This week is National Volunteer Week. There are a variety of nonprofit organizations that serve Santee and the surrounding communities. To help you decide how to give back this week, we’ve compiled a local volunteer guide.
The ABC Youth Foundation offers a boxing program for local youth. Headquartered in Santee, the nonprofit was founded in 1957 by boxer Archie Moore and continued by his son Billy. The program strives to teach “lessons about life, character and citizenship” through boxing for boys and girls.
Boys & Girls Clubs of East County
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego has been dedicated to helping at-risk youth for more than 65 years. The nonprofit has 13 facilities, including a Teen Center, and four school-site programs throughout San Diego County. Boys & Girls Clubs of East County was established in 1960. Centers in Santee, El Cajon, La Mesa and Lakeside serve more than 3,000 youth members.
For 20 years, Community HousingWorks has developed affordable housing in communities throughout San Diego County. In addition to acquiring and developing affordable housing, the nonprofit offers programs and training to help educate residents about money management and credit. It also offers the HomeOwnership Center to help residents and other first-time homebuyers interested in purchasing their first home. Community HousingWorks Realty and Lending is under contract with the City of Santee to administer the Santee First Time Home Buyer Program.
Disability Dream Weavers is a nonprofit organization that provides direct assistance to persons with disabilities. Based in Santee, the nonprofit organization offers an equipment-purchasing program, provides disability education for the community and offers a full database on information and resources for the disabled.
Dunamai Ministries provides services at no charge or discounted prices to those that have experienced a sudden and traumatic death in the family. Established in 2003, the nonprofit organization works with churches, mortuaries, counseling programs and grief centers to offer licensed counseling, financial and credit counseling and credit services.
The YMCA offers healthy programs for youth and adults in more than 10,000 neighborhoods across the United States. East County Family YMCA, which serves more than 40,000 youth and families each year, has served East County communities for 55 years.
The Fraternal Order of Eagles is an international nonprofit organization that has an "aerie" in Santee. The nonprofit promotes “home, family and community” values. Founded in 1898, the nonprofit has more than 850,000 members and more than 1,400 local aeries in the U.S. and Canada. There are also more than 1,300 women's auxiliaries with more than 250,000 members.
For more than 40 years, Neighborhood Healthcare has provided quality health care and promoted wellness to people in the region. Neighborhood Healthcare offers medical, dental and behavioral health services to 68,000 people in almost 270,000 visits each year. Founded in 1969 and incorporated in 1971, the nonprofit has multiple sites in neighboring cities El Cajon and Lakeside, as well as other locations in North County.
The San Diego Foundation provides information about charitable giving and community needs. Formed in 1975, the foundation support a variety of nonprofit organizations in San Diego County.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America is a fraternal organization that was founded in 1868. It currently has almost one million members in more than 2,000 lodges across the country. Like other lodges, the Santee-Lakeside Elks Lodge sponsors youth activities, veterans programs and other community programs, such as the Elks Drug Awareness Program.
Rotary International is a service organization that consists of more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. The Santee-Lakeside Rotary Club was formed in 1960. Members of the club participate in club, vocational, community and international service activities.
The Santee Food Bank provides emergency food assistance to low- and middle-income Santee residents. The all-volunteer organization was established by some of the churches of Santee under the Santee Ministerial Council, which was established in 1984.
Kiwanis International is a global volunteer organization. The organization, which was founded in 1915, has Kiwanis clubs in 80 countries. Clubs sponsor 150,000 service projects each year. For more than 38 years, the Santee Kiwanis Club has supported various programs and activities to improve the lives of people in the community.
Lions Clubs International is a volunteer organization that has 1.35 million members in 206 countries and geographic areas. The Santee Lions Club, which was established in 1990, volunteers in various community projects and events. The organization helps people who are sight impaired and/or blind, as well as people who are hearing impaired or deaf. The Santee Lions Club also donates to local groups.
Santee Santas provides families with food and toys for the holiday season. Four or five families were served in 1953, the first year the program was established. Now, the nonprofit organization serves as many as 300 families in the community each year through its holiday program, senior outreach program and emergency fund.
Santee School District Foundation
The Santee School District Foundation provides financial, material and service resources to the district’s schools.
School foundations, PTSAs and other nonprofit organizations
Many Santee schools offer foundations, PTSAs and other nonprofit organizations to support and provide resources for schools. West Hills High School, for instance, established the West Hills High School Foundation to raise funds to support academics, athletics, arts and activities at the school. The school’s PTSA maintains communication among the school’s parents, teachers and students. It also organizes various events. Other organizations like the band program’s TEMPO support a specific cause. Similar organizations can be found at other local schools.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars is the nonprofit service organization for United States military veterans and their families. VFW Post 9327 is located in Santee.
