The non-profits of the San Geronimo Valley offer programs, services, and facilities of all sorts. These organizations testify to the creative diversity, mindfulness, concerns and heart of Valley life.
On the list below click on the non-profits you would like more information on. You will find web links, brief summaries of there work and contact info. You can also just scroll down and find all the write ups of these organizations.
Every effort has been made to include all relevant nonprofit Valley organizations. We apologize for any inadvertent omission.
Lagunitas School District
http://lagunitas.marin.k12.ca.us/
The Lagunitas School District includes four educational programs covering grades K– 8 on two beautiful campuses. Lagunitas School, sometimes known as the “Lower Campus,” is home to the K– 5 public Montessori program, the Lagunitas Middle School (grades 6–8) and the District offices. Further up School Road is San Geronimo School, the “Upper Campus,” longtime site of the Open Classroom Program (K-6) and new location of the Waldorf-Inspired Program (K-3 as of this writing but projected to grow year by year to a full elementary program). Throughout the District there is a strong emphasis on classroom aides and high parent participation, creating lower student-to-adult ratios. Each campus has its own creative, community-built play area. There is a quarter acre community garden tended by the students and the Marietta Larsen Memorial Preserve for environmental studies.
GO GERONIMO
Contact: Victoria Holman 488-4148
www.GOGERONIMO.org
GO GERONIMO promotes affordable, multi-modal transportation alternatives and use of public transportation. Since 1996, our organization has addressed the Valley’s local transportation issues while raising consciousness in the community about larger environmental issues of resource depletion and global warming. Projects we have successfully lobbied for and helped launch include Bike Racks on Buses, the West Marin Stage Coach, Safe Routes to Schools, the Inkwells Bridge, and Measure A (the Transportation Tax Initiative). We welcome input from the community about specific local transportation and safety issues, and are available to advocate for improvements and education regarding such issues.
Healthy Community Collaborative
Contact: Dave Cort 488-8888, ext. #224
Nonprofit organizations and local residents exchange information, identify community needs and work together to address those needs, and support collaborative implementation of programs. All Valley organizations and individuals are invited to join. Regular participants include the Lagunitas School District, West Marin Senior Services, Coastal Health Alliance, SGV Community Presbyterian Church, Gan HaLev -the Jewish Congregation of the San Geronimo Valley, Spirit Rock, St. Cecilia’s Church, SGV Planning Group, In SPIRIT, TAPS, SGV Lions Club, SPAWN, Wilderness Way and others. Monthly meetings are held September through June at the Community Center.
LEAP — Lagunitas Schools Foundation
Box 268, San Geronimo 94963
488-9437, ext. #228
President: Janelle Fazackerley
LEAP -Lead Enrich Achieve Progress - is the nonprofit foundation of volunteers that develops, cultivates, and sustains resources to benefit all children in the Lagunitas School District. LEAP accomplishes this mission by fundraising throughout the school year through community and school outreach, including the annual Valley Visions Dinner & Dance, Book Fair, Read-a-Thon, and community pledge program. Through its fundraising efforts, LEAP seeks to build a broad base of ongoing financial support with annual contributions becoming an established custom among Valley residents. Since 1984, LEAP has raised close to $600,000. These funds have been allocated to District support programs, teacher support and appreciation, music, art, and environmental education, innovative classroom projects, and urgent District needs.
Music Savers
Box 849, Woodacre 94973
Contact: Sandy White 488-1706
Music Savers is a community-based organization dedicated to preserving a music program at the Lagunitas School District. It has been in existence since 1997. Music Savers provides funding for after school band and strings. Music Savers encourages parents to organize and volunteer to assist the music teachers at the school.
Nicasio 4-H Club
Contact: Club leader Sherry Mesker 488-9426.
The Nicasio 4-H club is part of the Marin County 4-H Youth Development Program. This club meets on the second Wednesday each month at 7:00 pm, at the San Geronimo Community Center/Room 10. They offer projects in cooking, sewing, beading, woodworking, and poultry. The program also offers projects that are done on a county-wide basis, such as marine biology, restoration, and community service projects. Projects are led by adult volunteers; some projects are also led by teens. The 4-H program offers a variety of leadership, citizenship and hands-on learning opportunities, besides the general club and project meetings.
