Must! Charities

Last week, we hosted our second Nonprofit 101 Workshop for our newest Collaborative Circle Members. The 101 workshop is designed to build a collective understanding of nonprofits in general and their role within all communities. At the same time, we discuss the Must! Charities approach to philanthropy and where we sit in the nonprofit sector. Brittany Banda, Neil Bankston, Elaine Nicholson, and Lynn Gray, along with 17 other Collaborative Circle Members, share professional expertise, diverse knowledge, perspectives, and connections to local and national resources, which help lead to new partnerships and impactful projects. Thank you to these incredible Collaborative Circle members for all the time and effort they put into this work!

DONOR SPOTLIGHT! Bret and the Levo team are dedicated to uplifting our community. @LevoVineyard believes in the power of this community, and year-round with every bottle sold, $1 is donated to Must! Charities! It’s not just about making wine; it’s about making a difference! Thank you, Levo, for supporting Must! and our community! ???? P.S. Cool bumper sticker on your forklift!! ??

MEET ROXY: Roxy’s time in @ECHOshelter's Workforce Development Kitchen Program wasn’t just about learning how to prepare food—it was about transforming her health and future. Through the program, Roxy developed new cooking skills and learned to prepare healthier meals that supported her journey toward improved health. These new habits were especially important as she prepared for a surgery. With the support of the program, Roxy gained not only culinary skills but also the knowledge to create meals that aligned with her health goals. Her story reflects how the Workforce Development Kitchen goes beyond employment readiness to empower clients in all aspects of their lives, including personal wellness. Read more details about this project on our website under "What We Do!"

??NEW PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENT!! ?? We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Paso Robles Youth Arts Center on another project! In 2023 we invested in professional development and training for PRYAC staff and governing board. They did the hard work, created a strategic plan, and laid out a vision for their future. Now, this next investment will enhance resources, safety, and technology to support over 600 students and staff. PRYAC bridges gaps by providing accessible arts education, empowering youth, and fostering success beyond the classroom. Together, we’re building a brighter future for our community. To learn more details about this new project, visit "What We Do" on our website!

What an incredible afternoon spent at Le Cuvier! We want to thank the amazing team @lecuvier for hosting us recently and for their commitment to making a difference in our community. With beautiful views, delicious wine and food pairings, and friendly cats, we couldn't ask for a more unique experience! ?????

Our partnership with @LuminaAlliance stems from "trust philanthropy." We believe philanthropy is more strategic, rewarding, and impactful when relationships between funders and nonprofit partners come from a place of trust and collaboration rather than compliance and control. We started our partnership with Lumina Alliance through open conversations about the needs in Northern SLO County. While their focus was on emergency shelters, we quickly realized the real need was transitional housing. In early 2024, 17 families were turned away due to the lack of affordable options. Transitional housing helps survivors of violence heal and rebuild, offering more long-term stability than shelters. We're proud to support Lumina in transforming one shelter into affordable housing, giving families a chance to thrive. These before-and-after photos show that during this transition period, survivors can truly feel safe, comfortable, and at home. With a coded front gate, a communal play area and outdoor space, fresh paint, and an extensive facelift of the interior and exterior of the units, this space is ready to help survivors heal and flourish. On our website, you can find more details about this project. ??

Giving looks good on you, @JLohrWines! ???? Thank you, J Lohr Team, for sharing the Must! Mission within your wine club community and beyond. J Lohr Winery and the Lohr Family have been Must! Donors for almost TEN years, and we are so grateful for their support and partnership!

DONOR SPOTLIGHT!!! Terry and Pebble Smith have been long-time Must! donors and long-time Paso Peeps! Their roots in our community run even deeper than the roots at James Berry Vineyard, and we are SO grateful to have them as supporters and friends. Thank you for being such wonderful people, it's always such a treat seeing you two! ????

DIRECT IMPACT: JENNY, A @LUMINAALIANCE CLIENT A resilient mother of three relocated to San Luis Obispo County after overcoming intimate partner violence. Worried about her safety and the safety of her children, she chose SLO County to be near her family. When she came to Lumina Alliance, she sought services because she did not have a stable place to stay and had been living in her family's living room for the past 8 months. After connecting with Lumina Alliance, she worked diligently with an advocate to find a job and enroll her children in school and childcare services. Through the transitional housing program, Lumina Alliance has provided the family with a safe place to stay until they can establish permanent housing. She is currently working with a client services advocate, applying for housing, and working with a credit counselor to accomplish her goals. Our project with @luminaalliance has already proved successful. We are so proud to be a part of this partnership and to provide transitional housing for people like Jenni and her family.

THANK YOU, @CalizaWinery, for hosting us in your beautiful new tasting room! We feel so fortunate to have donors like Carl and Pam Bowker, who have supported Must! since the very beginning. Your unwavering support has truly impacted this community, and we’re so grateful to have partners like you!