This directory is intended to be a living document of activist oriented organizations and counter-culture ways to have fun! If your organization is not listed, please tell us so we can add it to the directory on the DisGuide’s web site, and print it in next year’s guide!
Some of the contact information (and maybe even the existence) of some of the organizations listed here may be incorrect. We’ve tried to bring everything up to date, but if you have corrections please email them to sbdisorientation@riseup.net.
We’ve separated student and campus organizations from community organizations. Community orgs are organized by the kind of work they do (although most could probably easily fit in two or more categories.
Apologies to all we’ve ommitted! Happy networking.

Student/Campus Organizations
UCSB Student Affairs web site maintains a list of student orgs: http://orgs.sa.ucsb.edu/index.asp

Black Student Union - Exists to create a safe, supportive and inclusive Black student community and to provide opportunities for all students to increase awareness of Black culture with an emphasis on Black social, political, and intellectual traditions. http://www.geocities.com/bsuatucsb/

Campus Greens - The Green Party at UCSB -- http://www.ucsbgreens.org/

Campus Democrats – Yes, it’s Democrat with a big D, but at least they’re not Republicans.
http://www.ucsbdems.com/

Capoeira in Santa Barbara - Once a creative adaptation to the brutal slave trades during the 16th century by captive Africans, has now become a unique art-form that synthesizes martial arts, dance, and song into an enchanting demonstration of the potentials of the human body and spirit.By utilizing this practice, African slaves were able to out-fight and defy their Portuguese slave owners.
http://www.capoeirasantabarbara.com/

EAB / ESLP - We are a group of dedicated students who love getting together to make our campus, community, and world a better place to live. Our past and present projects include: Education for Sustainable Living Program, which lets YOU teach your own class for upper-division units in your department! Topics include increasing recycling, purchasing organic food, and using renewable energy... all at UCSB!, Working with the CSSC to implement a vision of clean energy, green buildings, green transportation, and education for sustainable living at UCSB and the wider UC community, and more!
http://as.ucsb.edu/eab/ -- eab@as.ucsb.edu -- (805) 893-5165

El Congreso – Working to promote community empowerment, create political awareness through activism, and provide an atmosphere of cultural pride for the Chican@/Latin@ Community. El Congreso is composed of 15 sub-committees ( La Escuelita, Los Curanderos, Los Ingenieros, M.U.J.E.R., Carnales in Aztlan, LBA, Psychology/Sociology, M.E.N.T.E., Pre-Law, Protesta y Apoyo Zapatista, Radio Chicana, Cultural Arts, La Voz, Estudiantes Para Avanzar la Communidad) that target specific areas of el movimiento.
El Centro, Building 406 on campus

Greenhouse and Garden Project - Many students live in apartments that do not allow anywhere to plant a garden, which is what makes the GHGP so unique. We currently have over fifty members, each with their own plot(s) and full access to the greenhouse.
http://orgs.sa.ucsb.edu/ghgp/ -- ghgpucsb@yahoo.com

InterEthnic Relations in Sisterhood - IRIS consists of female UCSB students dedicated in the promotion of multicultural awareness through community services and social networking.

bilingual tutoring services; and volunteer fieldwork experience at our local schools.
http://orgs.sa.ucsb.edu/laescuelita -- la_escuelita_ucsb@yahoo.com

MeCHA de UCSB (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán) - a student organization that promotes higher education, cultura, and historia. M.E.Ch.A. was founded on the principles of self-determination for the liberation of our people. We believe that political involvement and education is the avenue for change in our society. -- http://orgs.sa.ucsb.edu/mecha/index.html

Men Against Rape - seeks to combat sexual assault/rape via education and discussion and community outreach. -- http://www.menagainstrape.org

Muslim Student Association - Providing Muslim students with a space to enrich their faith, to provide accurate information about our faith, and to contribute diversity to the UCSB campus.
http://www.geocities.com/ucsbmsa/ -- ucsbmsa@yahoo.com

N.O.R.M.L - National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, at UCSB has been aiding the struggle for marijuana legalization for some years and is continuing the fight. We need your help. -- http://www.normlucsb.org

Queer Student Union - We are a social and political organization fighting for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and questioning people. Through instigating overt political actions and through creating safe spaces for various queer-identified folks to socialize, learn, and interact, we envision a safer and more-queer friendly campus. Both students and community members are welcome, as are our allies! QSU activities include attending many LGBTQIA conferences, organizing the annual UCSB Queer Pride Week, National Coming Out Day, and the Queer Wedding. For more information or for our meeting times (usually Mondays at 6pm in the MCC), email tpaperny@gmail.com. -- http://orgs.sa.ucsb.edu/qsu/