Rotary Club of West Marin
Contact: Michelle Clein / Charter President 488-9654 ext. 3 or 482-3121
michelle_clein@comcast.net
www.Rotary.org or www.Rotary5150.org
Around the world, there are at least 1,200,000 members in 31,000 Rotary clubs located in 166 countries. Each club is autonomous, non-governmental, non-political and non-religious. Rotarians enjoy fun and fellowship. Exchanges promote cultural understanding by fostering the free flow of ideas and opportunities across borders. Rotary promotes world peace and understanding through local and global service projects. Rotary clubs address critical issues including poverty, hunger, illiteracy, substance abuse, pollution and more. Rotary is only limited by the imagination of those wishing to make a difference.
Safe Routes to Schools
Contact: Wendi Kallins 488-4101
wendi@marinbike.org
www.saferoutestoschools.org
Safe Routes to School is a safe, fun and educational method of encouraging more children to walk and bike to school. Events bring the community together to celebrate walking and biking; contests, treats, and prizes encourage the children to try using their feet or wheels for a change, often turning them on to the joy and independence of individual mobility. Schools organize regular Walk and Bike to School Days and contests such as the Frequent Rider Miles contest and Walk and Bike Across America. Bicycle and pedestrian safety is taught in the classroom.
SGV Affordable Housing
Box 317, Woodacre 94973
Contact: Kathy Bleeker 488-4890
bleek100@yahoo.com
The San Geronimo Valley Affordable Housing Association helps families and other residents who wish to continue living in the Valley in spite of skyrocketing housing costs. The Association currently owns and operates three shared housing units rented to six low-income seniors. We welcome your financial support via tax-deductible contributions or donation of a land parcel.
SGV Disaster Council
Box 802, Forest Knolls 94933
Contact: Basha Quilici 488-9533
www.community.marin.org/sgvdisast
Purpose: Encouraging the community to be prepared for all types of disasters.
Philosophy: The most important key to recovery after a disaster is the planning that happens beforehand. That planning centers around individual households and strong, organized neighborhoods.
History: The San Geronimo Valley has had a formal disaster plan in effect since 1974. The San Geronimo Valley Disaster Council was established to raise awareness, to prepare the community, and to work in coordination with the County of Marin during a disaster.
SGV Diversity Group
Contact: Cory Vangelder 497-8459
The San Geronimo Valley Diversity Group is dedicated to bringing the community together by offering a safe, open forum for participants to shed the hurtful messages we have received in our lives around diversity. The group had its start as an Open Classroom parents’ forum. Over the past 4 years it has expanded and, received a Parent Service Project Grant as well as a Neighborhood Achievement Award from the Marin Community Foundation. We also plan activities for our community to celebrate diversity.
SGV Emergency Fund
Box 242 San Geronimo 94963
Contact: Zoila Berardi 488-1906
The SGV Emergency Fund is dedicated to providing financial respite to qualifying individuals with hardship due to unforeseen circumstances. Our intention is to assist Valley residents with needs that aren’t covered by other county agencies. This fund can cover car repair, pay for a winter tank of propane, or help to subsidize the costs of an illness by paying for adaptive equipment or a medical bill. Our disbursement committee decides awards on a case-by-case basis. This is a grassroots effort to formalize what our community has been doing for so many years.
SGV Food Coop
Box 350, Lagunitas 94938
Contact: Amy Valens 488-9244
The Food Coop is a group of families who combine efforts in order to purchase natural foods at whole prices. A partial list of foods ordered includes dairy products, grain, breads, chickens and eggs, juices, and healthy snacks.
