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PCF’s Yes, Virginia Grants Benefit 11 Local Nonprofits

Photos courtesy Pasadena Community Foundation
Elizabeth House Executive Director Debora Unruh gave virtual hugs as well as donations — including one to a young student (photo at right) — that were made possible by Pasadena Community Foundation’s Yes, Virginia grants.

Despite a year of hardship, Pasadena Community Foundation was able for the 26th consecutive year to bring the magic of Christmas to a number of area charitable organizations, thanks to grants from its Yes, Virginia Fund.
In 1897, New York Sun editor Frank Church responded to 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon, who wrote to the newspaper to ask, “Is there a Santa Claus?” More than a century later, the reply remains the most reprinted editorial ever to run in any newspaper in the United States. In 1994, the story inspired PCF supporters to establish the Yes, Virginia Fund to provide annual grants to local nonprofit agencies so that Pasadena-area children in need could receive toys, books, gifts and special experiences for the holidays.

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Nonprofits Join Forces as Homelessness Crisis Looms

Photo by Erin Rodick / OUTLOOK
Door of Hope Executive Director Megan Katerjian and Stars Executive Director Nancy Stiles have created a partnership to expand the nonprofits’ impact as more of their clients face difficulty paying rent while the pandemic drags on.

Since the onset of COVID-19 and the pandemic-induced recession, many Pasadena nonprofits have kicked into emergency mode in anticipation of accelerated needs among the clients they typically serve.
Some organizations — like Stars, which focuses on services for youth, and Door of Hope, a homelessness prevention agency — have thought outside the box to create partnerships in the time of crisis.
“We are stronger together right now. I think many nonprofits in the Pasadena area are looking to further their impact during COVID and really increasing their collaborations,” said Stars Executive Director Nancy Stiles. “There are all kinds of intersections when it comes to the nonprofit world.”
When Door of Hope Executive Director Megan Katerjian became aware of predictions of an eviction crisis throughout Los Angeles County, she and her team began to reach out to alumni of their well-established program who might be facing reduced income due to the furloughs imposed in many industries.

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Faith Helps Local Caterer Endure Challenging Times

By Kristi Scott
Special to The Outlook

Tony Lancaster,Owner and Chef of HOPE Cafe & Catering

Many supporters of Door of Hope, a Pasadena-based nonprofit which helps families transition out of homelessness, are familiar with the organization’s meal donor program. The popular program, which allows volunteer groups to serve a prepared dinner to the families at Door of Hope’s transitional housing locations, has been temporarily halted because of the COVID-19 crisis.
Last year, nearly 300 people volunteered as Door of Hope meal donors. And on nights when meal donors are not available, parents take turns cooking for all of the house’s residents.
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LCPC Parent Ed Donates to Local Nonprofit

La Cañada Presbyterian Church’s Parent Education Board members
Photo courtesy LCPC
La Cañada Presbyterian Church’s Parent Education Board members who helped raise funds for Door of Hope include Dorothy Chen, Stephanie Ferguson, Maggie Mason, Ashley Barrett, Angela Shepherd-Isagholian, Daniela Kim, Barbara Stratte, Lynne Graves, Betsy Farhat, Darby Pearson and Charlotte Miller.

By Amanda Baughman
Special to The Outlook

A Pasadena organization was the recipient of a gift from the La Cañada Presbyterian Church’s Parent Education Program. LCPC’s volunteer board donated 10% of its anniversary fundraising proceeds, $4,619 in total, to Door of Hope, a local nonprofit organization serving homeless families.
Parent Education board chair Maggie Mason represented the board during a tour of Door of Hope. “Our Parent Ed board is excited and humbled to be able to support such a wonderful organization that is serving our homeless brothers and sisters,” she said. Continue reading “LCPC Parent Ed Donates to Local Nonprofit”

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HOPE Cafe Thrives on Serving Food With a Mission

Photo courtesy Tony Lancaster HOPE Cafe and Catering owner Tony Lancaster and his wife, Ann, donate 10% of their sales back to local nonprofits such as Door of Hope that work to help families experiencing homelessness.
Photo courtesy Tony Lancaster
HOPE Cafe and Catering owner Tony Lancaster and his wife, Ann, donate 10% of their sales back to local nonprofits such as Door of Hope that work to help families experiencing homelessness.

Some stories tell themselves, and that of HOPE Cafe and Catering owner Tony Lancaster might just be one of those, including chapters that could be titled Rehab, Rebirth and Redemption. Continue reading “HOPE Cafe Thrives on Serving Food With a Mission”