Community Services/Non-Profits in Berkeley, CA

“Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto concert was amazing, great performance and only happy and friendly people around. Easy to access and to park. I like the fact that we can bring our
Children.”

“I went for the Choir Choir Choir show, wow, what an outstanding adventure in song and music.
The staff was so helpful, and very professional, especially the lady at the box office named Manisha, who was so kind to guide me and my date to the doors. I can't believe most of all these folks are volunteers, how incredible!
The food and drinks were delicious, so much healthier than usual concession booths.
This was such a fun experience, I hope to attend more events here in the future.”

“Berkeley Hills Nursery School is a truly wonderful place for young children to grow, learn, and thrive. The nurturing environment, dedicated teachers, and play-based curriculum create an ideal setting for early childhood development. Families appreciate the strong sense of community and the emphasis on social-emotional learning.”

“I went to this book store with my mom. I'm not into books, but my mom is a big reader. I think all the books are donated or they bought. My mom bought three books, just for $4.50. Really cheap books. That's my 5 stars.”

“Drop off retired electronic products literally within 15 seconds. No hassles, great that this exists! We have dropped off tvs, printers, microwaves, ...., and many other items over the years. Thanks for being there.”

“I've found some really cool stuff here, including professional blazers, a one-of-a-kind dress, and an REI jacket. No fitting rooms, but that's unfortunately pretty standard for thrift stores these days.”

“I've been going to Guardian for almost a year now - it's not only a place that offers an outstanding array of quality classes in Jiu Jitsu, Boxing and Kickboxing, it's also a wonderful community made of the nicest people you can imagine. The folks at Guardian Gym are passionate about their mission: the gym being a non profit, they offer free training to children, and it's a blessing to see kids thrive there and pursue their passion. Join guardian and don't also make a difference for yourself, but also for them!Edti:I've been going to Guardian for almost 4 years now. Guardian has always stepped up to deliver top notch Boxing, BJJ and Muay Thai classes to adults, and for FREE to Oakland youth with funding from adult memberships.The Guardian facilities are spacious, clean and well equipped, the instructors are extremely knowledgable, welcoming and supporting. They've really stepped up during COVID to still be able to provide some level of training in respect to health safety rules.If you join, you're not just joining a gym, but a community that helps each other grow, on and off the mats. If that is what you're looking for, join Guardian!”

“I always advise people who don't know what to do about there situation to find an advocate to get the best help. HAC is one of those places. Even though the pandemic lessened their hours, they still come through if you are willing to put in the work!”

“Can't believe I've lived in Berkeley 10 years before discovering this gem. Don't be a dum dum like me. Especially now that they have a fill center, and all sorts of fun stuff, friendly staff, and good green living.”

“The David Brower Center is an awesome venue! We hosted about 120 people for a celebration and used the Tamalpais Rooma nd Terrace on a Sunday morning. The spaces are flexible and Tim was a fabulously supportive point of contact as we thought about layout and had many other questions leading up to the event.

Additionally, when we arrived on the day of our event, April made sure to check about the seating arrangements, helped us with a cart to get things up to the rooms, helped with a bandaid when somebody fell and just maintained such kindness and support. Ben was equally present and creative as we got ready for the event, which included streaming the event and having guests join by Zoom.

Highly recommend the team and spaces at the David Brower Center!”

“The food: my deepest compliments to their chefs and especially to their saucier. Their deserts are simply to die for. Every single bite is perfectly cooked. I recently reviewed this place right before I went. They are next level. Clean, friendly staff. How can you make a sloppy Joe better? Two different types of cheeses and one of them, a generous helping of paramajon. Bravissimo! Bonjiurno! Gratzi, gratzi.”

“My daughter started playing soccer last year, and we enrolled her in the ABSC recreational league. She quickly learned the basics of the game and, just as importantly, made new friends. The parent coaches devoted a lot of time and energy—seeing their commitment firsthand gave us a real appreciation for how much goes into volunteer coaching.