SGV Horseman’s Association
Contacts: Petra Toriumi: 488-4861, Frank Binney: 488-1200,
Cyndi Cady: 717-7848
www.sgvha.org
The San Geronimo Valley Horseman’s Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1960 to promote interest in horses among Valley adults and children. Today’s members are as likely to be horsewomen as horsemen. We work with the Marin Horse Council, the San Geronimo Planning Group, the Bicycle Trails Council and other advocacy groups to actively support and protect trails and open space. We enjoy riding the trails together and participating in community events like the July 4th Woodacre Parade. You do not need to own a horse or even be a rider to join and support us!
SGV Lions Club
Contact: Lynn Archer, LionLynn@hotmail.com
The annual crab feed/raffle is the first Saturday in February. On the 4th of July Lions host a BBQ at the Dickson Ranch. The Lions help organize and raise money to support multiple community activities. Club contributions go to support: SGV Preschool, SGV Emergency Fund, SGV Pioneers, Drake High Scholarships, Lions Eye Foundation, Cancer Society, Heart Association, Music Savers, Valley Visions, Lagunitas School citizenship awards, Canine Companions, West Marin Senior Services, Valley Toys & Joys, Community Center, etc.
SGV Lions Club projects include a blood drive (twice a year), Food Bank donations, Valley Cleanup, Christmas in April and Recycle for Sight. The Lions meet about once a month.
SGV Pioneers
Box 204, Woodacre 94973
Contact: Fran Van Midde 488-9705
11:30 am-2:00 pm Thursday
The Pioneers meet for lunch every Thursday in the San Geronimo Valley Pioneers Club Room located at the Woodacre Improvement Club. The lunch is followed by Bingo, which we play for fun and prizes that the players donate; no money is required to enter in the game, The lunch and bingo is for those 60 and older. A $1.50 donation for lunch is requested, but not required. The Pioneers give two $100 Scholastic Awards in June to 8th graders graduating from the Lagunitas School District.
SGV Planning Group
Box 57, Forest Knolls 94933
Contact: Pamalah MacNeily 488-4738
info@sgvpg.org
www.sgvpg.org
We are a community supported, all-volunteer organization. In 1978 The SGVPG won approval for a Valley Community Plan that keeps our community green, rural and village-centered. A two-year community process updated that plan in 1996-97. Our monthly meetings feature project planning reviews, talks by local experts on our natural and social environment, planning support for individual village projects and programs about the Valley’s natural world. We also organize and promote Marin County Open Space hikes, stream and wildflower walks and the annual Valley Clean-Up Day.
We meet at the Community Center, 6350 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in San Geronimo, the second Monday of every month, at 7:30 pm. Membership is $15 (individual), $25 (family) up to $1000 (Life Member).
Valley Toys and Joys
182 San Geronimo Valley Drive, Box 496, Woodacre, 94973
President: Grace Tolson 488-0454
Board Meetings: 2 times per year
Valley Toys and Joys is a nonprofit trust created to bring the magic of the holidays to local children. We assist low-income families and those who are in temporary crisis. We are funded by wonderful individuals who are suddenly transformed into holiday elves capable of making all kinds of dreams come true. This is a very personal program. We attempt to fulfill the wishes of the children, whether it be a bike, jacket, book, or Barbie doll. Santa Claus is alive and well in the San Geronimo Valley.
Woodacre Improvement Club
1 Garden Way, Box 405, Woodacre 94973
Contact: Carol Foti, Manager 488-0708
Senior Whistlestop: Thursdays Noon
The Woodacre Improvement Club, a membership supported nonprofit community center, is a rich resource for recreation and community events. Facilities include a twenty meter pool, baby pool, tennis courts, a ball field and a children’s playground. Lessons are available for swimming and tennis. WIC also runs several mini-summer camps for children ages 6 to 12. The hall is a multipurpose space with stage, full kitchen, and adjoining senior center. It’s a perfect setting for classes, community events and meetings. It is also home of the West Marin Montessori Preschool, SGV Lion’s Club and the SGV Pioneers. WIC hosts the Lion’s Club Annual Blood Drive and is a local polling place
Marin County Open Space District
http://www.marin.ca.gov/depts/PK/Main/MCOSD/home.asp
The Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD) is the local government agency responsible for preserving public open space in Marin County, California. Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in Marin through the acquisition, protection, and responsible stewardship of ridgelands, baylands and environmentally sensitive lands targeted for preservation in the Marin Countywide Plan. MCOSD lands represent outstanding examples of northern California environments including oak-bay woodlands, savanna, grasslands and salt marsh. These habitats are managed to protect and enhance their natural, undeveloped character while accommodating educational activities and trail-oriented uses such as hiking, horseback riding and mountain bicycling. Lands of the Open Space District, together with Marin’s extensive federal and state parklands, contribute to Marin County’s reputation as a highly desirable place to live and work.
