Between financial insecurity and increasing rates of homelessness, it is increasingly important to have services in place that can help struggling families not only get back on their feet, but stay there as well. The 2024 readers’ choice Best of the County winner is Canal Alliance (pictured above). For the rest of the Marin Magazine‘s Best of Marin County Family Services picks see below.
Our 2024 Philanthropy category sponsor is Skin Suite Marin. View the rest of the Philanthropy category here.
We’ve broken it down by region: Central and Northern Marin.
Central | Northern
Central Marin
Adopt a Family
San Rafael
As the name would imply, Adopt a Family protects struggling families by, in their words “putting an arm around them.” For over 30 years, they’ve been working tirelessly to prevent homelessness, through rehousing services, emergency food assistance, utility payments and even providing holiday gifts.
35 Mitchell Blvd Suite 16, San Rafael, 415.456.7805
Canal Alliance
San Rafael
Canal Alliance stands in support of immigrants in Marin. They provide assistance with getting citizenship, help first generation students graduate from college, teach English second language classes at all levels and learn job skills to secure a steady source of income for those trying to make a new life here.
91 Larkspur St, San Rafael, 415.454.2640
Make It Home
San Rafael
For those who have been homeless for years, even once they get a house, something as simple as a set of pots and pans or a nice sofa can be unaffordable. Make It Home seeks to remove that uncomfortable empty-apartment feeling by providing furniture and household goods to those formerly in crisis.
Marin Foster Care Association
San Rafael
The Marin Foster Care Association started in 2003 as a chapter of the California State Foster Parent Association, and then in 2015 became an independent nonprofit. Going through the foster system can be one of the most stressful experiences that can happen to a child, and the Marin Foster Care Association wants to turn that time into an opportunity to heal.
55 Mitchell Blvd #2, San Rafael, 415.507.0557
Postpartum Support Center
San Rafael
The PPSC works to aid new parents and mothers in need of assistance with perinatal mental health issues. The center helps new and expecting parents by reducing stress and building effective support systems with direct counseling and group social supportive services.
4162 Redwood Hwy, San Rafael, 415.320.6707
Northern Marin
Gilead House
Novato
The warm halls of Gilead House have welcomed over a hundred women and their children since it opened in 1999. The group provides an environment that actually feels like a real home, and for many children is the first stable home they’ve ever had.
1024 7th St, Novato, 415.895.5575
North Bay Children’s Center
Novato
Early education is key to providing a stable economic future, and the North Bay Children’s Center works to ensure that all children have access to those much-needed early education opportunities.
Multiple locations, 415.883.6222
Sparkle Foundation
Novato
In 2003, founder Samantha Tradelius committed herself to making a difference for children and parents struggling to make ends meet, eventually opening up the Sparkle Foundation in 2016. They’re helping to bring a sparkle back into people’s lives, whether that’s through giving a mother a basket of groceries or a child a birthday present.
448 Ignacio Blvd #128, Novato, 415.552.5600
Best of the County Philanthropy Sponsor
Skin Suite Marin
Skin Suite Marin is the premier natural beauty and wellness destination in Southern Marin. Thena Holmen, RN has specialized in Aesthetic Nursing for over three decade and is known in the county for her emphasis on natural-looking beauty.
Skin Suite Marin offers the most advanced technology being the leading provider of the Fotona4D® non-invasive laser. Combined with the Hydrafacial, PRX Peel, fillers and Botox, Thena can help you achieve the best version of you with little discomfort and no down time.
What cause(s) have touched you?
When my eyes were opened to the reality of human trafficking, I felt an obligation to spread awareness and become involved to help every child to have hope and a future. I support an organization called Operation Rescue that fights against human exploitation and sex trafficking.
Why is philanthropy/humanitarianism important to you?
I believe beauty is more than skin deep.
Skin Suite Marin | Mill Valley | 415.881.6001 | skinsuitemarin.com
