Did you know? SESLOC was formed in 1942 with just $500 in assets. Because of the support from our members and community, we have grown to more than a billion in assets over the last 80 years. To honor this achievement, we’re giving $500 to 80 local nonprofits by the end of 2022 — funds may help support programs or simply offer lunch or a little treat for all of the hard-working staff and volunteers.
We’ve asked our incredible staff to nominate their favorite 501-(c)(3)-designated organizations. Here are the eight groups we’ve selected for September:
Orcutt Children’s Arts Foundation
The Orcutt Children’s Arts Foundation’s mission is to provide all children in the Orcutt Union School District the opportunities to experience and participate in the visual and performing arts by bringing together community resources. In addition, they hold the annual Chalk Festival in September (24th in 2022), which brings over 1,000 people to Old Town Orcutt to enjoy art, live music, and community engagement.
El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO)
ECHO supports families and individuals in our North SLO County who are facing hunger and homelessness, operating three shelters in Atascadero and Paso Robles that provide meals and a safe and secure place to sleep. Additionally, ECHO operates programs to help people transition into homes and jobs, as well as meal and shower programs and enrichment activities for children.
Paso Robles Youth Arts Foundation
The Paso Robles Youth Arts Foundation, founded in 1998, provides nearly 400 students ages 5–18 with over fifty weekly classes in theater, dance, art, music, and more, serving over 700 students annually.
VTC Enterprises
VTC Enterprises provides a place for individuals with disabilities to thrive & succeed in Santa Maria, operating three businesses to provide job and development opportunities.
Shoes for Students
Shoes for Students was founded in 1998 in when the founders noticed a lot of students in the Santa Maria Valley came to school in very old, very worn, or the wrong-sized shoes. Some students were even missing school because they didn’t have shoes. This nonprofit raises funds to supply students in need with shoes, clothing, and school supplies.
Mission Hope Cancer Center
The Mission Hope Cancer Center, supported by the Marian Regional Medical Center Foundation, provides care and treatment for those fighting cancer in Santa Maria and Arroyo Grande, In addition, they provide a number of support services for patients and their families.
Cal Poly K-9 Unit
Cal Poly K-9s are supported by funds from the National Police Dog Foundation, and the K-9 unit is deployed numerous times a year to sweep office buildings, classrooms, lecture halls, and various venues such as football games, graduation ceremonies, and other sensitive locations. They serve as ambassadors to strengthen public relations and opinions of the campus community and do many safety events on campus throughout the year. K-9s Zeus and Brisant are the active duty dogs on campus, and they have Instagram and Facebook!
Transitions Mental Health Association
Transitions Mental Health Association serves San Luis Obispo and Northern Santa Barbara Counties and is dedicated to eliminating stigma and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness through work, housing, community, and family support services.
Please consider donating to these worthy organizations. You can check out the organizations we selected in August here, and stay tuned to learn about the next eight nonprofits nominated by our staff in honor of our 80th anniversary.
