NOVATO VOLUNTEER & ACTIVISM OPPORTUNITIES
  
The following section features some important efforts occurring in our city and ways you can get involved and support them. We hope this list inspires you! It's only a partial listing of the many agencies/efforts located in Novato focusing on serving our community.

City Of Novato Independent Elders Program (NEIP) is a local coalition formed in 1990 which, through community partnerships, works to “identify, develop, and enhance services to seniors with a focus on the isolated, frail, and multicultural older adults in Novato”. Services are provided in order to support seniors' ability to remain living independently in their own homes. NIEP is a partnership program between the City of Novato and Marin Community Foundation. Its programs are “developed within a coalition of concerned citizens, local businesses and other local agencies involved in senior services who come together to identify areas of concern and develop programs to address those areas”. All NIEP programs depend on partnerships with the community and on volunteers to carry out the work.

Some of the on-going NEIP services currently offered include: home delivered groceries for elderly Novato residents who are unable to shop for themselves; basic yard maintenance for low income, isolated and/or disabled seniors who need assistance; disaster preparedness training; housing information on senior-housing options in Novato; Golden Days Cafe, serving a hot; balanced lunch for seniors 60+ for just $1.50; and Alma Latina, a monthly potluck social and informational gathering for Spanish-speaking seniors 

NEIP relies on volunteers and currently needs them to serve lunch at Golden Days Cafe, Margaret Todd Senior Center, 1560 Hill Road, Novato. Open M-F. Volunteers may work one or two days a week preparing the dining site, serving food or packaging meals to be delivered. For more information on NEIP, to recieve their services or to volunteer, contact Carol Anne Moore: 415-899-8296. En Espanol: Ross Reyes Dizon: 415-899-8297. To learn more about coming NEIP specialty workshops (Alma Latina Programa en Espanol), see www.cityofnovato.org/prcs for link to NEIP services.

Marin Community Clinic (MCC) is a non-profit agency providing comprehensive, quality primary healthcare to low-income and uninsured County residents. The MCC has two clinic sites, one in Greebrae and one in Novato. During 2005, the agency had over 50,000 patient visits. All medical staff at the clinic are highly qualified professionals who have chosen to work with those in need. The clinic functions like a regular medical practice, with patients returning to see their chosen primary care-provider whenever possible. Convenient night and weekend hours are provided for both adult and pediatric patients. Client fees are based on family size and income. The average uninsured patient pays $35 per visit, much less than the cost of providing service. Government insurance assists qualified patients. Patients are not turned away because of inability to pay. The Novato clinic is located at 400 Professional Center Dr., Suite 424, 415-448-1555, E-mail: jmadison@marinclinic.org. Schedule an appointment or contact the advice line at 415-448-1500. Twenty- four hour phone advice for established patients is available through this number. 

The Marin Community Clinic could not survive without the help of the community. Donations of all kinds are accepted. You can donate online by going to the clinic website www.marinclinic.org and clicking the icon for JustGive.org (located with the You Can Help tab). For donations of clothing, supplies and books, contact Jill Madison, Development Director, e-mail jmadison@marinclinic.org or phone 415-448-1563. To donate your time for Medical Care, contact Georgianna Farren, M.D. at 415-448-1566 or gfarren@marinclinic.org Business/office and mailing address is: 300 Professional Center Drive, Suite 311, Novato, CA 94947

The Novato Advance.
Have a strong opinion? Want it publicly aired? Be a part of your city’s voice – write a letter to our local paper, The Novato Advance. Letters to the editor must be typed and signed and include your address and phone number. Deadline to get your letter in the following Wednesday paper is the previous Friday by 5 pm. E-mailed letters (encouraged): advanceletters@novatoadvance.com Fax letters: 415-897-0904, Mail:
The Novato Advance, P.O. Box 8, Novato 94948, or drop off at their office: 1068 Machin Avenue, Novato. The paper, published every Wednesday, is available at newstands or by subscription, and including letters is also now on-line: Novatoadvance.com. The Advance provides a unique weekly opportunity to read about what is happening in our city!  

Novato Human Needs Center:
"Neighbor Helping Neighbor". The Novato Human Needs Center (NHNC) helps low-income people in Novato overcome personal crises and move toward self-sufficiency. A community-based nonprofit agency, NHNC provides a full range of supportive services for individuals and families including: emergency food, clothing and housing assistance and small grant loans; employment readiness and job placement services; information and referrals; and transportation services. Founded in 1972, the Center now assists more than 3,000 residents each year. 

