Next Step Forward
September 30, 2020
Which Well-Deserving young woman will receive this year’s Girlfriends Care Next Step Forward Award?
2020 has been a year of exceptional challenges.
There is certainly no shortage of women overcoming challenges that especially need this Award this year!
Girlfriends Care is excited to be able to offer this award again. This is a monetary award to help a woman who has overcome obstacles such as poverty, violence, abuse or neglect take the next step forward in her educational journey.
Applications can be submitted now until November 1, 2020. Please spread the word to any individuals that may qualify as well as any organizations that might help get the word out.Find out more about the award and access the application by going to GirlfriendsCare.org – then click on Next Step Forward Award (or click here).
2020 Jeans Drive
August 1, 2020
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This month Girlfriends Care will be helping local kids by collecting and distributing new or gently used jeans. You know; the outgrown ones in our closets which are still in great condition. Some may look like they’ve never been worn! |
| When: | Drop off locations available between August 1 and 31. Email info@girlfriendscare.org for locations. |
| Sizes: | All sizes needed to fit tots to teens |
| Condition: | Jeans should be in very good/new condition |
Jeans will be distributed to kids in local transition programs such as Solutions for Change, Operation Hope, and, inventory allowing, additional kids in need in North County through local agencies. How you can get involved:
- Have kids gather outgrown jeans from their own closets and set aside for donation those they would be proud to wear.
- Ask friends and neighbors to participate. Either casually, or at a simple event hosted by the kids such as an ice cream social. Everyone brings jeans.
- Support local businesses and consider donating a new pair or two.
- Get your church, club, school or team involved! And set up a convenient drop off location for the members.
- Make a drop box and ask a local business to take donations. Make sure you check the location regularly and empty the box as needed!
If you have a business in Oceanside, Vista or Carlsbad that would be willing to participate by accepting donations, please let us know. Contact Girlfriends Care at info@girlfriendscare.org with details.
2020 Milestone
Girlfriends Support Milestone House
Milestone House is not only a refuge for troubled foster teens, but an entire program dedicated to help them believe in themselves again, and become contributing members of our community.
Want to Help?
If it is in your heart to contribute to the recovery of these girls – you may either
- Go into their site MilestoneHouse.org (letting them know you’re a Girlfriend) or
- Drop off any of their needed items to the dropoff sites below:
Twin sheets
Twin comforters
Towels
Tupperware
Plastic kitchen ware
San Diego Food Bank Drive
For every $1
the San Diego Food Bank can provide
5 meals to families in need!
For the month of June we encourage you to take a moment and watch this video from Alden Domini at Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank to learn what they are doing to help our community during this current crisis.
Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and their North County Food Bank chapter provide emergency food to vulnerable families affected by the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic. These Food Banks comprise the largest hunger-relief organization in San Diego County and distribute food to those in need at 200 distribution sites across the county as well as through 500 nonprofits with feeding programs.
Want to Help?
No need to don a mask and head out to the stores, you can have fun shopping from the comfort of your home! Just follow this link and “purchase” food that will go directly to those in need. Not only can you be assured that you are getting the best price (the Food Bank is able to purchase food at very low cost), but Girlfriends Care will also match the first $1,500 donated.
To learn more about how lives are being changed, watch this video.
We hope that you and your loved ones are staying well and safe.
Helping during COVID-19
As our community comes together during the COVID-19 outbreak, this is a time when our hearts go out to everyone in need. Because our nonprofit partners serve those especially vulnerable during this crisis, and we have been asked what else we can do, you will find below options from some of our partners if you would like to help. Most of the organizations offer the option to donate through their website also.
We at Girlfriends Care hope you and your loved ones are staying physically and mentally healthy during these unusual times.
- Donate online at https://sandiegofoodbank.org/response/ or mail a check to Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, 9850 Distribution Avenue, San Diego, CA 92121-2320.
- Volunteer in one of their two warehouses (Miramar or Vista). Sign up for shifts at https://northcountyfoodbank.org/volunteer
BROTHER BENNO’S
Supplies needed for bagged lunches (Dining Room is currently closed):
- Bread,
- lunch meat
- Individual (lunch sized) snack packages of: Chips, cookies, crackers, nuts, fruit snacks, fruit cups
- Individual beverages:bottled water, sports drinks (Gatorade, etc.), fruit juice
- Sandwich size baggies (Ziplock, etc.)
Donations are accepted at: The Brother Benno’s Center, 3260 Production Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92058 (760) 439-1244. Questions? Contact Jan or Darryl at The Brother Benno’s Center.