Students Stopping Rape - We are undergraduate and graduate students who help educate the UCSB & surrounding community on how to prevent, create awareness, and facilitate discussion about sexual assault. -- http://orgs.sa.ucsb.edu/ssr/

Shoreline Preservation Fund – A student initiated funding entity, provides support to enhance, protect and restore the shoreline associated with UCSB through preservation, education, open access, research, and restoration. -- http://spf.as.ucsb.edu/ -- (805) 893-5166

Surfrider - The Surfrider Foundation is a non- profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education. -- http://orgs.sa.ucsb.edu/sf/ -- (805) 967-9938

Student for a Free Tibet – SFT works in solidarity with the Tibetan people in their struggle for freedom and independence. We are a chapter-based network of young people and activists around the world. Through education, grassroots organizing, and non-violent direct action, we campaign for Tibetans’ fundamental right to political freedom. Our role is to empower and train youth as leaders in the worldwide movement for social justice.
tribalqueer@gmail.com; www.studentsforafreetibet.org; listserve: : ucsb_sft@yahoogroups.com

Student Commission on Racial Equality (S.C.O.R.E.) - a body funded by UCSB undergraduates dedicated to developing a comfortable learning environment for people of color. The Student Commission on Racial Equality recognizes and is inclusive of all other identities encompassed by people of color, such as gender expression and sexual expression. Its purpose is to confront and pro-actively resolve issue of ethnicity and race related concerns through political involvement and lobbying efforts, educational training and organizing, artisitic expression, and the creation of social messages in different mediums. The commission shall network with other groups and campus
departments to find and promote programming with the purpose of combating racism, colorism, sexism, xenophobia and homophobia.
ucsb_score@yahoogroups.com. Tuesdays @ 7, MCC Meeting Rooms

VoX - To educate and raise awareness about reproductive rights and to promote pro-choice activism on campus and in the community. -- http://www.ucsbvox.com

Womyn’s Commission - works to empower womyn identified individuals by providing them with a safe space to address issues pertinent to womyn by challenging institutions of power through education, lobbying, coalition building, and artistic expression on a local, state, and national level. Womyn’s Commission also serves as an umbrella organization for other womyn groups by providing support, space, and funding. Womyn’s Commission recognizes that we as individuals encompass multiple identities; therefore, we consistently incorporate the intersectionalities of race, class, ability, sexual, and gender identity in our organizing. We meet 7pm mondays at the women’s center. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/womynscommission/

Queer/Women’s Resources

Gay and Lesbian Business Association - Offers annual scholarships for local queer students.
http://prideguide.net/glba/default.htm

GenderQueerSB - A safe, supportive and confidential all-identities-welcome support/discussion/activist group for the transgender, transsexual, gender warrior, gender bender, gender questioning, genderqueer, and gender activist communities. Come and meet others, exchange information, discuss issues that are important to you, and be involved in education and outreach planning. Email genderqueersb@yahoo.com or schess@umail.ucsb.edu for information.

Men’s Group – Confidential weekly discussion group for gay and bisexual men. Email Peter Russell at Russell-p@sa.ucsb.edu or Gary White white-g@sa.ucsb.edu

Questioning/Beginners Discussion Group – Overwhelmed? Struggling with sexuality? Small, supportive and confidential group meets weekly to discuss sexuality, family, college, relationship, and religion. Email Gary White at white-g@sa.ucsb.edu

Queer Studies Minor – The Minor provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary examination of the lives, experiences, identities, and representations of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals; their families and communities; their cultures and subcultures; their histories, institutions, languages and literatures; their economics and politics; and their complex relations to the culture and experience of a heterosexual majority. The minor emphasizes the intersection of sexuality and gender with race, class, ethnicity, and nation. Courses are offered in the Women’s Studies Program as well as from other disciplines within the humanities and social sciences. See http://www.womst.ucsb.edu/lgbtq/lgbtq_general.htm for information.

Financial Aid for LGBTQI Students - http://finaid.org/otheraid/gay.phtml

People In Search of Safe & Accessible Restrooms (PISSAR) - pissar_ucsb@yahoo.com (see pg. 38)

Rainbow House - This house is a supportive residential community for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students (GLBT) and their allies. The Rainbow House is committed to providing a specifically “queer-friendly” atmosphere for students to live and interact. The Rainbow House is committed to providing a safe space for any student to visit when facing challenges in their life in regards to their sexuality such as roommate problems or coming out issues. The Rainbow House will also serve as a social outlet for GLBT students and allies. If you are interested in any of the 41 spaces in Manzanita Village, contact (805) 893-5513 or email contracts@housing.ucsb.edu

Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity – includes a library of books, videos, and resources you can check out for free, informational materials and resources for LGBTQIA folks, a rainbow lounge for meetings, educational/social events, napping, reading, or hanging out, a computer center with internet access, and more. 805-893-5846 – UCEN 3rd floor – M through F 10AM-5PM – rcsgd@sa.ucsb.edu for mailing list or visit www.sa.ucsb.edu/sgd for more information.

