Community Environmental Council

Image from their website.

Website: Community Environmental Council

Call to Action

In addition to the incredible amount of resources on living a more sustainable life, check out the CEC Webinar Series on important topics such as solar housing, electric vehicles, and addressing the crisis of plastic trash!

Mission: CEC’s mission is to identify, advocate, and raise awareness about the most pressing environmental issues in the Santa Barbara region. Today, CEC is focused on pioneering real life solutions in areas with the biggest impact on climate change–most notably energy, transportation, and food systems.

CAUSE (Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy)

Image taken in 2019 from facebook.

Website: CAUSE

Mission: CAUSE is a base-building organization committed to social, economic, and environmental justice for working-class and immigrant communities in California’s Central Coast. CAUSE builds grassroots power through community organizing, leadership development, coalition building, civic engagement, policy research, and advocacy. CAUSE's vision is that together we can create a global community where we all contribute to, and benefit from, a sustainable economy that is just, prosperous and environmentally healthy.

Call to Action

Follow CAUSE on social media (@cause805) for updated alerts and calls for support on critical issues to our Central Coast communities which include supporting eviction protections for renters, fighting police brutality, advocating for the rights of farmworkers, and more. Donate to CAUSE!

Los Padres ForestWatch

Image from LPFW facebook page.

Website: Los Padres ForestWatch

Facebook: @lpfw.org

Mission: Los Padres ForestWatch protects wildlife, wilderness, water, and sustainable access throughout the Los Padres National Forest and the Carrizo Plain National Monument. LPFW achieves this through education, advocacy, and when necessary, legal action for the benefit of our communities, climate, and future generations. ForestWatch is the only organization focused solely on protecting our region’s public lands, from the famed Big Sur coastline, to San Luis Obispo’s Santa Lucia Range and the Carrizo Plain National Monument, to the rugged backcountry of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

Call to Action

Check out the ForestWatch Action Center website! They make it easy to become an environmental advocate by providing links to email your representative, sign petitions, and make public comments in support of environmental protections. Donate to protect public lands!

SURJ SB (Showing Up for Racial Justice)

SURJ logo from their website.

Website: SURJ SB

Facebook: @SURJSB

Mission: SURJ SB is the Santa Barbara Chapter of a national organization with over 150 chapters and affiliate groups across the United States, committed to drawing white people into the multiracial movement for racial justice in ways that are effective and accountable. SURJ works in direct collaboration with organizing groups led by people of color in our community and across the nation, to whom we are accountable.

Call to Action

Are you new to SURJ or ready to get more involved? Join one of their “Welcome to SURJ” small group meetings. These meetings will outline SURJ’s mission, vision, and framework, as well as connect you with active SURJ SB members so you can get started on racial justice work right away.

In the meantime, you can join their Weekly Action Email list to receive information about specific actions, educational resources, and more opportunities to affect change in our local Santa Barbara community.

Mental Wellness Center

Website: Mental Wellness Center

Instagram: @mentalwellnesssb

Mission: The Mental Wellness Center works with thousands of people every year to improve and maintain mental wellness. They are a community-based nonprofit organization that specializes in helping adults living with mental health disorders meet critical and basic needs as a foundation for their wellness. They offer programs for teens and adults and work to educate youth, families, and community groups about mental health so that we can take better care of ourselves individually and as a community.

Calls to Action 

The Mental Wellness Center’s Fellowship Club has provided a safe space and access to resources and activities for adults living with a mental health diagnosis for nearly 60 years. This holiday season, the Mental Wellness Center is seeking donations of $20 gift cards to support their holiday program and continue the tradition of giving each member a holiday gift. Some ideas for gift cards include grocery and food retailers, pharmacies, and coffee shops.

Additionally, they are currently seeking donations of the following items for the Fellowship Club Care Closet. They ask that all items be laundered and gently used:

• Men’s casual clothing

• Jackets and warm outerwear for men and women

• Socks and undergarments for men and women

• Shoes for men and women

• Umbrellas and sleeping bags

For all donation inquiries, please contact Fellowship Club Manager Carrie Faulkner at 805.884.8440 ext. 3351, cfaulkner@mentalwellnesscenter.org.

Showers of Blessing

Image from Showers of Blessing’s Facebook page.

Facebook: @ShowersSB

Mission: Showers of Blessing, a non-profit organization under the Interfaith Initiative of Santa Barbara brings free hot showers and love to people experiencing homelessness in South Santa Barbara County in order to promote health and restore dignity to our most vulnerable neighbors. Everything provided is free: hot, private shower, socks, underwear, food, 30-day packs of biodegradable wipes and hand-sewn masks.

