People Helping People (PHP) is the primary provider of human and social services in mid Santa Barbara County. Incorporated in 1992, PHP is “dedicated to improving the lives of men, women, and children in the Santa Ynez Valley, Los Alamos, and surrounding communities by addressing emergency and basic needs, furnishing comprehensive integrated family and individual support services, and acting as a catalyst for positive community change.”
PHP has grown from a single program, food and emergency services, into a unique multi-program organization which has developed a comprehensive system of care. 
Services for infants, children, and adults are integrated into a “one stop” shop with multiple neighborhood access points (Family Resource Centers) located at neighborhood schools throughout the Santa Ynez and Los Alamos Valleys.
Major Programs include:
- Basic Needs: Food Program, Emergency Solutions, Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing (rent/mortgage assistance, transportation, utility assistance);
- Health Care: Community Health Access Resource Team (CHART), Children’s and Adult Dental Funds, Mental Health Wellness and Counseling;
Youth Programs: Los Alamos Youth Program, Youth Coalition (Drug Free Youth), High School Student Mentoring, Generation Kindness & Drug Free Clubs and Student Action Drug Prevention Network (SPAN); and- Family Support: Domestic Violence Prevention, Child Abuse Prevention, Parent Education, Advocacy, Family Strengthening, and Christmas Fulfill-A-Wish.
PHP’s current annual operating budget is $2 million and PHP currently employs 23 full and part-time staff (18 FTE). Last year, PHP served 3,900 unduplicated clients. PHP operates with an exceptionally low overhead (administration + fundraising expense) at 9.5% as documented in PHP’s audited financial statements.
Bike Trek participants ride to support PHP’s programs to feed the hungry with over 260,000 pounds of groceries each year; provide shelter to prevent homelessness; prevent domestic violence; furnish counseling, medical and dental care for the uninsured; and offer at risk teens an after school youth program including homework assistance, recreational activities, and leadership opportunities.
For more details on the programs and services offered by People Helping People, check out our website at syvphp.org.