About MEND
Mission
Our Mission, as a volunteer-driven organization, is to provide services that meet the basic human needs of individuals who reside in the northeast San Fernando Valley. These services are provided in a manner that safeguards the dignity of all recipients while promoting self-reliance.
Philosophy
Our philosophy rests on the principles that every person, created in the image of God, has innate human dignity and the right to be treated with respect; and every person has the fundamental right to what is needed for a fully human life.
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%)
- All 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