Sexual Harassment Complaint – call the Sexual Harassment/Title IX Complaint Resolution Office at 805-893-2546 or any of the people on the following list: http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/women’scenter/sexualharassment/contact.asp

UCSB Counseling and Career Services (for UCSB students) - 805-893-4411; Bldg. 599; Services include the LGBTQ Mentoring Program which pairs gay, lesbian, bisexual, questioning, and/or

Women’s Center – A safe space to hang out, nap, get work done, eat, hold meetings, etc. Services include the Rape Prevention Education Program, an art gallery, and a space for student organization meetings. (805) 893-3778. Building 434 – open M-F 10AM-7PM / F 10AM-5PM.
Also serves to resolve issues of sexual harassment or hate crimes: any complaints of sexual abuse can be directed to the director De Acker at (805) 893-3778.
http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/women’scenter/index.asp

Women’s Group – confidential support group for all women. For more information, call Tina Panteleakos at 805-636-1021. Time and meeting location TBA.

Santa Barbara Community Organizations and Contacts
*Note: If your organization is not listed it’s probably because we don’t know it exists. Please tell us so we can add it to the directory on the DisGuide’s web site, and print it in next year’s guide!

Justice!

Coalition for a Living Wage
Santa Barbara for a Living Wage is a Coalition of labor, faith and community based organizations that is proposing a living wage ordinance for the City of Santa Barbara.
601 E. Montecito St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 882-2484
www.sblivingwage.org

Girls Inc. of Santa Barbara - inspires all girls to be strong, smart and bold through our structured enrichment programs. All programs are developed and specifically focus on the needs of girls. http://www.girlsincsb.org/index.html
(805) 684-6364

Isla Vista Tenants Union
The Isla Vista Tenants Union (IVTU) is a group of concerned residents interested in providing services to UCSB students who are tenants in Isla Vista, along with other tenants in the Isla vista community. We aim to educate tenants on their rights and responsibilities, and to act as a resource when problems do arise. Ivtenantsunion@hotmail.com
IVTU has temporarily relocated to the 2nd floor Conference Room of the A.S. Building (next to the UCEN).
http://ivtu.as.ucsb.edu/

League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. We never support or oppose any political party or candidate.
328 E Carrillo St., Suite A Santa Barbara CA, 93101
(805) 965-2422
http://www.lwvsantabarbara.org/

La Casa de la Raza
Chicano/Latino community center offering a variety of services to low-income individuals and families. Meeting rooms are available.
601 E. Montecito St. Santa Barbara, CA 93103
(805) 965-8581

PUEBLO (People United for Economic Justice, Building Leadership Through Organizing):
A social justice organization working on bread and butter issues for workers, families, and young people in Santa Barbara.
601 E. Montecito St.
Santa Barbara, CA. 93103
(805) 882-2484
pueblo@sbpueblo.org
www.sbpueblo.org

Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee
The Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee is a PAC dedicated to furthering gender equality and feminist values through political and social action, education, and electing representatives who will be accountable to these values.
(805) 564-6876
http://www.sbwpc.com

Santa Barbara County Action Network (SBCAN)
The Santa Barbara County Action Network (SBCAN) is a countywide, grassroots, non-profit dedicated to promoting social justice and preserving our community’s environmental and agricultural resources. SBCAN advocates for the passage of progressive policies; educates and organizes the public; and actively works to elect leaders who will promote progressive public policies in office. SBCAN works in cooperation with a broad range of progressive activists and organizations to ensure that all members of our community share a voice in our future.
P.O. Box 23453,
Santa Barbara, CA 93121
(805) 963.7379
www.sbcan.org

SEIU Local 620
The strongest, fastest growing labor union on the Central Coast of California! Our workers are dedicated to providing quality public services and Local 620 is dedicated to making their working lives better.
http://www.seiulocal620.org

Santa Barbara Progressive Coalition
jon@tablerockers.com
groups.yahoo.com/group/sbprogcoalition

Mother Earth

Community Environmental Council of Santa Barbara
www.communityenvironmentalcouncil.org

