MENDING LIVES WITH HELP
MENDING LIVES WITH HEALING
MENDING LIVES WITH HOPE
MEND is 3700 volunteers from all walks of life, under the guidance of a small, dedicated staff, providing all the basic human needs vital to day-to-day survival, plus the education, training, opportunities and support essential to transitioning out of poverty.
MEND At a Glance
MEND (Meet Each Need with Dignity), serves as many as 31,000 individuals per month while remarkably keeping operating costs at or under 9%, and is the largest, most efficient and most comprehensive poverty-relief organization in the San Fernando Valley.
A volunteer-based organization since its inception in 1971, today MEND utilizes more than 3700 volunteers (and only 23 paid staffers) to implement its vast array of programs that provide food and clothing; medical, dental and vision care; job training; classes in English as a Second Language, Spanish, literacy, computers, office skills and sewing; math, reading and science tutoring for kids; hot meals, food, clothing and showers for the homeless, and a community wide adopt-a-family Christmas Program.
Although MEND is dedicated to relieving the effects of poverty, its underlying mission is to provide the means and the path to self-sufficiency... to "break the bonds of poverty." MEND provides all the basic human needs vital to day-to-day survival as well as the education, training, opportunities and support essential to reducing, and hopefully, eliminating reliance on public and private assistance. And, it is all done in a manner that maintains the dignity and self-esteem of recipients.
Unique Characteristics
- MEND takes a holistic and humanitarian approach to relieving the effects of poverty with the underlying goal of lifting the needy out of poverty and into self-sufficiency.
- All goods & services are free (e.g. food, clothing, medical/dental treatment, lab tests, prescriptions).
- MEND is almost completely volunteer-based. We currently have 3700 volunteers and our medical, dental, public relations, fundraising, job training, and food pantry services are carried out by professionals and community members who donate their time and skills.
- We have extraordinarily low overhead and administration costs (never more than 9%).
- MEND is totally privately funded (no government grants).
EMERGENCY FOODBANK - Each month, the MEND Foodbank and the Emergency Food Assistance Program serve as many as 25,000 people both on and offsite through 30 organizations and outreach programs. Boxes containing a nutritionally balanced three-day supply of food go to those most in need. MEND receives generous donations from area farms, manufacturers, distributors, individuals, schools, businesses and churches. These donations were close $5 million in 2009. The Food Rescue Program is a vital part of the MEND Foodbank as daily stops are made to area markets to "rescue" food that approaches its sell-by date. Another key facet of the Foodbank are two job-training programs (for Food Service & Warehouse Workers).
CLOTHING CENTER - The clothing center is a crucial resource for families and individuals in need. They receive necessary clothing, shoes, blankets and small household items. Baby items and children's clothes are also available. The job trainees in the Clothing Center gain experience in inventory and display management.
HEALTH CENTER - Dental, medical and vision care is provided by volunteer health professionals to more than 5,000 patients a year. The Medical Clinic includes family practice, chiropractic, acupuncture, and specialty clinics for diabetes, hypertension, women's health, and healthy aging. The Vision Clinic offers vision screenings and eye glasses. The Dental Clinic provides general dentistry (exams and restorative services such as cleanings, fillings, extractions and sealants) as well as endodontics (root canals) and periodontics. All Clinics provide preventative health education, free prescriptions and, if necessary, referral arrangements for more specialized or surgical services. Training in dental assisting and medical office work is provided to those interested in pursuing careers in these fields.
SEWING PROGRAM - The 12-week course teaches participants not only how to make their own clothing, but also prepare them to work in the clothing industry.
HOMELESS PROGRAM - Hot lunches are provided to the homeless as well as emergency food and clothing. A shower program is available twice a week. There are currently over 200 homeless people using the shower program.
GENERAL SERVICES - Volunteers assist individuals in need with information and referrals, food stamp documentation, bus tokens, low-income utilites and tax filing; They also make as many as 1500 home cisits annually to assess needs, make referrals and determine the eligibility for MEND services and programs.
ANNUAL PROGRAMS:
THE CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - Hundreds of schools, churches, businesses, and community volunteers participate in MEND's annual holiday program for up to 1200 needy families. Each family is home-visited to assess needs and the most needy are recommended for adoption by community groups who provide household items and extra gifts. The remaining families - who meet federal poverty guidelines - come to the MEND Center on assigned days in December to select a new gift/toy for their children, receive new blankets and generous boxes of food for Christmas dinner.
TEETH TO TOES - Each year 200 third graders get basic dental screenings, Fluoride treatments, vision exams, and backpacks with school supplies and a new pair of shoes as they get ready to go back to school.
GIVE KIDS A SMILE DAY - Each year 225 pre-schoolers are given basic screenings and Fluoride treatments.
BABY SHOWERS-- Twice yearly, approximately 80 new mothers come to a baby shower hosted by MEND that includes a luncheon, raffle, distribution of car seats, clothing and other infant care items along with workshops on parenting, and other resource information that are designed to support MEND families with young children.
DRESS UP EVENT - Local teenage girls get a complete formal outfit for their prom or school dance. The girls receive an outfit, get their hair and make-up done, and attend a personal development workshop.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS EVENT -Clients are given a complete outfit for a job interview plus a job search workshop.