Being women and moms ourselves here at the Three Tomatoes, this category holds a special place in our hearts.

Shane’s Inspiration

Shane’s Inspiration’s vision is to foster a bias-free world for children with disabilities by creating inclusive playgrounds and programs that unite children of all abilities. After losing their son to spinal muscular atrophy only 2 weeks after his birth, Catherine Curry-Williams and Scott Williams were searching for a way to honor their son’s life when they realized there were no truly accessible playgrounds for children with disabilities in the Western US. In 2000 Catherine and Scott cut the ribbon on the first Universally Accessible Playground in LA’s Griffith Park, calling it “Shane’s Inspiration Playground” and now there’s a network of 63 inclusive playgrounds throughout the world, with another 75 in development.

CMomA

There are currently over 18 million double orphans worldwide. The mission of CMomA is to advocate for these children by helping to foster their connection with childless single women, men, and couples, through adoption, educational sponsorship, hosting and mentorship. Their mission is to heal the wounds & enhance the lives of many children. The Program Initiatives include:  1):  The Grant Program:  Providing $5000 in financial aid to childless single women, men and couples adopting older and/or special needs children. 2):  CMomA Post Adoption Transitional Help Program (P.A.T.H) 3):  The CMomA Voluntourism Program

 CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for children)

Foster Children have a better chance in life because of CASA. CASA’s mission is to mobilize community volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in Los Angeles. My dear friend Molly Cheek is one of those CASA volunteer advocates and she provides a constant adult anchor in the life of a neglected and abused child helping to alleviate their feelings of abandonment and alienation and giving these scarred children a solid opportunity to thrive. Molly and the volunteers like her have an enormous impact on the development of these children at all ages. Nowhere in the nation is the problem of child neglect and abuse greater than in Los Angeles County, where 30,000 children are under the jurisdiction of the Dependency Court and CASA seeks to reduce and reverse the effects of child abuse and neglect.

Rainbow Services

In South Bay’s safe harbor, Rainbow Services, along with other domestic violence agencies, is part of a network that aims to keep families safe and end the cycle of family violence. They have been providing shelter, support and assistance for women and children dealing with family violence for 33 years so they can transition to stability and independence.   They have two shelters, a 30-day emergency shelter called Rainbow House and a transitional shelter where victims and their children may remain for up to one year called Villa Paloma. They also have counseling, case management, parenting classes, life-skills classes, and several Children’s Programs.

1736 Family Crisis Center
1736 Family Crisis Center programs are developed in a proactive approach amongst their highly-skilled staff. They strive to rescue the lives of those affected by homelessness, running away, domestic violence, labor and sex trafficking, and low-income by giving support, guidance, shelter, food, clothing and education with various programs and resources that will provide strength and knowledge to sustain their lives. 1736 Family Crisis Center designs a plan to address the varying needs of today of their clients while keeping their eyes on the issues that will soon need attention so the clients can build a brighter tomorrow and sustain the progress and success they’ve gained.

Critical Mass Dance Company 

Dance, Music, the Arts have the profound ability to transform lives and that is exactly what Critical Mass Dance Company (CMDC) does Tomatoes.  CMDC offers not one but THREE community programs for low-income girls, survivors of sexual or domestic violence, and young mothers.  CMDC’s genius Director, E. Sophia Kozak, developed a healing movement practice called “Dance from the Heart”, which is the cornerstone of all CMDC’s work in the community. And Tomatoes it works!

Downtown Women’s Center 

The Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) is the only organization in Los Angeles focused exclusively on serving and empowering women experiencing homelessness and formerly homeless women. DWC envisions a Los Angeles with every woman housed and on a path to personal stability. Its mission is to end homelessness for women in greater Los Angeles through housing, wellness, employment, and advocacy. Founded in 1978 DWC was the first permanent supportive housing provider for women in the US

MADE by DWC

MADE by DWC is a social enterprise operated by the Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) to provide job training and transitional employment in product and retail environments for women transitioning out of homelessness. By purchasing from MADE by DWC’s signature line of unique gift products, created in collaboration between DWC program participants and community artists, you directly contribute to ending women’s homelessness in Los Angeles. Their product design workshops equip women with social and vocational skills in a supportive environment where women rebuild self-esteem, discover talents, and develop skills.