It is our philosophy that people are born givers. We believe that they are innately interested in helping those in need and giving back, however, find it difficult to know how or where to begin. That is why it is our vision to provide access to opportunities that encourage people into action. In order to do that, we find partner organizations in need of volunteers, spread awareness in our community, create meaningful projects and actively engage with participants in these organizations. Through this process, we have been able to touch thousands of lives in meaningful ways. We believe that every person we touch, touches another, and in turn continues the ripple effect of growing our community of givers. We have found that this formula affects both the recipient and the giver, which in turn enables our community to feel motivated to continue to mobilize each other to live a life of giving.

Mobilizing the Community to Live a Life of Giving

Mobilizing the Community to Live a Life of Giving

Meet Lisa Kodimer

Watch The origin story

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Connecting a Caring Community is truly a story about how one person can change the lives of so many. 

Co-founder and Executive Director

meet our executive director

Connecting a Caring Community is truly a story about how one person can change the lives of so many. 

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'

Meet Lisa Kodimer

Watch The origin story

Connecting a Caring Community is truly a story about how one person can change the lives of so many. 

Co-founder and Executive Director

meet our founder

CCC is truly a story about how one person can change the lives of so many. In 2011, Lisa Kodimer’s son Kole came up with an idea of starting a special needs baseball league at Westhills Baseball. Lisa went into high gear, and together with her 11 year old son, started Westhills Champions, which created an opportunity for children regardless of their ability to be able to play baseball. One of the ball players was Chase, a young boy with special needs. His parents, Richelle and Brandt Blanken, connected with Lisa and found that they had shared values and visions about giving back.

While it was Westhills Champions that brought them together, Lisa and the Blankens understood that there was much work to be done to unite communities in the spirit of giving. It was the Blanken’s and Lisa’s hope that they would be able to enrich and engage the community through compassion, kindness, giving, leadership and connection. Through this spark of inspiration, Connecting a Caring Community was born.

Their first program, called “Connecting With Moms,” took place in 2016. It was a group of 10 moms who wanted to learn about giving back. This program has grown to 10 programs of Women, Men, Teens, Young Adults with Special Needs and Companies, and over 200 volunteers each month who go out into the community and do give back projects.

Through this spark of inspiration, Connecting a Caring Community was born.

Lisa's story

CCC grew out of Lisa’s long history of changing people’s lives

Lisa Kodimer is the co-founder of the non-profit organization, Connecting a Caring Community. CCC grew out of Lisa’s long history of changing people’s lives. After 17 years of owning her successful boutique, Kodi & Co., in the San Fernando Valley, Lisa closed shop and found her real purpose…GIVING BACK! She has taken what she learned as a businesswoman--trust, loyalty, determination, and the ability to connect with others--into the world of philanthropy. Lisa also founded Good Deeds in Motion, with the inspiration coming from years spent volunteering in the community and developing Westhills Champions, a special needs baseball program that first started as her son’s bar mitzvah project. Westhills Champions Baseball engages over 75 special needs children, inspiring over 200 teen volunteers and others within the community. 

our board

Meet the people that make it happen.

Lisa Kodimer

Co-founder and Executive Director

Jeff Singer

President

Joy Prefer Cohen 

Vice President

Cheryl Kramer 

Secretary

NEIL COHEN

TREASURER

RICK BAER

BOARD MEMBER

GABRIELLE CLAYMAN

BOARD MEMBER

SHEBA GROBSTEIN

Board Member

JANET HELLER

Board Member

RALPH LACHER

Board Member

Jennifer Lopata

Board Member

DEBBI MOLNAR

Board Member

Marc Reiser

Board Member

Minette Rubin

Board Member

David Siegel

Board Member

Marty Goldstein

Board Member

Marty Goldstein

Board Member

Linda Smith

Board Member

Forever in our hearts and their impact will never be forgotten.

Linda Smith

our Staff

PHYLLIS SHINBANE

ASSOCIATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Nancy Reiser

Program Coordinator

Robin Felton

Facilitator, Connecting with Friends

Dr. Sharon Lavin

Facilitator, Connecting with Teens

Aviva Hayempour

Director Of Operations

None of this would be possible if not for the unwavering efforts of CCC's founder, Lisa Kodimer, who has an obvious passion and commitment to "giving back" to underserved individuals and their families. CCC provides hope, resources and a venue to inspire and to be inspired, connecting caring individuals to a grateful community of special participants and their families.

CCC provides hope, resources and a venue to inspire and to be inspired.

Kind Words

Jennifer Lopata - Owner of Synergy Academics

UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital is so grateful to work with Connecting a Caring Community. We see many organizations, and I can say with certainty, it is rare to find a group of people who are truly looking to help where needed - whether the need is large or small. CCC is one of those unique organizations who just "get it" when it comes to hospitalized kids and their families. We are constantly blown away by the generosity and the humble nature by which they do business. We are proud to call CCC our partner.

CCC is one of those unique organizations who just "get it." We are proud to call CCC our partner. 

Kelli Carroll, MS, CCLS - Director, Chase Child Life Program
UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital

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Keep up with CCC via the newsletter! Here, readers will stay informed of opportunities to give to the community, find out about events, projects, programs and more!

Stay informed on our unique opportunities to give back!

Stay informed on our unique opportunities to give back to the community!

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