Through a philosophy of “Neighbor Helping Neighbor”, the Center links volunteers who want to help with people who are struggling to make ends meet. All services are provided in the “spirit of dignity and respect.” Supporting the fundamental belief that every person has a right to adequate food, shelter, clothing and health care, NHNC provides comprehensive case management to low-income families through “Families Reaching Economic Empowerment” providing intensive support to assist families to overcome barriers to self-sufficiency and build earning capacity, and “Amigos de la Familia” provides in-home support for families under stress. NHNC also offers handicapped-accessible transportation for seniors and disabled adults and educational services including English as a Second Language classes, voter education, civic engagement and legal clinics. Additionally, “Holiday Share” provides food and toys for more than 500 families during the holiday season and the Second Center Thrift Shop provides free good to clients in need. Its sales to the public support the Center’s many programs.

Some of the ways that you can support Novato Human Needs Center is by shopping at and/or donating to the Second Center Thrift Shop, 415-892-2172, 1523 South Novato Blvd, making a tax-deductible $ donation to the Center or gift/food to Holiday Share, and by volunteering to help support their many programs. To learn more about the center and ways you can contribute/volunteer: www.nhnc.org or contact them at 415-897-4147

The Novato Live Well Network.
Now up and running! Are you interested in school food issues? Does the idea of a Novato Community Garden excite you? Would you like to see another Novato Eat Well Festival? Do you have questions and concerns about food and the environment? Would you like your children to be educated on the importance of nutrition and fitness, and of developing better eating habits? If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, the newly formed non-profit organization, the "Novato Live Well Network," may be of interest to you. Learn more by visiting their website: www.NovatoLiveWell.org, or call 415-897-2302. Email NovatoLiveWell@comcast.net to join their e-mailing list, ask questions, and get involved.
 
Novato Live Well Network grew out of two projects: Lunch Buddies program <http://www.novatolivewell.org/schoolkitchens.html> and 2006 Novato Eat Well Festival <http://www.novatolivewell.org/events.html> , both led by Veronica Valero, founder of Novato Healthy Food Coalition, and Miguel Villarreal, Director of Food and Nutrition Services (FANS), Novato Unified School District – and with the support of many volunteers. The new group will broaden previous efforts, further connect the dots on sustainability issues, and continue to collaborate with others to achieve greater results. Novato Live Well aims to "work with and educate families, schools, and our community about the positive benefits of choosing sustainable ways of eating, gardening and living." The idea is: bring people to the table to 1) share what we have learned; 2) have an open dialog regarding the issues; 3) collaborate to find creative solutions; 4) advocate where change is necessary; and 5) provide educational opportunities.

Here are current/planned activities (to learn more, go to www.NovatoLiveWell.org or call 415-897-2302):
 1. SCHOOL FOOD & THE LUNCH BUDDIES PROGRAM: Work with children, staff and parents to improve school food and the school lunch environment, and provide nutrition education.
 2. NOVATO EAT WELL FESTIVAL: A free food festival delight. Taste free samples of great healthy food provided by local food vendors and cooking demonstrations. The event includes nutrition speakers and children's activities. The 2007 event is planned for mid-spring.
 3. NOVATO COMMUNITY GARDENS: Does the idea of growing fruits, vegetables AND a sense of neighborliness and community excite you? Join the conversation with the Novato Community Garden Committee and be a part of a grassroots effort. We've planted the seeds: help us water it, nurture it, and help it grow! For more info call Karen Losee (707) 217-8641.
 4. NUSD/FANS WELLNESS POLICY: Advocacy for the policy adopted June 2006.
 5. SUSTAINABLE FOOD: Advocating for the purchasing of local and sustainable food.
 6. THE SCHOOL GARDEN CONNECTION: School gardens can help children, families and community members connect with the source of the food that is found on their plates.

Novato Public Access TV (NPAT):
Do it Yourself Television. NPAT, “Community Television Made Accessible to All”, is a wonderful Novato resource that brings us a valuable, diverse array of community-based and informational television programs on three local channels: 26 (public), 27 (government), 30 (education). Located at NUSD's District Office,1015 7th Street, NPAT has expanded its hours in order to better serve the Novato community. In addition to M-F 2-7 pm hours, NPAT now opens on Saturdays for studio production.
 
