Giving Back Magazine

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Walden Family Services has spent over 50 years walking alongside youth in foster care and young families across Southern California, not just during crises, but through the transition into adulthood. The work at Walden Family Services is about building a generation of resilient young adults who, regardless of their start in life, go on to succeed, lead, and give back. Teresa Stivers is the CEO of Walden Family Services.

Each October, La Jolla Village transforms into an outdoor gallery as thousands of visitors gather to celebrate art, culture and community. This year, the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival (LJAWF) returns for its 18th year on Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M., bringing together artists, collectors, families and local supporters for a weekend that has become a staple of Southern California’s arts scene.

Music has the unique ability to connect people, bring comfort, spark memories, and elevate mood. At Resounding Joy, that power is at the heart of everything the organization does. Founded in 2004, Resounding Joy is the only nonprofit organization in San Diego using music therapy to transform lives through music. Its board-certified music therapists work with children, veterans, older adults, and individuals and families facing a wide range of challenges.

San Diego’s legal community will gather on October 17, 2026, at The US Grant Hotel for the 42nd Annual Red Boudreau Trial Lawyers’ Dinner. Each year, this celebrated event brings together attorneys and legal service providers in a powerful display of unity and charitable commitment to benefit Father Joe’s Villages.

There are moments in life that divide everything into before and after. For thousands of families each year, that moment begins with four devastating words: “Your child has cancer.” Time seems to stop. Parents find themselves navigating doctor’s appointments, treatment plans, hospital stays, and sleepless nights while trying to remain strong for their child. The future that once felt predictable is suddenly filled with fear, uncertainty, and unanswered questions.

For Fabiola Rios, MAAC has been part of her life story from the beginning. What started as a childhood experience in Head Start has grown into a full-circle journey of education, service, and community. Today, as she completes MAAC’s Next Level Early Care and Education (ECE) Apprenticeship Program, Fabiola is preparing to give back to the same community that helped shape her future. Fabiola’s parents immigrated to the US from Mexico to build a better life for their growing family.

Southwest Airlines & the San Diego Padres support young athletes’ growth on and off the field San Diego is a baseball town, but for many local kids, watching the game is easier than getting to play. Equipment costs, fees and lack of access can all keep young athletes from enjoying a season on the field. Each summer, the San Diego Padres and Southwest set out to change that with the Padres Rookie League.

Leading with Purpose For Neal Stehly, giving back has never been separate from his professional life. It is woven into who he is, the relationships he has built, and the communities he cares about most. As Executive Vice President of Benefits Consulting at HUB International and a member of the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities (FDD) Board of Directors, Stehly brings both expertise and genuine passion to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Building Stronger Communities At Seven Mile Casino, community engagement is not simply something the casino does. It is part of who they are. The organization believes that holding one of California’s gaming licenses is both an honor and a privilege, and with that comes a responsibility to invest in the communities that have supported its success.

Specialty Care, Close to Home Health insurance is intended to open the door to care, yet for many San Diego County residents, coverage does not guarantee access. Medi-Cal patients and people who are underinsured often struggle to find specialists who accept their coverage, leaving them to wait months for appointments or travel long distances for essential services. Those delays can have serious consequences. A senior with heart disease may wait months to see a cardiologist.