Community Services/Non-Profits near Silverado, CA

“St. Michael’s Abbey is a rare and beautiful gift. I had the grace of attending Sunday Latin Mass here with a group of over 85 young adults, and the experience was deeply moving. The liturgy was reverent and transcendent - a reminder of the richness and beauty of our tradition.

The abbey itself is breathtaking. Hawks circled overhead, and the soft overcast light in the canyon made the whole morning feel contemplative and sacred. There is something profoundly peaceful about this place.

I am deeply grateful for the Norbertine fathers and brothers and the quiet sacrifice of their life and vocation, offered for the good of so many. It is a true blessing to visit. I hope to return again soon.”

“Very nice place to have a event. It's also a nice drive up the cannon as well. Faculty has restrooms that are clean, playground, entertainment stage and bbq grills.”

“Really a great experience, they truly care about the dogs & finding them the best homes. Mitzy our coordinator did a fantastic job. Can’t speak highly enough about this organization.”

“I was in search of my first cat about 3 years ago when I found Cats In Need through a petfinder listing. I had shown up for a cat mistakenly not listed as being part of a bonded pair but when I got there I was offered another cat that might better suit my needs. She was about 2 years old so I had reservations about behaviors I wasn’t there for when she was a kitten and she wouldn't come out of hiding and seemed hostile to the other cats in the home but I still felt a pull to her all the same.

I was assured if I had any trouble I could call, text, show up to an event, or flat out take her back if I thought I really couldn't handle it. She had been treated for fleas when I had met her but she still ended up with worms that first week. I took her into an event and they helped handle her pill when I was mortified at the thought of holding down my new cat and force feeding her something!

Overall, I felt really safe, supported, and comfortable throughout the entire process and I got the best, most-polite and well-behaved cat I could have asked for. Thank you Celesta for introducing me to my best friend, Clea!”

“Never underestimate the simplicity of a make- up sponge and a Q-Tip and some paint & canvas
A layer is not to cover up a layer but to learn & grow from each layer to bring light into the movement of growth as I enter the next Journey life will guide me through.”

“Our family has been attending shows as well as performing in productions here for the last three years. Each year the theater puts on at least six different family-friendly musicals. It is true community theater in which people of all ages and skill levels can come together to put on productions. As an audience member, I appreciate the small, intimate feel — any seat in the theater is a great seat. As a parent of performers, I love being able to watch my kids develop their skills, make new friends, and have fun (and occasionally I join my kids on stage, too!). My children can participate in these productions for a fraction of the cost that a traditional youth-only theater might be and they have grown so much as performers.”

“I like the atmosphere. Though being totally out of religion, we attend the place for taking piano lessons and often making the walks all over. Zero people around, peace and singing birds, you can enjoy spending time with yourself. Kind of a meditation area.”

“My wife and I stopped by Lodge 2045 after a day of sightseeing in the area. There weren't many people in the lodge when we first arrived but we had a nice chat with the bartender. Eventually other members wandered in, we were introduced as visiting Elks, and we had a very nice time talking with a few of the members while we had a drink or two. Sadly we didn't get back for a second visit before we had to leave the area, but if we're ever back this way you can bet we'll be stopping by.”

“I toured the Christmas tree lights with the Orange County Mustang Club. There is Block after block of beautiful lights. You can park and walk or drive each block slowly.”

“Our pass is 100% worth it! We are here weekly now that I am a stay at home mom. I love how affordable this place is and how they give back to the community. There are a ton of cultural events throughout the year as well”

“Chris was great, and helped me learn all about permits and licensing requirements. Mark was awesome and came in the nick of time for his inspection to prevent a worker from damaging my window frames, and showed him what he shouldn't be doing.”

“August 30, 2022 we went there for Social Security information we are new to corona it was a really good night Lotta good information we also join the Chamber of Commerce to get involved with our community very informative we had a really good time I learned so much about Social Security benefits when I decide to take it we love John it was great and his wife we look forward to being a part of this community getting to know new people and joining the Chamber of Commerce Dan and Christine Williams”

“Leaving a review on an experience from almost 25 years ago:

Van Gogh Elementary School would take the 4th graders on a field trip to the San Juan Capistrano Mission and then they would bring them here to camp for the night. The amount of fun we had on this trip has stuck with me all these years. I don't remember it being a Christian camp but I'm happy to see fellow believers were responsible for all these kids and how God worked through them to give us a safe and fun time at this camp.

Here's what I do remember from the trip: shopping at a general store with a certain budget, searching for gold in a creek, grinding corn into corn flour, being surprised by kids drinking milk during dinner, and a late night bathroom trip where we saw a pair of gold, shining eyes staring at us through the bushes.”

“I don’t even have the words to describe how grateful we are for Christina. I have truly never met someone so positive, kind, and genuine. She helped our family through one of the hardest times in our lives with such grace and compassion.

After I became disabled from a spinal condition and both my husband and I were laid off so we could care for our children, we didn’t know how we would make it. This program, and especially Christina, saved our family, our home, and gave us hope again.

Christina deserves to be recognized for the incredible work she does. She is the heart of this program and a blessing to every family she helps. We will never forget her kindness, and we hope one day to be in a position to give back and help others the way she helped us.”