In 2005 NPAT recorded a record number of volunteer hours. The majority of assistance came from local Novato high schools. Last year, however, many other members of the Novato community pulled together to increase the productivity of this important community resource. They logged 1,262 hours of volunteer service. Once again, NPAT is looking for volunteers/interns in a variety of areas. If you have an interest in video production, editing, studio lighting, stage design or graphic design, please give NPAT a call: 415-209-6713 or email: rtucker@npat.org 

NovatoSpirit is a new non-profit in our community that helps Novato families who qualify as “extremely low-income” to participate in certain healthy after-school activities in Novato. Children/youths ages 7-18, from families with financial need who previously couldn’t afford many of Novato’s after-school activities now have a way to participate in martial arts, dance and soccer classes/programs through a scholarship from NovatoSpirit. Eligible families can apply for scholarships to programs provided by Ito’s White Tiger, Kyung Ki Tae Know Do, The Novato Youth Soccer Association, Novato Youth Center (indoor soccer), Jan Ta School of Dance, Love2Dance, and City of Novato Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department (various dance programs). Scholarships range from $100-$1,000 per child per year. Scholarship application forms are available at: Novato Youth Center, The Novato Human Needs Center, and the NovatoSpirit office (address below).

Your generous donation allows for more kids to be served. Contact the NovatoSpirit office Scholarship Program, c/o The UPS Store, 936 7th Street, Suite B, PMB 236, Novato, 94945. Or call Executive Director, Marian Schinske at 892-5118. 

Other Novato programs that offer financial assistance for various recreational activities are City of Novato Parks, Recreation and Community Services and Marin YMCA. Novato’s Parks and Recreation Department offers financial assistance for many after-school, cultural and summer activities. Financial assistance is awarded on the basis of need; eligible families receive $200 per family per year. For more info: 415-899-8200. Marin YMCA also offers financial assistance to families on the basis of need; typically the family pays $30 and the YMCA, 70%. This may apply to after-school care/summer care at Novato’s YMCA sites. Novato Youth Center (see below) also has some scholarships available for after school care. As with the NovatoSpirit program, your donations to the above agencies allows those kids from families with limited financial ability to have the opportunity to enjoy, learn and be enriched by after school and summer activities.

Novato Wellness Center (NWC) is a new project of the Novato Youth Wellness Collaborative (NYWC), opened its doors in October. Established in response to a tremendous gap in health services for youth in Novato, the NWC, at 1767 Grant Avenue (Ideal/Longs/Albertson shopping center), offers an array of services to help to close that gap, including a weekly drop-in wellness clinic targeting youth ages 12-19. The clinic offers reproductive health services, case management, mental health services, drug and alcohol counseling, and nutritional education, with bilingual and bicultural youth and adult staff. The Center also includes a weekly dental clinic, mental health services, parent/child interactive therapy, drinking driver program group and other much needed health services.

The mission of the NYWC is to provide young people in Novato with a full spectrum of accessible resources and opportunities that promote their physical, intellectual and emotional well-being. Youth development is an integral component, with participants incorporated in every level of NYWC’s efforts, from outreach and governance to delivery and evaluation of services. Funded by a variety of foundations, NWC also relies on the generosity of many individuals. To learn more about getting involved, contact Melissa Fike, Coordinator, NYWC, 415-898-100, ext. 304 or mfike@novato.net

Novato Youth Center provides a full range of activities and programs for children and families in North Marin. Committed to “nurture, protect and educate our youth”, Youth Center has responded to the ever-changing needs of our community since 1976. It provides childcare and parent support services: childcare from infancy to age 14; tutoring for all ages; licensed family counseling; parenting programs; outreach to the diverse cultural families of our community, and scholarships and encouragement for families seeking self-sufficiency. Programs include Parent Project, Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Parents in Action/Parent Vision Team, School Readiness, Novato Youth Wellness Collaborative (sponsoring the new Novato Wellness Center). Novato Youth Center’s services and programs offer both quality and affordability. 

NYC is a community effort fueled 30 years ago by parents' vision that Novato's youth needed a safe and dynamic haven of their own. NYC believes all children and youth have talents and strengths and the right to lead healthy, happy lives. NYC aims to mobilize the community and support families to respect, nurture and guide young people, through advocacy and services for children and youth.

There are several easy ways for you to support this very important Novato resource: Turning your grocery bills into cash for the Youth Center; participating in “Adopt a Family” (the Youth Center has many low-income families in need of financial support for childcare, counseling and tutoring – this is especially true of families working towards self-sufficiency but earning too much to qualify for adequate scholarship assistance); and contributing individual donations – always welcome – to support scholarships for childcare, counseling, sports and tutoring. To learn more about Novato Youth Center, see novatoyouthcenter.org. Click on “Contact Us” to get appropriate email and phone number and learn ways you can support the Youth Center.