PO Box 103, Forest Knolls, CA 94933
Contact: Megan Isadore 488-1957, megan@ranchoraccoon.org
www.ranchoraccoon.org
Rancho Raccoon provides excellent foster care for orphaned and injured raccoons until they're ready for release to the wild, educates children and adults about local wildlife and their fascinating secret lives with the goal of improving our stewardship of the earth we share, and promotes wildlife-safe solutions to human/wildlife conflicts. We provide Yggdrasil Urban Wildlife Rescue (www.yuwr.org) with foster care and resources for raccoons and all local wildlife, as well as providing presentations on living peacefully with wildlife neighbors and responding to our telephone hotline on wildlife/human conflicts. Valley members feel free to call or email me with questions or concerns about wildlife.
488-0370
www.SeaTurtles.org
The Sea Turtle Restoration Project (STRP) is an international organization working to protect sea turtles and the marine environment worldwide. With headquarters in the SG Valley and offices in Texas and Costa Rica, STRP is working to protect turtle nesting sites, advocating for sustainable fisheries policies that promote healthy ocean ecosystems, establishing Marine Protected Areas, and educating the public through the creation of videos, books, newsletters, and so on. STRP provides the public and students with many ways to get directly involved through volunteer and internship opportunities.
SGV Land Trust
Box 256, Woodacre 94973
Contact: Liza Crosse 488-4939
The San Geronimo Valley Land Trust is a non-profit, tax-exempt public benefit corporation organized to preserve and protect key Valley lands for wildlife habitat, public open space, outdoor recreation, community-based agriculture, viewshed or watershed values. The Land Trust works in a problem-solving capacity with landowners, government agencies and community groups to facilitate “win-win” solutions for both the landowner and the environment. Our approach is to acquire or protect land via conservation easements, land donations, bargain sale of land, and market value purchase.
488-0370
info@spawnusa.org.
www.SpawnUSA.org
SPAWN, the Salmon Protection And Watershed Network, works to protect endangered salmon in the Lagunitas Watershed, and the environment on which we all depend. SPAWN uses a multi-faceted approach to accomplish our mission including grassroots action, habitat restoration, policy development, research and monitoring, citizen training, environmental education, strategic litigation, and collaboration with other organizations and agencies. SPAWN offers walks to view spawning salmon, homeowner consultations on creek protections, seminars, trainings, volunteer and internship opportunities. Not a member? Please join us!
Watershed Preservation Network
Box 8, San Geronimo 94963
Contact: Elena Belsky 488-9341 or Louie Nuyens 488-1734
Info@wpn.org
www.wpn.org/
WPN is a 501c3 educational nonprofit serving Northern California by engaging in and facilitating preservation, conservation, and restoration of natural resources and habitat, with an emphasis on watershed-based perspectives. Educational programs include Earth Harmony, environmental education, integrating natural sciences, cultural studies and the arts grades K-8 summer school program, child and adult workshops; teacher trainings. Facilitation and advocacy activities include environmental training, research and scientific investigation; pro bono advocacy campaign consultation; assistance in watershed evaluations; non-profit networking and resource coordination and other services for fellow nonprofits.
