Jericho Road Pasadena

History

Jericho Road Project Pasadena is the first west coast offshoot of the successful Jericho Road Project, which originated seven years ago on the east coast. Jericho Road Project Pasadena was spearheaded by members of Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church of Pasadena, who worked with the Flintridge Foundation to assess whether there was a need in the local nonprofit community for the services it offered. When the answer was a clear "Yes", local volunteers began raising operating funds and creating its structure. Like its four east coast affiliates, Jericho Road Project Pasadena will bridge communities by providing to nonprofit community benefit organizations needed professional or technical expertise free of charge. Jericho Road will find the skilled volunteer expertise within local churches and industry, work in collaboration with local nonprofit organizations to define the skills needed to meet their challenges, and then coordinate the resulting capacity-building effort on a project-by -project basis. The Jericho Road Project is a non-sectarian, nonprofit corporation recognized by the Internal Revenue Service with 501(c)(3) status. The name "Jericho Road" is derived from imagery in a sermon by the Rev. Martin Luther King, when he exhorted his listeners to follow the example of the good Samaritan tending the injured traveler on the road to Jericho.

Jericho Road Pasadena officially opened its doors in mid-May 2010 when a new Program Director, Melanie Goodyear was hired. Melanie comes to Jericho Road Pasadena as a nonprofit professional with 15 years of program experience. Melanie has dedicated her career to helping the needy, leading her to diverse experiences, such as working at an orphanage in Mexico, and doing community organizing in a poor immigrant neighborhood in San Diego. For the past six years, she has managed volunteers within public libraries. She has consulted extensively with nonprofits, helping to build their capacities. She has a B.A. degree from Wellesley College and an M.A. degree from Claremont School of Theology. Melanie lives in Pasadena and is excited about launching Jericho Road Pasadena.

Jericho Road Pasadena has a Steering Committee with deep ties to the Pasadena community. Click here for thumbnail bios of each member.

Other Resources for Pasadena Nonprofits:
Flintridge Center: offers classes and workshops, consulting, and a philanthropy library to raise the capacity of area nonprofits.

Pasadena Community Foundation: provides capital and equipment grants to Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre nonprofits, as well as special grants for organizations serving the elderly or youth.

Pasadena Public Library Community Directory: find out what community benefit organizations exist in the Pasadena area.

Contact :
Melanie Goodyear, JR Pasadena Program Director at mgoodyear@jerichoroadproject.org, 626-319-6466.