Call to Action 

In addition to financial support, Showers of Blessing accepts donations of personal hygiene items including undergarments, socks and clothing. Visit their website for more details.

Foodbank of Santa Barbara County

Image by Jacqueline Pilar / Foodbank of Santa Barbara County photo. Originally published by Noozhawk.

Foodbank of SB County - COVID-19 Disaster Relief

Mission: Foodbank of Santa Barbara County’s mission is to end hunger and transform the health of Santa Barbara County through good nutrition. Since Covid-19 safety measures took effect, the Foodbank has tripled the amount of food it provides to community members facing hunger and food insecurity.

CALLS TO ACTION

Right now, their most-needed items are financial donations, volunteers, and homemade masks! To start getting involved, create an account on their volunteer page and "Opt-in" to their emails for more details. Currently, they are most in need of Emergency Response Pre-Pack assistance and Emergency Delivery Drivers in both North and South County. Food donations can only be made at 4554 Hollister Ave. between 1 and 3pm, or at 490 W. Foster Rd. in the bin outside.

CALM - Child Abuse Listening Meditation

Website: calm4kids.org

Mission: “CALM has been a leader in developing a variety of trauma-informed, evidence-based programs and services that effectively treat child abuse and promote healing, as well as programs successful in preventing childhood trauma through family strengthening and support. Services are provided to all in both Spanish and English, at sliding scale or free of charge if needed; no one is turned away due to inability to pay.

CALM continues to be the only non-profit in Santa Barbara County that specializes in the prevention and treatment of childhood trauma.”

(CALM)

Call to Action

“CALM has identified the families we serve who could use the extra support and coordinated with staff to determine each particular family’s needs, then asked our generous supporters to shop for them.”

• Make a donation to the program for staff to purchase gift cards for CALM families.

• Shop our CALM Amazon Wish List.

Healing Justice Santa Barbara: BLM SB

Facebook: @BlackLivesMatterSB

Mission: “Healing Justice Santa Barbara aspires to uplift all Black/African-Americans to affirm that they are deserving of safety, love, equity, respect, and joy. We are a Black led and Black centered organizing collective in Santa Barbara County. Formed in response to the de-stabilizing impacts of racism and anti-blackness, we aspire to build resilient communities for the African diaspora and other marginalized people along the Central Coast.

(Healing Justice Santa Barbara)

Call to Action

• tues 12/8: Demand SB County Stop Supporting Deportations

  Join HJSB at the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisor Meeting to demand that the Sheriff Department and the Board of Supervisors stop all ICE notifications and transfers, and put an end to the painful separations of our communities and families. Click here for details from their Facebook event.

El Centro SB: Support Local Mutual Aid Efforts

Image from their website

Call to Action

• Currently accepting donations for their Free Market for Mamas, Parents, and Babies event on Saturday December 19 from 11am - 4pm.

  • Donation drop off: Fridays December 4, 11, and 18th at 629 Coronel Pl, Santa Barbara

  • Donation suggestions: diapers, bottles, wipes, swaddles, warm blankets, teething toys, pacifiers, new or gently used clothing (size infant-toddler), maternity clothing, ointment, bibs, baby food & formula, sling or baby carrier care products for mama & parents

If you cannot make donation drop off and would like to donate, please contact carepackagesformamas805@gmail.com, direct message on Instagram @carepackagesformama_, or text (805) 617-6863.

Mission statement: “An activist-led grassroots community space located on the lower west side of Santa Barbara that centers people working towards the liberation and uplifting of people of color including but not limited to Womxn, Youth, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Economically Underserved, and LGBTQIA+ communities.” (El Centro SB)

Addressing Food Insecurity

“As a community we have been concerned about the levels of food insecurity experienced by residents of the Lower Westside of Santa Barbara and are dedicated to ensuring that basic resources are redistributed in an equitable way among all members. Through partnerships with community organizations, non-profits, local farmers, educational institutions, and mutual aid networks we have been working to bridge the gap between food-insecure communities and abundant food sources in Santa Barbara county to provide direct service and educational opportunities to empower our community.” (Facebook: @elcentrosb)

As a 100% volunteer-run space, El Centro relies on individual donations and community support. If you want to donate to local mutual aid efforts, please consider donating to El Centro SB.