“Sukyo MahiKari is a great place. Been a member for over three years. The people are kind and helpful and the teachings and light are incredible. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking to expand their knowledge and experience more peace in their lives.”

“Sons of the American Legion Hosts Successful Bunco Game Event on August 9, 2024

On August 9, 2024 at 6:00pm, the Sons of the American Legion organized a lively and engaging Bunco game night that brought together members of the community for an evening of fun and fellowship. The event, held at the post off of Yorba St, was a resounding success, attracting a large crowd eager to enjoy a night of games, good food, and great company.

The highlight of the evening was the Bunco game itself, a popular dice game that is easy to learn and fun for participants of all ages. Laughter and cheers filled the room as players rolled the dice, hoping to win rounds and score points. The friendly competition created an atmosphere of excitement and camaraderie, with everyone eager to see who would come out on top.

In addition to the Bunco game, attendees were treated to a variety of free food options, ensuring that no one went hungry. The generous spread included a selection of snacks, appetizers, and more substantial fare, all provided by the Sons of the American Legion. The food was a hit, with many guests commenting on the quality and variety of the offerings.

Drinks were also available throughout the evening, adding to the festive atmosphere. Whether guests were enjoying a cold beer, a refreshing soda, or a mixed drink, there was something for everyone to enjoy as they mingled and participated in the activities.

One of the most anticipated aspects of the night was the raffle. Numerous prizes were up for grabs, ranging from gift cards to local businesses to themed gift baskets and more. The raffle added an extra layer of excitement to the event, with many lucky winners going home with fantastic prizes.

Overall, the Bunco game night was a tremendous success. Attendees praised the Sons of the American Legion for organizing such a fun and well-executed event. It was clear that everyone in attendance had a great time, and many expressed their hope that similar events would be held in the future.

The Sons of the American Legion continue to demonstrate their commitment to bringing the community together through events like this, and they look forward to hosting more in the future.”

“This ministry does so much good for our community and its people it’s incredible!I went to their annual Gala last night and was so impressed with everything about them. An extremely worthy cause!!!!”

“We had a great experience working with Coastal German Shepherd Rescue! We are so grateful for the support in finding us the perfect fit for our family. Ubbe (Echo) has adjusted so well to his new family and is already fitting right in!

Update on Ubbe! He is 6 months old, and has become an amazing part of our family. He and my 2 year old son are best friends. Ubbe has been an extremely quick learner and has done fantastic in socialization with other dogs and people. Greatly appreciative of the support provided in adoption process. Would absolutely recommend to others!”

“This place is awesome!!
My Daughter has béen going her for years. She gets mad when I tell her it's the weekend and its not open. That says a lot. Shout out to Karen and Chelsea”

“Experience was good. Ongoing communications with staff after the pickup have been timely and very helpful. Records and medical 'To Do List' was very clear and easy to follow with instructions and vouchers for the services.”

“I am so grateful to FWM for helping out people in need in developing countries. If I could give them 6 stars I would. Thank you Jesus for all the good you do God. Blessings to everyone!”

“Hi there. I'm Donny G.☆ Sober over 30 years. I've been going to this club at various locations for years. Going to meetings here keeps me following the path of ALCOHOLICS anonymous ?????”

“Great place when you need help. I see a lot of bad reviews here so I want to give my experience at Human Option's. The program I was in was the Emergency Shelter for DV. I literally just left yesterday after 3 weeks. This is a 45 day program, however I was offered a place at a transitional living program (with the assistance of my worker at Human Options) that had an available room and of course I couldn’t pass it up.Human Options (or any other shelter) does not have a magic wand and will only work if you work the program and take control of your own success. They give you the tools, but you have to use the tools they give you. Be productive, be motivated, be willing to put in the work and you will see results. This is a great program because they let you decide how little or how much you participate in their meetings, and program events.You get your own room and a shared communal space. If you are a single woman no kids then you share a bathroom with one other single woman. Then there are 3 rooms for a parent with children and they all have their own bathroom. All 5 of these rooms in one of the homes they provide (there are 2 homes for Emergency Shelter) You have daily chores (that as long as everyone picks up after themselves isn’t bad, but that’s not always the case). The woman who were in my home when I was there were always friendly and didn’t bother you when you were in your room. No phones on when you are on their property for safety reasons but that’s understandable. There is a curfew which is pretty reasonable, and you have to sign in and out when you leave the property but other than that you are free to live pretty normally without too many rules to hinder your progress in getting your life back together.The staff was happy for me to get into a transitional housing and my case worker Donna always seemed like she really cared about my progress. I appreciate the short time i was able to spend here and it was well worth it. I can’t wait to see what my future holds for me, and this was one of my first major steps on putting the pieces back together.If I have one suggestion for anyone staying here (or at any shelter) is to be involved in making your future. Don’t expect your case worker to waive a magic wand and make it all better. You got yourself here, be your own advocate. If your worker has sent your information to another organization to help you, get their phone number or ask to speak to someone at that organization so they see who YOU are and aren’t just reading your profile on a piece of paper. … you are more than your circumstances and if they are able to hear who you are, what your goals are, and your desire to fix your life you are more likely to stand out in their mind when they are looking to fill a spot.Thank you again Human Options.”