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday – no donations on Thursdays please) 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Saturday)
SOLUTIONS FOR CHANGE:
• Nonperishable food items
• Trash bags,
• Toilet paper & Paper towels
• Diapers
• Hand Sanitizer/Lysol/Bleach & Isopropyl Alcohol 70-90%
• Pure Aloe Vera• Hand soap• Gloves (M/L)• Hygiene Products
Please drop off all donations off anytime at 722 W California Ave, Vista, CA 92083
Cash donations can be made online or mail a check to the address above.
OPERATION HOPE
General:
- Liquid Hand Soap, Dish Soap, Paper Towels,
- Bottled Water,
- Diapers (Size 5 & 6), Baby Wipes,
For kids projects:
- Glue, Tape, Paper (Construction or plain white),
- Puzzles, self-guided craft kits
They are also continuing their “paddle raise” from the Gala that was cancelled. $50 supports a family, with services, housing, etc. for a day. Website: www.operationhopeshelter.org
Please drop off all donations off at 859 E Vista Way, Vista, CA 92084 or 3982 Foothills Ave, Carlsbad, CA 920078.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF VISTA
The Boys & Girls Club has been closed except for lunch distribution and their current need is financial support.
Donate Online at https://www.bgcvista.org/about/support-boys-girls-club or donate by mail to: 410 W California Ave, Vista, CA 92083
FAMILY RECOVERY CENTER
- Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Deodorant , Shampoo & conditioner
- Clear water bottles
- Cotton fabric to make masks for the clients. Or if you know of anyone that can make masks for the clients that would be awesome! Other option are Scarfs to cover face.
Contact for Delivery:
fquijano@mhsinc.org
760-439-6702 x 1230
760-579-3275 (cell)
ALABASTER JAR
- Cleaning supplies, paper towels, toilet paper, toiletry items,
- Games, craft-making supplies, puzzles, and art supplies
Donations can be dropped off at The Church at Rancho Bernardo. Please mark them for Alabaster Jar.
Visit their new social enterprise, a venture to hopefully help employ the women they provide housing to. Check it out here
YMCA PROGRAMS– INCLUDING OZ and TAY:
- Masks and gloves
- Bottled Water, shelf-ready snacks
- Monetary Donations
Donations can be dropped off at:
1050 North Broadway
Escondido, CA 92025
Monday to Friday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
215 Barnes Street
Oceanside, CA 92054
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
For more information contact Charity Brant | cbrant@ymca.org
MILESTONE HOUSE
Online donations would be most welcome to help offset the extra expenses of the shelter-in-place order
Donate online at: www.MilestoneHouse.org
JUST IN TIME FOR FOSTER YOUTH
Critical Needs: Gift cards for former foster youth to purchase essential needs such as groceries, sanitizers and paper products
- Donate online at Just in Time for Foster Youth and select “General Operations”. In the “Comments” section, specify that you’d like your donation to go towards gift cards (you can list amount and which store and JIT staff will purchase the gift cards on your behalf) or leave the Comments section blank your donation will go towards their greatest need.
- Visit Walmart Gift Cards to purchase a gift card and have it delivered to Just in Time. There is no delivery or service fee, so 100% of your purchase goes towards supporting youth participants!
- You can also do the same with Amazon Gift Cards. Order online and have it delivered to JIT. There is no additional charge to purchase an Amazon Gift Card, but there IS an additional charge to purchase a NON-Amazon gift card (i.e Walmart/Target, etc) through Amazon.com.
Please have gift cards mailed to (rather than dropping off): P.O Box 601627, San Diego, CA 92160.
MONARCH SCHOOL FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN
- Toiletries,
- Socks, sweatshirts, rain ponchos
- Art supplies
Please donate online at www.monarchschools.org. Click on COVID-19 Wish List and order products shown through Amazon.
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE – SAN DIEGO
- Financial donations
- Meals and commercially packed snacks for families
- Support for their San Diego Raffle with a chance to win a prize!
- Create an online fundraiser with friends and family
Donate Online: https://rmhcsd.org/ways-to-help-during-covid-19/
2020 Got Your Back San Diego Food Drive
Posted 12/28/2019
Help us “Collect a Grand of Food” to Feed the Children!
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That’s 1,000 items of nutrition for Got Your Back San Diego to help in the local fight against childhood hunger! Can we do it? |
“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!”
AND HELP A CHILD GET THE RIGHT START TO THEIR DAY!
- Individual serving oatmeal packages (3 ounce single servings, cup or packets)
- Individual serving shelf-stable milk (8 ounce single servings of almond milk, soy milk, or rice milk not needing refrigeration).
