People Helping People
Each month, more than 9,300 hours are donated by volunteers from a broad range of backgrounds and income levels; all joining together to act as people helping people. Each person plays a vital role in meeting the mission of MEND.
Our Unique Characteristics
- 99% volunteer driven
- Privately funded - NO government
grants
- Low overhead costs (less than 5%)
- Public relations and fund raising work done by volunteers
- Seeks to develop self-reliance
among recipients
- Staff is hired only when programs
grow too large for volunteers to
handle
About MEND
Vision
All residents of our community living in poverty attain self-reliance and contribute to society as caring human beings.
Mission
MEND is generations of diverse volunteers striving to relieve the effects of poverty.
Guiding Values
Dignity:
We affirm that every person, created in the image of God, has innate human dignity and the right to be treated with respect, recognizing the worth of each individual.
Person-Centered:
We assist clients in the building of their independence and self-esteem, working with them to find ways in which they can help themselves.
Public Support:
We seek community volunteers from all demographic groups and non-governmental funding, ensuring maximum flexibility in meeting the needs of our clients.
Quality Standards:
We continually improve every aspect of our performance, delivering products and services that surpass client expectations.
Integrity:
We always do the right thing ethically, committing ourselves to our clients’ well-being.
Meeting Each Need
In the early 1970's, MEND (Meet Each Need with Dignity) opened its doors in an effort to transform the lives of the neediest residents of the San Fernando Valley - poor children and their struggling families. Starting as a small group of volunteers working from a garage, MEND has grown primarily by word-of-mouth into one of the leanest operating non-profit organizations in existence. More than 95% of the support and donations received by MEND, now the largest poverty agency in the Valley, provides emergency food, clothing, medical, vision and dental care, job skills training and job placement assistance, English as a Second Language classes, youth activities, and a Christmas program. In 2005, we served over 456,000 individuals.
People Helping People
Each month, more than 9,300 hours are donated by volunteers from a broad range of backgrounds and income levels; all joining together to act as people helping people. Each person plays a vital role in meeting the mission of MEND. From the distribution of food, clothing to assistance in job training and placement, our volunteers give MEND life.
MEND's Unique Characteristics
- 99% volunteer driven
- Privately funded - NO government grants
- Low overhead costs (less than 5%)
- Public relations and fund raising work done by volunteers
- Seeks to develop self-reliance among recipients
- Staff is hired only when programs grow too large for volunteers to handle
- Sells no items or services -- Small donations are accepted, based on the recipient's ability to pay