No Wetlands Landfill Expansion (NWLE) has teamed up with Sierra Club Marin Group, Madrone Audubon of Sonoma, Novato Democratic Club, Central Democratic Committee of Marin, Sustainable Marin, Sustainable Novato and Bay Keepers to petition Marin County Board of Supervisors to exercise their authority over land use in the county to impose appropriate conditions on the landfill, the 1958 land use permit for which is woefully out of date. NWLE coalition is against the expansion of the Redwood Landfill and is awaiting the response to comments on the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) which may be published in January. Once it's published, a 45-day clock is started, during which the Board of Supervisors has promised a public meeting on the future of the landfill, and the end of which will be a hearing before the Planning Commission on the FEIR itself and whether it should be certified as complete, meaning all potentially negative environmental impacts have been addressed. 

Five key reforms are necessary: (1) a load-tipping mitigation fee to fund an independent monitor and site development to create a reuse and recovery park, (2) a paid community monitor to perform independent testing and investigate when events occur, such as the December 18 failure of one of the landfill's levees separating it from the adjacent marshland, (3) post-closure financial assurance in the form of insurance or bonding so that taxpayers don't have to foot the bill for an environmental clean-up after the landfill closes its doors in 20-30 years, (4) diversion of green waste and organics that currently are dumped into the landfill everyday resulting in methane (a greenhouse) gas forming under the pile which contributes greatly to global warming, and (5) measures to assure seismic and flood stability including a re-built levee.

How you can help: Public pressure is working, but the NWLE coalition needs more volunteers to show-up and participate at key meetings. Please call Christopher Gilkerson if you’re interested in learning more or in helping out with this effort: 415-209-9616. Your tax deductible donation, made through the website noexpansion.org, is another way you can help support no-expansion efforts. http://www.noexpansion.org 

The Olompali People is the nonprofit volunteer support organization for Olompali State Historic Park, “working in partnership with California State Parks to interpret, preserve, protect, enhance, and develop for public use, appreciation and enjoyment, the natural and aesthetic values of Olompali.” Established in 1983,The Olompali People is “dedicated to enhancing the educational and interpretive sites and programs at Olompali.” Volunteer opportunities are available including: staffing the Park's Visitor Center, working on the Native Plant Garden Projects, and Coast Miwok Village Restoration and Trail Maintenance
 
The Olompali People is developing a Native Cultural Interpretive Plant program at the Coast Miwok Village nestled in the hills of Olompali State Park in Novato. The garden will be used to educate park visitors on the use of native plants by Native Americans that inhabited the region years ago. The Coast Miwok Village can trace 8000 years of continuous use by inhabitants and is a designated Historical American Landscape Survey Site. If you’d like to join this effort park volunteer days are the second Sunday of each month from 10 am-2 pm. The work will aim at setting up an ethnobotanical garden that demonstrates Indian uses of native plants. Volunteers will also be working on restoring the Miwok village itself beginning in February 2007 with construction of the willow kotcha (dwelling). Take Hwy. 101 north, use overpass at Redwood Landfill in Novato to go back south on Hwy 101 to Olompali State Park exit. Leave a "Miwok/volunteer" note on your dashboard to avoid a parking fee. Follow trail markers to Coast Miwok village. Tools will be supplied but bring your gloves, water and sunscreen. For more info, contact Clint at 415-892-7151, www.volunteersolutions.org/marin/org/14899193.html

PeaceNovato unites Novatans seeking to "engage our community in conversations about social justice, the environment, and nonviolent means of addressing conflicts.” The group is dedicated to 1) educating themselves and neighbors on issues by providing information (Peace tools); 2) sustaining and enhancing Novato's environment; 3) increasing reverence for all forms of life on the planet; 4) restoring freedoms that have been curtailed in the name of combating terrorism, and preventing further erosion of our constitutional rights; 5) better understanding the responsibilities, as well as the privileges, of citizenship; 6) maintaining diversity in all forms as a strength, and a source of health for our community and country; and 7) maintaining open minds, listening with respect, and learning from opposing view points.