- Nutritious Snack Bars
- Bar Soap (no liquid soap)
Click here for a flyer to use for your own drive.
Donated food items not included on this list will be distributed to other organizations in need.
DELIVER TO ANY DROP SITE JANUARY 11-26! Tax deductible receipt available upon request. To find a drop-off location nearest you or to be a drop-off location, please contact us at info@girlfriendscare.org.
October Meeting
Posted 9/29/19
Join us at the San Diego Food Bank
This is your invitation to join us for a casual GFC Brunch meeting at the San Diego Food Bank!
Elisa Villarreal, Grants Manager at the San Diego Food Bank, will provide an overview of how this amazing organization is working to stop hunger in San Diego County. She will also give us a tour of their impressive facility.
| WHO: | Girlfriends Care, Guys Care Too, Teens Care, and Guests |
| WHAT: | Girlfriends Care Casual Brunch Meeting. Dress is Saturday Casual! |
| WHEN: | Saturday, October 12, 2019, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon |
| WHERE: | San Diego Food Bank, 9850 Distribution Avenue, San Diego 92121
Park in lot straight ahead as you arrive or directly in front of the warehouse. Enter through the main entrance with the large logo overhead. |
| HOW: | RSVP NOW to RSVPNC@girlfriendscare.org AND let us know if you’d like to bring a brunch dish to share. Be sure to bring a friend or two! |
WANT TO HELP?
For our mini-outreach, we’re collecting the following non-perishable foods:
- Peanut Butter (no sugar added), Powdered Milk (low or nonfat),
- Canned Chicken, Tuna (in water) or Soup (low-sodium & low-fat),
- Dry or Canned Beans (low-sodium), Brown or Wild Rice
- Fruit (packed in water or light syrup), Cereals (low-sugar whole grain),
- Canned Vegetables (low-sodium and no salt added)
Tax-deductible receipts available upon request!
Carlsbad Village Faire
Posted: 09/29/19
Carlsbad Street Faire
Sunday, November 3rd, 8AM – 4PM
Village of Carlsbad In front of Linda’s Gifts
300 Carlsbad Village Drive at Carlsbad Boulevard
For more information, contact Carol at carol@girlfriendscare.org.
Carlsbad Cares & Shares 2019
Posted 09/24/19
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
You, your family and friends are invited to join us…
Carlsbad Cares & Shares
In support of Girlfriends Care and our partners, Linda’s Gifts and
the Merchants of the Carlsbad Village Faire Shopping Center
have planned a fun afternoon of Giving, Live Music, Prize
Drawings, Shopping and maybe you’ll want to enjoy lunch too!
Wednesday, October 2nd, 11:00AM – 3:00PM
Village Faire Central Courtyard
300 Carlsbad Village Drive at Carlsbad Boulevard
WANT TO HELP?
GFC ambassadors are needed for 2 hours shifts on the day of the event to greet participants, share what Girlfriends Care does, and assist in the collection of donated items. Sign up here.
Join us at the event and/or donate one of the following items below to help the hungry, the homeless and the hurting for the holidays! Tax deductible receipts available upon request.
NEW Socks! (For LaPosada, Fill-a-Belly, Brother Benno’s, Bread of Life, etc. The homeless don’t have washing machines!) For ALL Ages
NEW Beanie Hats! For those in transition. For ALL Ages
NEW Wash Cloths (For those in transition homes and the homeless)
NEW Toys for the Holiday (For children living in transitional housing such as Solutions for Change, Women’s Resource Center, and Family Recover Center, etc.)
New Items for GFC Gift Bags (For women living in transition homes – 8oz lotions, body wash, journals, pens, costume jewelry, & “girlie” gift items)
Boxes of Individual Packages of Mac N Cheese & Oatmeal (for hungry, homeless teens)
Please come to Care & Share with us!
2019 Annual Luncheon
Girlfriends Care Celebrates 14 Years!
Come celebrate with us, enjoy a wonderful lunch, talk to some of our Partner Non-Profit organizations, and hear stories about changed lives.
| WHO: | Girlfriends Care, Guys Care Too, Teens Care, and Guests |
| WHAT: | Girlfriends Care Annual Luncheon |
| WHEN: | Saturday, Sept 14th, 2019 11:30am-1:30pm |
| WHERE: | The Green Dragon Tavern and Museum, 6115 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92011 |
| COST: | $30 person |
| HOW: | Use this MAGIC LINK for more details and to join the FUN! |
