As the holiday season draws near, so does Giving Tuesday—a global day of generosity observed on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It’s a chance for individuals and communities to come together to focus on kindness and making a meaningful difference.
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Visit our Good for Santa Barbara Nonprofit Section for everything you need to donate and make a difference this holiday season!
In this interview spoke with Linnea Haskett, Community Engagement & Development Manager, at New Beginnings to learn more about their mission to provide quality, affordable counseling, shelter, case management, and education.
New Beginnings
Question: What is the name of your nonprofit, and what is its mission?
Answer: New Beginnings – Our mission is to provide quality, affordable counseling, shelter, case management, and education that strengthen our community and provide our clients with the ability to lead healthy and productive lives.
Q: How long has your organization been serving the community, and who founded it?
A: New Beginnings has been serving the community since the late 1960s, when a group of forward-thinking psychiatrists recognized the critical need for accessible mental health care. In its initial years, New Beginnings offered counseling services to low-income or no-income community members through volunteer counselors. Over time, this initiative evolved into a robust clinician training model.
Today, our Community Counseling Center operates on a sliding-scale fee system, staffed by volunteer clinicians working toward licensure, all under the supervision of experienced, volunteer clinical supervisors. This model of volunteer-driven service allowed us to keep costs affordable, and it remains a core part of our approach to this day.
Our Life Skills Parenting & Education Program, which has been running for over
20 years, teaches essential skills—such as mindfulness strategies, practical life skills,
anger management tools, and parenting tools—to individuals and families who need
support in creating stable, healthy home environments. Offered at low or no cost
through community centers and nonprofit organizations, this program serves at-risk
youth, young parents, and low-income families.
Since 2004, we have operated the innovative Safe Parking Program® in
partnership with local churches, government agencies, and businesses. This first-of-its-
kind program provides safe, overnight parking for individuals and families living in their
vehicles. In addition to safe parking, we offer Rapid Rehousing services and other
housing assistance, helping participants transition from crisis to stability. Our Safe
Parking Program® has become a model for communities across the nation.
In 2013, recognizing the unique challenges faced by homeless veterans, New
Beginnings launched the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program.
This federally funded initiative aims to end veteran homelessness by providing critical
services to veterans and their families. As one of the first providers of the SSVF
program in Santa Barbara County, we have since become the leading organization
serving homeless veterans in the region.
Throughout our history, New Beginnings has consistently adapted to meet the
evolving needs of our community, driven by the vision and commitment of our founders
and the ongoing dedication of our staff and volunteers.
Q: How is your nonprofit primarily funded, and what are its biggest needs right now?
A: New Beginnings is primarily funded through government grants, foundation
support, and individual donations. While these sources are critical, our biggest need
right now is unrestricted funding. This type of support allows us to address the critical
gaps that are often overlooked by restricted grants.
Unrestricted donations help cover essential expenses such as temporary motel shelter for highly vulnerable clients, housing applications, moving and storage costs, unexpected medical bills, emergency veterinary care, and out-of-pocket mental health services—costs that are crucial for individuals and families in need of housing but aren’t always funded by traditional grants. These flexible funds give us the ability to respond to urgent, day-to-day needs and ensure we can offer not just housing, but true stability to those we serve.
Q: What types of events or programs do you run to engage your community and raise funds?
A: Traditionally, we host one large annual fundraiser in the fall that is typically a live performance designed to educate people about our key programs and the issues we address, e.g., mental health, homelessness and veteran service. In 2024, we presented “The Boys Next Door” by Tom Griffin at the New Vic, with Jenny Sullivan, director, and Rod Lathim, dramaturg.
This past June of 2024, we also held an additional larger scale event—an Educational Luncheon where we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of our Safe Parking Program. At this Luncheon, we honored the Honorable Susan Rose and Congressman Salud Carbajal, who helped found and support the program throughout its years of service.
Each year we also host four Educational Luncheons in north and south county, with each luncheon focusing on the work of one of our core programs. It is a great way for community stakeholders to learn more in-depth information about the work New Beginnings does in the community.
Q: How can people get involved with your nonprofit or volunteer?
A: If you’re interested in supporting our nonprofit, there are many ways to get involved! We offer a range of opportunities, from job openings to volunteer roles across our programs, including Life Skills, the Counseling Center, the Safe Parking Program, and the Veterans Program.
Volunteer roles include, for example, providing administrative help, serving on event committees, providing clinical supervision to our volunteer counselors, serving on one of our boards, providing workshops and recurring classes for our clients in Permanent Supportive Housing or at our new south county Collaborative Center, transporting clients to healthcare appointments and to run household errands, delivering meals to senior and disabled clients, and assisting clients with decluttering. People may also donate through one of multiple options and provide in-kind support for events and other needs, or become a landlord partner to help us house more families and individuals.
To learn more or get involved, please reach out to our Development Department at development@sbnbcc.org or call us at 805-963-7777, ext. 122.
Q: What sets your nonprofit apart from similar organizations?
