CEC Earth Day

One of Santa Barbara’s longest-running community-organized festivals, our Earth Day celebration is also one of the oldest in the country, and among the largest on the West Coast. Santa Barbara is widely acknowledged as the birthplace of Earth Day, as it was the infamous 1969 oil well blowout that kickstarted the U.S. environmental movement into high gear. At the time, the spill was the largest in the nation’s history, a disaster that spewed more than [...more...]

Keeping People and Their Pets Together

Santa Barbara Humane, founded in 1887, was one of the first animal welfare agencies in the country, opening nearly seven decades before the national organization began.  Even though Santa Barbara Humane has been around for [...more...]

 

Giving List Matching Challenges

 

Youth Development

Pismo Beach Field Trip NatureTrack

NatureTrack took a field trip to Pismo Beach and we’ve got the pics to prove it! While you’re checking out […more…]

A Place for Art Lovers of All Ages Santa Barbara Museum of Art

Throughout its history, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art has been bringing people of all ages through a broad array […more…]

AHA!’s Teens Are Fulfilled Adults-in-Waiting Attitude, Harmony, Achievement

A teenager is much more than a preincarnate adult. The average teen’s roiling hormones and fraught search for self are […more…]

The Arts

UCSB A&L UCSB Arts & Lectures

UCSB Arts & Lectures’ fall season was one for the ages, with enviable events throughout the breadth of its programming. […more…]

Santa Barbara Museum of Art Santa Barbara Museum of Art

It might seem disingenuous to employ the expression “a blessing in disguise” when it comes to Covid. But the truth […more…]

Granada Theatre The Granada Theatre

Are you wondering why there’s a whole lot of hoopla about the Granada Theatre 100th birthday beyond merely marking a […more…]

Social Justice

Taking Bold Climate Action Together Community Environmental Council

Over the last couple of years, the Community Environmental Council (CEC) has dramatically increased its efforts to combat climate change […more…]

CEC Earth Day Community Environmental Council

One of Santa Barbara’s longest-running community-organized festivals, our Earth Day celebration is also one of the oldest in the country, […more…]

Inspiring a More Dignified and Humane World Holocaust Museum LA

On a recent morning at Holocaust Museum LA (HMLA), Betsy, a docent, was leading a tour group of 20 LA […more…]

Homelessness & Housing

Ending Veteran Homelessness New Beginnings

New Beginnings has an ambitious and lofty goal for 2025: ending veteran homelessness in Santa Barbara County. It’s not a […more…]

New Beginnings New Beginnings

New Beginnings’ Safe Parking program turned 20 earlier this year, a milestone you need to celebrate. On the other hand, […more…]

PATH PATH

A significant number of nonprofits and other organizations have been working to end homelessness in Santa Barbara and across California. […more…]

Global Reach

Putting Santa Barbara on the Global Map of Diabetes Research Sansum Diabetes Research Institute

Santa Barbara has earned global recognition as a premier destination for “sand, sun, and sea” vacations. Yet, one lesser-known facet […more…]

Providing Much Needed Help. Anytime. Anywhere. To Anyone in Need. Direct Relief

In November 2022, a tornado tore through Idabel, Oklahoma, demolishing dozens of buildings, including the Kiamichi Family Medical Center. It’s […more…]

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation Puts First Responder Boots – and Paws – on the Ground National Disaster Search Dog Foundation

In the wake of Maui’s tragic 2023 wildfires, relief organizations and the goodwill of the world at large poured into […more…]

Giving Paws

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation Puts First Responder Boots – and Paws – on the Ground National Disaster Search Dog Foundation

In the wake of Maui’s tragic 2023 wildfires, relief organizations and the goodwill of the world at large poured into […more…]

Keeping People and Their Pets Together Santa Barbara Humane

Santa Barbara Humane, founded in 1887, was one of the first animal welfare agencies in the country, opening nearly seven […more…]

Foster Care

Wayfinder Family Services Wayfinder Family Services

When Gina was preparing to adopt a baby girl, she experienced a rush of thrilling emotions that comes with going […more…]

