunapolice . com )
LAGUNA BEACH SISTER CITIES ASSOCIATION Best known for the annual Fête de la Musique , this all-volunteer nonprofit was created to maintain relationships with Laguna ’ s sister cities : Menton , France ; St . Ives , England ; and San Jose del Cabo , Mexico . While the town is filled with music and dance during the festival , the group hosts other events within the cities mentioned as well . ( lagunabeachsistercities . com )
LAGUNA REAL ESTATE / CHARITABLE ASSISTANCE FUND Founded in 2004 , this organization raises money to donate to local nonprofits to help support their missions as well as to Realtors and affiliate members to assist in times of financial , medical and local disaster hardship . The group ’ s two main fundraisers include A Taste for Charity and the Pet Parade and Chili Cook-Off ; although on hiatus during the pandemic , these events are scheduled to resume in 2023 . ( lre-caf . com )
MACGILLIVRAY FREEMAN FILMS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION Through the power of Imax films and educational outreach programs at museums , the MacGillivray Freeman Films Educational Foundation inspires and empowers audiences around the globe to be ambassadors for science , the ocean and preservation of the environment . The nonprofit was founded in 2004 to produce giant-screen movies that help the public to better understand these natural wonders and the world ’ s many cultures . ( mffeducation . org )
LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE 49