Originally an orphanage, this century-old institution is now devoted to the mental health of children in the San Gabriel Valley, offering everything from residential treatment and foster care to in-home therapy and after-school enrichment classes. It provides services at several locations, but its main facility is a five-acre, tree-shaded campus in Altadena. Volunteers help with [...]
You’ll have to be made of stronger stuff than we are to stop by Saturday’s Pet Adoption Fair at Vroman’s without taking home a new friend, and that’s the whole idea. Organized in partnership with the Pasadena Humane Society, the fair is intended to inspire you to give careful thought to adopting an orphaned animal—and [...]
It’s time once again for the annual Orange and Grapefruit sale, brought to you by Altadena Nursery School. Since 1953 ANS families have offered gourmet-quality California navel oranges and Arizona ruby grapefruit, delivered to your door by the schools’ current families. Only days off the tree and priced well below market rates, the citrus is [...]
Founded as an orphanage in 1888, Five Acres now focuses on preventing child abuse and helping victims of abuse. Many of the children it helps live and attend school on the pretty, green Altadena campus; others are placed in foster homes or are guided through the adoption process. Because of the abuse and/or neglect they’ve [...]
The second largest preservation group in California, Pasadena Heritage has played a big part in saving and showcasing the city’s best assets, from Old Town to the Colorado Street Bridge to the Huntington Hotel. It sponsors two outstanding events, the nationally renowned Craftsman Heritage Weekend in October and the Celebration on the Colorado Street Bridge [...]
Supporting public education in Pasadena is the mission of this group, whose board comprises some of Pasadena’s best and brightest. It raises a good amount of money to support the schools, and it acts as a portal for volunteers and for businesses looking to “adopt” a neighborhood school. The summer enrichment program is particularly worthwhile, [...]
As a Pasadena newcomer and intern for Hometown Pasadena, I have witnessed the many ways which the people of the greater Pasadena community have consistently donated their time and money to those in need. While programs and donations for low-income adults and children have recently dwindled in my hometown, Pasadenans continue to give. Keep it [...]
Many of the client families served by Pasadena’s Foothill Family Service struggle on a day-to-day basis to purchase food and necessities, all while bearing the additional strain of overcoming trauma or abuse or facing other mental health challenges. This year, local schools, businesses and community groups are encouraged to host holiday toy drives to support FFS’s annual Adopt-A-Family program. With [...]
Established by a retired teacher and Quaker who saw the challenges faced by young, poor, isolated mothers in Northwest Pasadena, Mother’s Club is a lifeline for many local women. It combines a quality preschool for children with education and support for the mostly Latina moms, with classes in English, parenting skills, career planning, support for [...]
Altadena resident and blogger Susan Carrier, who recently had hip surgery, was lamenting that she can’t volunteer at any A3M bone marrow drives during her recovery. Since she can’t go to the drives, she’s decided to invite local residents (ages 18 to 60) to come to her to register for the National Bone Marrow Registry. At the [...]