This year, my daughter joined an ABSC competitive team. She adjusted well, built strong connections with her new teammates, and together they even won their NorCal bracket! She genuinely looks forward to practices and games, not just for the soccer, but also for the chance to hang out with her friends.

The coaches have all been fantastic. ABSC staff stepped in to train and support her team, making a big difference—not just for the players, but for the parents, too. It’s a real relief to be able to just watch and enjoy the games, knowing our kids are in great hands.

I’ve also been impressed by ABSC’s leadership. Toney, the club director, is approachable and engaged—it’s rare to find a club where parents can easily communicate directly with the director. Toney stresses that having fun comes first; improvement follows naturally, which I really appreciate. ABSC also offers scholarships to families in need, showing a commitment to making soccer accessible to everyone.

One moment that really stood out: at an ABSC summer camp, Toney noticed two girls struggling to keep up during drills. He found out their cleats were too small and immediately brought over a box of properly sized soccer shoes so they could participate comfortably. That kind of kindness is above and beyond.

From a parent’s perspective, I also value the club’s communication. Team managers use an app to keep everyone updated on practices, games, and any changes. The system runs smoothly thanks to dedicated parent volunteers.

My daughter is excited for the upcoming season. She’s also had the chance to play as a guest with older teams, which really motivated her to keep working on her skills. For me, a great club is one where kids want to play, even after tough losses, and where the staff care deeply about the players’ well-being. ABSC definitely delivers on both counts.

While our experience has been overwhelmingly positive, there are a couple of areas where the club can continue to improve:

Clearer roles and responsibilities: For example, during rec, we once scrambled to find player cards before a tournament in Jack London. This past season, the team manager took on this responsibility by bringing hard copies to all games and tournaments, making things much smoother.

Field conditions: Ensuring fields are in great shape is important, though I understand this depends on collaboration with the city and is sometimes outside of ABSC’s immediate control.

Overall, ABSC has given our family a wonderful soccer community—and my daughter can’t wait for next season.”

“I had the pleasure of meeting Angie Fisher, Board Chair, and her husband at WCRC yesterday. Angie’s dedication, expertise, and welcoming approach made a strong impression, and it was wonderful to see the support and partnership she shares with her husband. It’s clear that WCRC is committed to making a positive impact in the community, and meeting them reinforced the organization’s professionalism and passion for its work. I look forward to seeing the continued success and initiatives led by Angie, her husband, and the WCRC team.”

“This is the best gym in town. Memberships starting at $60/month or so and you get access to a great gym, pool, indoor basketball courts, decent locker rooms with a sauna and a steam room, plus great programming for all ages. Since I moved to Berkeley I’m at the Y at least 4 times a week!”

“Free speech is at the heart of this beautifully remodeled television station. Brand new equipment and amazing digital media instructors. It truly has a community environment vibe and I love it!”

“Mel and Paul are the best! I've been coming to Mel for the last 17+ years for help with my little projects and couldn't be happier. They are truly a wonderful resource!”

“My daughter just started at Crowden as a 7th grader. She is a complete beginner in violin but the music faculty has been very understanding and appreciative of her aptitude to learn. So far, we are having only positive experiences. She is learning music at her level, and following the academic program of her grade. Everyone at school is extremely understanding, adults and the kids.The small class size makes it for a better learning environment for my daughter because she is usually very distracted at school. While the school still follows the common core program, they also have art and French classes. Overall, the breakdown of classes reminded me of a more European school, with shorter periods, which helps kids to focus and pay attention in each class.My daughter also enjoys the school and really looks forward to having her first concert.”

“THESE PEOPLE ARE AMAZING THEY LISTEN THEY'RE NON-JUDGMENTAL YOU WALK AWAY WITH CONFIDENCE I'VE TRIED TO USE 1-800 NATIONAL HOTLINES FOR HELP BUT INSIGHT HOUSING(formerly Berkeley food and housing and Roads) have only been there for me so supportive I love them”

“(Translated by Google) Hello, good afternoon. I was perhaps one of the first applicants and helped by this great SJC team, at the moment the friendships that I referred have been benefited. Thanks for your great work.”