Wilderness Way
Box 286 Lagunitas 94938
Contact: Paul Berensmeier 488-1964, Jean Berensmeier 488-9034
Fax: 488-9034
wildernessway@earthlink.net
www.wildernessway.org
Wilderness Way is an environmental education organization serving the Lagunitas School District, other schools, and the community. The Valley’s unique watershed provides opportunities for experiences that create a deep understanding and lifetime connection to the Valley environment. Activities include hands-on experiences with salmon, steelhead trout, native and nonnative plants, wildlife, habitat restoration and maintenance, and Native American studies. These activities evolve into art, music, dance, literary, math, science and film projects. Current projects, include the Steelhead-in-the-Classroom program, salmon crossing signs, daylighting Woodacre Creek, “A Year in the Life of Larsen Creek” and other film documentaries, and Native American games, uses of cordage, native plants and pump drills.
Gan Halev, The Jewish Congregation of the San Geronimo Valley
Box 280, Woodacre 94973
Contact: Laurie Chorna 488-4524
shalom@ganhalev.org
www.ganhalev.org
Established in 1992, Gan HaLev (Garden of the Heart) is a “post-denominational” congregation that meets to worship, educate, socialize, share, and explore Jewish traditions, culture and heritage. Gatherings to celebrate Shabbat and other holidays are held in members’ homes or at the San Geronimo Valley Community Center. Events throughout the year include High Holiday services, a Community Passover Seder, holiday celebrations, music concerts, book readings, campouts, and special children’s events. Penina Maier Children’s School offers a culturally enriched program of Jewish education for youngsters from pre-Kindergarten through pre-Bar/Bat Mitzvah classes. The Sunday morning program includes Jewish customs, prayers, Hebrew, music, and crafts.
St. Cecilia’s/St. Mary’s Catholic Churches
Contact: Father Cyril O'Sullivan, 488-9799
http://www.stcecilia-lagunitas.org/
St. Cecilia’s of Lagunitas and St. Mary’s of Nicasio have been a presence in the San Geronimo and Nicasio valleys for many decades. Operating as one parish, the two churches each serves its own community in many ways. Both have Sunday, holy day, and weekday Masses, religious education classes, and participate in local food and Christmas toy drives. St. Cecilia’s sponsors a CYO basketball program for the grammar school youth of West Marin. There are also many special events throughout the year that provide opportunities for fellowship. St. Cecilia’s is located on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard at West Cintura in Lagunitas. Sunday Mass is at 9:30 am. St. Mary’s is located on the square in Nicasio. Sunday Mass is at 11:15 am.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
5000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Box 169, Woodacre 94973
488-0164 x 234
www.spiritrock.org
Spirit Rock Meditation Center is dedicated to the Buddhist teachings insight meditation and compassion. The practice of mindful awareness, called Insight or Vipassana meditation, is at the heart of all activities at Spirit Rock. One does not have to be a Buddhist to practice mindfulness meditation. We offer a range of ongoing classes, daylong and residential retreats.
SGV Community Presbyterian Church
Box 98 San Geronimo 94963
Contact: Margaret Krause
488-9318
Meetings: 11:00 am Sunday Worship. Special Community Services held on Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunrise. Call for more information about meal preparation for house-bound seniors, choir, Preschool, Sunday School, AA meetings and facility rental. The Community Presbyterian Church warmly welcomes all who seek a church family home. The church is not a place, it is people who love God, give thanks, ask forgiveness, begin again, share their joys and concerns, have a local and global concern for their neighbors, study and question, and are part of a family wherever they are. We are inclusive and have a special love for children. We play an active role in many Valley and County organizations and events. The choir is open to anyone who loves to sing
Coastal Health Alliance
Box 910, Pt. Reyes St. 94956
Pt. Reyes Medical Clinic: 663-8666
Bolinas Family Practice: 868-0124
Stinson Beach Medical Center: 868-9656
www.coastalhealth.net
The Coastal Health Alliance is a nonprofit community-based organization providing high quality health care and health education in West Marin, to patients of every income level. Patients can be seen at any of our three clinics in Point Reyes, Bolinas and Stinson Beach by appointment or by dropping in. CHA clinics accept almost all private health insurance plans, including Kaiser, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and many more. We accept Medicare, Medi-Cal, Healthy Families and other government health programs. Uninsured patients with low incomes are billed on a sliding-fee scale.
