Category Archives: Featured

2016 Grant Finalists

Join us on Friday, March 3 at the 100W Annual Meeting & Grant Vote. 2016 members will determine the non-profit organizations that will receive an investment or impact grant.

Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI)

AACI provides services to primarily low income immigrants and refugees.  Although their focus started in the Asian community, AACI helps all survivors of domestic abuse regardless of gender, race, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation.  They offer a variety of programs including primary care health services, senior services, English classes and support for survivors of domestic violence, torture, and human trafficking.

Corbett Group Homes

Corbett Group Homes is a residential program for youth who have been sexually exploited commercially.  Their goal is to empower youth to break away from the enslavement of sexual exploitation and evolve from victims to survivors.  Its four homes provide a safe, nurturing and accepting environment for young people to stabilize their lives while receiving appropriate treatment.  This allows youth to develop healthy behaviors and reach their full potential.

Each One Reach One (EORO)

EORO transforms the lives of youth behind bars by breaking the cycle of incarceration that entraps many low-income youth, especially youth of color.  Through one-on-one mentoring, playwriting, expressive arts, and workshops focused on academic and life skills, EORO positively changes the self-image that often limits the potential of incarcerated youth.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Santa Clara County

NAMI helps people living with mental illness and their families by offering a wide range of support programs, education, and advocacy.  Most long-term homeless people have a mental illness and other mentally ill persons are frequently incarcerated because of their untreated illness.  NAMI provides research, support and advocacy for mentally ill individuals who are often unable to advocate for themselves.

Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence (NDS)

NDS works to end domestic violence by creating paths for survivors to achieve safety and self-sufficiency.  NDS implements prevention and intervention services to diverse populations throughout Santa Clara County.  Their long term, intensive, case management uses the Eight Domains of Self-Sufficiency: income, education, housing, food, health care, employment, wellness, and domestic violence/abuse counseling.

Silicon Valley Children’s Fund (SVCF)

SVCF improves educational and life outcomes of foster youth.  SVCF offers programs starting from freshman year in high school through the completion of post-secondary education.  SVCF collaborates with community partners to address the educational, vocational, and employment needs of current and former foster youth.  The program includes direct services, advocacy, and capacity building for its clients

Got 100 Minutes?

The Archangel Boutique is an annual arts and craft fundraising event that benefits Child Advocates of Silicon Valley (CASA), a previous 100W grant recipient.  This year, the Boutique takes place on October 7th and 8th at 228 Marvin Avenue in Los Altos.  Local artists contribute items for sale and 15% of all proceeds are donated to CASA.

You can support the Archangel Boutique and CASA through your purchases or get more involved by volunteering.  Volunteers are needed for 4-hour shifts to help at check in and reception, wrapping and packing purchases, and making coffee for artists working during the event.  To volunteer, please contact Jeanne Chan at jamcake53@comcast.net

Pack with Pride for My New Red Shoes

This July, fifteen 100W members each volunteered “100 Minutes” to pack 883 gift bags for students in need.  The gift bags were gifted to various agencies that help children and youth in need  including  Riley Center,  Asian Women’s Shelter, St. Joseph’s, Raphael House,  St. Anthony Foundation, and the Salvation Army.

My New Red Shoes, a past 100W grant recipient, provides children and youth with new shoes and a back-to-school shopping experience to fulfill a basic need and remove barriers to school success for children.  Read some of the children’s stories:

Ron – a gifted nine year old – was forced to live out of his family’s car with his brother and mother.  When they came to the shelter, they were relieved to have a safe place to rest.   His family lives with limited resources and Ron must wear the same clothes and shoes.  Ron’s transient lifestyle has led to him to difficulties with bullying, depression, and low self esteem.  This upcoming year Ron is transferring schools, so a new pair of shoes and a clean outfit would boost his confidence and set him off on the right foot.

Often families struggle to provide clothes and shoes for their children especially trying to keep up with the rate in which they grow. One single  father shared that some of his children had been teased for their appearance; their pants too are short and they wear old sandals with socks. Through My New Red Shoes, each child received new shoes and a school uniform. They were SO ecstatic when they received the items.  The following day a professional from the shelter realized the youngest had not been given a pair of shoes and was still wearing his worn pair of sandals.  During Family Activity she called the boy over to try on a new pair of sneakers.  With excitement he wrestled them on assuring her they fit well, but he seemed unclear how to walk in them. It was at that point that it dawned on her that he had never worn a pair of sneakers before.  He walked slowly back toward his father, staring at his shoes, speeding up and slowing down, jumping and kicking his feet up to show off his new sneaks—and saying thank you over and over.