Making Summer Camp Accessible to Children and Youth with Disabilities Making Summer Camp Accessible to Children and Youth with Disabilities

“With Wayfinder, we don’t feel like my son has a disability. We feel like everyone else.” This is the gift […more…]

For the Children

Family Service Agency’s ‘Whole-Person’ Approach Provides Life-Sustaining Help Family Service Agency

Family Service Agency’s (FSA) work is the very stuff that powers a vibrant community from within and makes it whole. […more…]

Applications to Camp Chit Chat Now Open! Santa Barbara RiteCare Language Center

Santa Barbara Ritecare Language Center is now accepting applications to this summer’s Camp Chit Chat! Follow this link to apply! […more…]

“Play is Not a Luxury” Gwendolyn Strong Foundation

Victoria and Bill Strong brought their baby home with that mix of gratitude and indescribable joy – the heart-squeezing hallmarks […more…]

Family Well-Being

CADA and the Community: A Life-Changing Partnership Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse CADA

“I think our youngest client this year was 10 years old. Sadly, the age has been skewing lower. Three or […more…]

Family Service Agency Family Service Agency

Seniors experiencing depression or related mental health challenges have a new resource to help them retain their independence and improve […more…]

“Play is Not a Luxury” Gwendolyn Strong Foundation

Victoria and Bill Strong brought their baby home with that mix of gratitude and indescribable joy – the heart-squeezing hallmarks […more…]

Environment

White Buffalo Land Trust White Buffalo Land Trust

Regenerative agriculture has the potential to provide meaningful work and living wages to farmers while feeding millions of people, sequestering […more…]

Taking Bold Climate Action Together Community Environmental Council

Over the last couple of years, the Community Environmental Council (CEC) has dramatically increased its efforts to combat climate change […more…]

CEC Earth Day Community Environmental Council

One of Santa Barbara’s longest-running community-organized festivals, our Earth Day celebration is also one of the oldest in the country, […more…]

Education

Nature, Health, and Happiness in the Heart of Santa Barbara Elings Park

In every great city is a community park that serves as its beating heart. Elings Park in Santa Barbara has […more…]

UCSB A&L UCSB Arts & Lectures

UCSB Arts & Lectures’ fall season was one for the ages, with enviable events throughout the breadth of its programming. […more…]

Pismo Beach Field Trip NatureTrack

NatureTrack took a field trip to Pismo Beach and we’ve got the pics to prove it! While you’re checking out […more…]

Community Treasures

“Play is Not a Luxury” Gwendolyn Strong Foundation

Victoria and Bill Strong brought their baby home with that mix of gratitude and indescribable joy – the heart-squeezing hallmarks […more…]

California Missions Foundation California Missions Foundation

Most locals are probably aware of the best Santa Barbara place to visit every Memorial Day weekend for a glimpse […more…]

Garden of Earthly Delights Ganna Walska Lotusland

One of the most iconic public gardens in the world, Lotusland is a 37-acre wonderland of more than 20 distinct […more…]

Community Resilience

Catholic Charities Catholic Charities

As centennial celebrations go, the commemoration may not be as center-of-attention as that of the Granada Theatre or Old Spanish […more…]

Family Service Agency Family Service Agency

Seniors experiencing depression or related mental health challenges have a new resource to help them retain their independence and improve […more…]

Family Service Agency’s ‘Whole-Person’ Approach Provides Life-Sustaining Help Family Service Agency

Family Service Agency’s (FSA) work is the very stuff that powers a vibrant community from within and makes it whole. […more…]

Advocacy

Racial Equity Fund of Santa Barbara County in partnership with The Fund for Santa Barbara Fund for Santa Barbara

On Tuesday January 11th, 2022, Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved moving forward with Racial Equity Fund of […more…]

Show Gun Safety – Modeling Safe Gun Use in TV and Film Brady | United Against Gun Violence

In the world of TV and cinema, being shot with a handgun often has the fallout of a stubbed toe […more…]

Brady United Against Gun Violence Brady | United Against Gun Violence

Brady United Against Gun Violence, aka the Brady Center, marks its 50th anniversary since its founding. But the organization that […more…]