IN SPIRIT
2 Grant Avenue, Woodacre
Box 383, Woodacre 94973
President: Aneice Taylor, 488-0477
Hours Open: 1:00-5:00 pm, Monday through Friday
IN SPIRIT (an acronym for In Support of Paralytics in Real Intense Times) is a nonprofit organization formed in 1987 by Valley resident Aneice Taylor to address the inadequacy of attendant care services available to quadraplegics. IN SPIRIT provides the following services for quadraplegics throughout Marin County: grants for attendant care, information and referrals, volunteers, peer support, circulated equipment, support in convalescent homes, and legislative information and advocacy.
National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers (NOCIRC)
Box 2512, San Anselmo 94979-2512
Contact: Marilyn Fayre Milos, RN, 488-9883
www.nocirc.org
A nonprofit organization providing information to healthcare professionals, parents, lawyers, ethicists, and concerned individuals since 1985. Although we have a San Anselmo Box, our national headquarters are in Forest Knolls.
TAPS (Tina Action Programs)
Contact: Gay Cain
488-9204
TAPS (Tina Action Programs) is a local nonprofit group of women that formed in 2000 in response to high breast cancer rates in our West Marin communities. TAPS has donated an excellent collection of new books and videos on all aspects of breast cancer to the Marin County Library system. TAPS has also developed the “Tina Caring Program” at the Pt. Reyes Medical Clinic, which provides free clinical breast exams with a nurse practitioner on an on-going basis. A “Tina Caring Exam” allows enough time for a thorough manual screening and self-exam instruction.
West Marin Senior Services
11435 State Route One
Box 791, Point Reyes Station 94956
663-8148
SG Valley/Nicasio Area Coordinator: Laura Sherman, 663-8148 x102, laura@wmss.org
www.wmss.org
For over 28 years, our mission has been to help seniors remain safely, and with dignity, in our community by providing a range of in-home, assisted living, and community services that foster independence and participation in our community. Our services include, care management, home care registry, respite care, transportation assistance, meals from friends, an equipment loan closet, employment services, and home safety repairs. We offer information and referrals to food programs, financial assistance, health insurance counseling, home health agencies and many other services, including Community Education and Wellness and the Caregivers and Families advocacy program.
CYO Basketball
Contact: John Beckerley
488-0558,
beckerley@comcast.com
St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Lagunitas sponsors the CYO basketball program for the San Geronimo and Nicasio valleys. The program is open to boys and girls in the 4th through 8th grades. Practices start the first week of November. Games begin the first weekend of January and end the second week of March. St. Cecilia’s also offers an Instructional League for 3rd grade boys and girls. St. Cecilia’s CYO Basketball has been entering teams from the valleys for the past 28 years.
West Marin Little League
Box 1168, Fairfax 94978
Phone: 721-1910
www.westmarinlittleleague.com
West Marin Little League serves the communities of Fairfax, San Anselmo, San Geronimo Valley, Nicasio, Pt. Reyes, Olema, Inverness, Stinson Beach and Bolinas. All levels of play from T-Ball to Seniors are welcome. Our goal is to provide a youth baseball program that is fun and instructive for the kids. All board members and coaches are parents that volunteer their time and energy. Everything we do is accomplished through the support of parents like you.
West Marin Youth Soccer League
Contact: Terry Carlson 459-1850
Box 84. Fairfax 94930
www.wmarinsoccer.com
The West Marin Youth Soccer League is the designated California Youth Soccer Association affiliated league for the San Anselmo, Fairfax, San Geronimo Valley, Nicasio, Pt. Reyes, Inverness, Bolinas and Stinson Beach areas, communities that have wonderful soccer fields and great local support. Our teams are divided by age and skill levels, and coaches evaluate players in each age group and seek to achieve team balance by selecting players from all skill levels. Regardless of skill or past playing experience, all players receive significant playing time and sportsmanship is emphasized throughout our program. Our soccer program is composed entirely of volunteers; we urge parents to actively take part in league activities. Annual Members Meeting for coaches, parents, and referees, the second Tuesday of February.