A: What sets New Beginnings apart from other organizations is our unwavering commitment to three core principles:
1. Low-Barrier Access for Those Who Need Us Most: At New Beginnings, we pride ourselves on offering low to no-barrier access to our services, ensuring that clients can find a safe, welcoming place with us. Often, we are the last resort—the safety net for those who have nowhere else to turn. When clients come to us at their lowest, we embrace them with compassion and without hesitation.
2. Client-Centered, Judgment-Free Support: We provide a truly judgment-free environment. We believe in a client-driven approach to service, working collaboratively to develop a treatment plan that centers on the individual’s unique needs and aspirations. We listen first, focus on the barriers that are holding them back, and empower them to grow and succeed at their own pace, with dignity and respect.
3. A Dedicated, Empathetic Team: Our team is at the heart of everything we do, and it’s what makes New Beginnings extraordinary. Our staff is a group of compassionate, skilled professionals who bring both expertise and lived experience to their work. Many of our team members have faced challenges themselves, which enables them to connect with our clients in a deeply empathetic way. This unique blend of dedication, kindness, and understanding creates an environment where healing and growth can truly thrive.
Q: Can you share a fun fact or little-known detail about your nonprofit that would surprise people?
A: Our Safe Parking Program has been highlighted in stories by Rolling Stone Magazine, USA Today, HBO’s VICE News, Los Angeles Times, The Nation, CNN, People Magazine, and more!
For instance, in 2012, a reporter from Rolling Stone Magazine spent weeks with several clients in our Safe Parking Program to understand how they fell into homelessness. If you are interested in stepping into the shoes of our clients and seeing the world from their perspectives via Rolling Stone, or if you’d like to read any of the other articles, you can find them listed on this webpage: https://sbnbcc.org/national-news/
Q: Could you share a story or two about individuals whose lives have been positively impacted by your organization?
A: In 2021, as COVID wreaked havoc, Christina* faced numerous health issues, including spine fractures, edema, high blood pressure, and borderline diabetes. A hairdresser for over 30 years, she had also worked full-time as a barista. After being advised to stay off her feet, she transitioned to driving and making home deliveries. Unfortunately, as her income dwindled and isolation deepened, she found herself unable to afford housing and was forced to move into her car with her cat. She longed for stable housing and to feel safe again.
When she entered New Beginnings’ Safe Parking program in 2023, Christina shared deep feelings of embarrassment and fear, crying that “No one knows I’m living in my car!” But with Safe Parking came new feelings of relief and safety. She knew that she was headed back to housing security.
A year later, thanks to New Beginnings Housing Navigators, Case Managers, and the rest of the Safe Parking team, Christina secured her own studio apartment—her cat by her side. Now thriving, she is excited to share, “There’s no more hiding that I was living in my car!” She’s thrilled to be able to invite friends over, cook, and attend daily activities without worrying about where to stash her clothes or belongings. “And the best part? I know my cat is safe while I’m at work. He has a home now too!”
Christina’s new apartment transformed her life. With the ability to prepare healthy meals, she’s been able to cut carbs and sugars in half, she’s lost weight, and her blood work is normal. She feels safe and secure again, and expresses immense gratitude for the staff and hard work of New Beginnings’ Safe Parking Program.
*Name changed for confidentiality.
Q: How do you share your nonprofit’s impact and updates with the public?
A: We publish three to four newsletters each year, keeping the public informed with the latest news, updates, and stories. In addition, each new year we release an Annual Report that highlights the previous year’s achievements, key metrics, and impact. We also send our a holiday mailer that shares client stories and agency outcomes, occasional email updates to our supporters, featuring exciting press releases, client success stories, staff highlights, and more. As well, we produce Public Service Announcements that run regularly on local network television, post on social media, table community events, conduct local media interviews, and update our website regularly.
We invite you to stay connected by signing up for our mailing list on our website: https://sbnbcc.org/
Q: What makes your organization trustworthy for donors, and are there other ways people can support your cause beyond donations?
A: Our organization earns the trust of donors through transparency and accountability in all our operations. We are open about our needs, and we provide clear details on how funds and resources are allocated. We prioritize building strong, honest relationships with donors, foundations, and government partners, both locally and nationally. Additionally, we are proud to hold a CARF accreditation, a Platinum Transparency Rating from Candid’s GuideStar, a Four-Star Rating and a perfect 100/100 “Give with Confidence” rating from Charity Navigator, all of which reflect our commitment to responsible stewardship.
Beyond financial support, there are many other ways people can contribute to our cause. We are always looking for community partners, including landlords, property managers, parking lot owners, vehicle repair services, storage facilities, and volunteers. Our work is often limited by resource constraints, so any help—whether in-kind donations, service partnerships, or volunteer time—can make a significant impact as we continue our mission to end homelessness, facilitate mental wellness, and support our community members in need.
Your involvement, in whatever form it takes, helps us move closer to creating lasting change in our community.
Click here to support New Beginnings mission to provide quality, affordable counseling, shelter, case management, and education that strengthen our community and provide the clients with the ability to lead healthy and productive lives.
Check out Noozhawk’s Guide to Giving for a full list of nonprofits to donate to this giving season.
If you would like to include your nonprofit in our Good for Santa Barbara section and Giving Guide click HERE.