PeaceNovato continues their year-round peace vigils (see winter schedule in event section - January 5) and their PAPER CRANE REMEMBRANCE PROJECT. In Japan, and other parts of Asia, paper cranes, symbols of good fortune and longevity, were presented at weddings and other special occasions. Since Hiroshima and the creation of the Hiroshima memorial, the crane has acquired additional significance: Hope for Peace and Healing. PeaceNovato began folding paper cranes, one for each American and Allied service person killed in Iraq. Each crane is inscribed with the name of a service member in honor of a life that ended too soon. Volunteers are needed to help fold cranes and to help display them during certain events (like the Novato July 4th parade). If you would like to join in this effort, contact Don (415-897-0516) or Julie (415-883-8324) See how to get involved/support the group at WWW.PEACENOVATO.5U.COM

School Fuel serves as the primary district-wide nonprofit fundraising organization for the Novato Unified School District (NUSD). It works in partnership with schools and parents to identify and support programs that benefit all students in the District. SCHOOL FUEL's mission is “to support and enrich the education available to every student in the Novato Unified School District by raising funds, encouraging volunteerism and increasing community awareness of student and district needs”. SCHOOL FUEL supports public education in Novato by raising funds for programs essential to a well balanced, stimulating and quality education; volunteers from every part of our community are encouraged to become involved in the education of Novato’s youth. By bringing Novato residents into our public schools, SCHOOL FUEL supports not only the education of our young people but also the vitality of our city. Through informational materials and meetings, SCHOOL FUEL hopes to more thoroughly educate the residents of Novato about public school funding, school district accountability to the State and Federal governments, and the intricate structure of funding and expenditures within the NUSD.

You can support SCHOOL FUEL in a variety of ways. To learn more, see novatoschoolfuel.org. Donate to an upcoming silent auction on January 20 (see above events calendar). Get your children involved with Art Smart Showcase 2007!: NUSD students are invited to submit work now – creative and fine – for the 2007 School Fuel Art Smart Showcase to be held March 15-25, 2007. All types of works are encouraged including paintings, photography, creative writing, poetry, metal work, sculpture, etc. Two Performance Nights have been included this year for students to recite original written work (poetry, short stories, etc.), perform short skits or monologues, perform music, or any other creative performance.

For further information concerning the many ways you can volunteer, donate, or for general inquiries, please e-mail SCHOOL FUEL at info@nfpe.org; phone 415-883-4262 X117; or write SCHOOL FUEL - The Novato Foundation for Public Education, 448 Ignacio Boulevard, #410, Novato, CA 94949. http://www.novatoschoolfuel.org
 
Sustainable Novato wants Novato to be sustainable, prosperous and self-reliant over the very long term. That means embedding environmental protection in a vigorous localized economy and inclusion of social justice and cooperation in the city's ethos. Sustainable Novato advocates 1) climate protection through Cities for Climate Protection program and the U.S. Mayors Agreement; 2) scaled up clean, renewable power and energy efficiency through Community Choice Electricity Aggregation (CCA); 3) "Green Schools" through implementation of California High Performance Schools programs; 4) a comprehensive Green Building Ordinance and program to promote healthy, safe, energy-and-water-efficient buildings, new and renovated, residential, commercial and municipal, under national USGBC standards or equivalent; 5); affordable housing that's built "green"; 6) low-carbon public transit options; 7) aggressively scaled-up water and energy conservation by water and wastewater agencies; 8) more availability of locally produced, organic agricultural products and healthy food for kids; 9) reduction of toxic substances in drinking water, schools and in pest and weed control. Sustainable Novato will host a major "Novato Town Meeting on Clean Energy" on March 7 (see calendar, above). Sustainable Novato meets monthly. See www.sustainablenovato.org, or phone 415-898-2502.

United for Safe Schools Novato (USSN) is a grassroots group of Novatans who work for a more respectful and inclusive community. USSN, established in spring 2002, has more than 200 individuals and 40 Novato/County-wide agencies who “promote equity, diversity awareness, and advocate for educational practices and policies which protect and include all students, staff, families and individuals regardless of actual or perceived race, ethnicity, gender, ability, sexual orientation, religion, class, appearance, language or national origin.” USSN needs volunteers to help with the “Stand Up Novato!” recognition awards dinner, April 20. If you’re interested in either helping before the dinner and/or at the event itself, donating to help support USSN efforts (through their fiscal agent, CAM), or want more information, please call Lynne at 415-898-2557 or e-mail ourhouse4@earthlink.net. Nominations for a "Stand Up Novato!" award are being taken from USSN members, until January 10th. If you’re not a member and are interested in becoming one (there is no fee to join), please download and fill out the membership form at www.unitedsafe.com. By joining USSN your voice becomes a part of the collective voice that promotes safety, respect and justice in our community!