Environmental Defense Center
The Environmental Defense Center is a nonprofit, public interest organization that provides legal, educational and advocacy support to advance environmental quality.
www.edcnet.org
906 Garden Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 963-1622

Free Our Forests
(805) 565-1853
www.freeourforests.org

Pesticide Awareness & Alternative Coalition
Dedicated to educating the public on the dangers of pesticide use in our schools, parks, homes and agriculture and available safe alternatives
(805) 965-4491

Santa Barbara GE Free
Working to educate the community of Santa Barbara County and convince the County Board of Supervisors that the public wants a 24-month moratorium on GE crops in Santa Barbara County. www.sbgefree.org

Santa Barbara Organic Garden Club
563-2089
lbuzzell@aol.com

Santa Barbara Permaculture Network
www.sbpermaculture.org/

The Sustainability Project
www.sustainabilityproject.org
229 East Victoria Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 966-3355

News and Information

RAIN - Founded in 1991, the Regional Alliance for Information Networking was one of the first public Internet access Networks established in the United States. RAIN’s National Public Internet Network provides over 2,500 local dial access number for high speed dialup Internet. RAIN also provides broadband Wireless, DSL, Frame Relay and other Internet Services, including GIS, Video and K-12 Curriculum.
http://www.rain.org

Santa Barbara Independent Media (SBIMC)
The Santa Barbara Independent Media Center (SB-IMC) is an autonomous, community-based collective committed to using media production and distribution as a tool for promoting social, environmental and economic justice. We generate alternatives to the current profit-based and state-dominated media and to contribute to the development of an equitable and sustainable society.
http://www.sbindymedia.org/

Health and Wise Ways

Breast Cancer Resource Center
525 W. Junipero St. Santa Barbara, CA 93105
569-9693
http://www.breastresourcecenter.org/ -- brcsb@breastresourcecenter.org

Planned Parenthood of Santa Barbara
Join us in our vision of creating a community where every child is a wanted child, where people make informed and responsible health decisions, and where everyone has access to affordable, quality reproductive health care and the right to choose.
518 Garden Street Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Clinic Phone Number: (805) 963-5801
www.ppsbvslo.org

Pacific Pride Foundation
Proudly provides services to the HIV/AIDS and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities of Santa Barbara County.
www.pacificpridefoundation.org
805.963.3636

Rape Crisis Center
We are dedicated and committed to ending sexual assault in our lifetime.
www.sbrapecrisiscenter.org

Getting There

Coalition for Sustainable Transportation
Working towards a vision of well-planned communities that encourage walking, bicycling and transit for access to all daily needs.
www.coast-santabarbara.org

Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition
Promoting bikes in SB!, ask for a free bicycle trail map.
685-1283
www.sbbike.org

Traffic Solutions
Carpooling & other local ride sharing resource
963-7283
www.sbcag.org/ts.htm

Peace!

Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation initiates and supports worldwide efforts to abolish nuclear weapons, to strengthen international law and institutions, to use technology responsibly and sustainably, and to empower youth to create a more peaceful world.
www.wagingpeace.org

INTERNATIONAL PEACE PROJECT (An Affiliate of The Fellowship of Reconciliation) - Promoting peace through educational outreach, humanitarian aid, cultural exchange, music celebrations, retreats, interfaith dialogue and more, from headquarters in Santa Barbara, California, USA
http://www.intlpeace.org/
805.683.4749

Pax 2100
PAX 2100 is dedicated to fostering the research and development of initiatives that will lead us to a “culture of peace” in the timeframe of 100 years.
http://www.pax2100.org/

Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) Supporters, Santa Barbara
To raise awareness about the situation in Afghanistan, and to raise funds to support humanitarian aid projects run by RAWA in Afghanistan.
569-2331
www.rawasb.org
sbrawa@aol.com

Veterans for Peace, Santa Barbara Chapter
A national non-profit 501(c)(3) educational and humanitarian organization dedicated to the abolishment of war.
www.vfpsb.org

Foundations

Fund for Santa Barbara:
A 501(c)3 non-profit foundation that supports grassroots organizations working for social, economic and environmental justice in Santa Barbara County.
www.fundforsantabarbara.org/

Spiritual

SB Center for the Healing Arts
http://www.sbhealingarts.com/

Music/Art Spaces

Local Music Venues
http://www.freewebs.com/sbdiy/venues.htm

City at Peace, Santa Barbara
City at Peace is a national, award-winning program in Santa Barbara which utilizes mediation and performing arts to teach peaceful alternatives to violence and healthy life choices for teens. Youth creates and presents a theatre production based on their lives in a venue in the community.
963-8165
http://www.fsacares.org/4i0q7gvt.htm