The campus location of Tzu Chi USA’s National Headquarters in San Dimas, Calif., mirrors that of our Foundation’s global headquarters in Hualien, Taiwan, as they are both situated beside a mountain. Since mountains symbolize strength and unwavering stability, so do our core beliefs that we are guided by immovable determination to serve those in need.

Although we first brought Tzu Chi to California in 1985, it was not until 1989 that the state officially recognized us. We were established as a branch that year in Alhambra. Then in 2001, the Tzu Chi branch of the United States was upgraded to Headquarters. By 2004, we moved to our beautiful campus in San Dimas and serve as the home of all members in the U.S.

Our headquarters leads our eight other U.S. branches that includes 65 offices throughout the country. It is here where we do all the work to coordinate national and international affairs concerning disaster relief and how to designate resources. Headquarters also holds the national foundation for medical and educational care.

Since California is home to some very wealthy people while the level of poverty has risen dramatically, the divide is great. The number of homeless people in the state is staggering and has reached a crisis so our relief work is needed and having our headquarters here makes much sense.

Dental/Medical Outreach

We provide free medical, dental and vision care to those who cannot afford the services, and it’s all thanks to our professional volunteers from our Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA). We started the services in 1994 to serve low-income people and those affected by disasters in Southern California and have grown to Central and Northern California.

Happy Campus Programs

Because a foundation of love and morals begins at a young age, we believe in teaching the children early. Through our school programs we offer character education, which works hand in hand with academic instruction to prepare all children for a bright yet compassionate future. In English and Mandarin Chinese, we teach principles of gratitude, respect and love. We also provide school supplies, weekend food backpacks and after-school tutoring to underprivileged children.

Mobile Food Pantry

Because there are people who go without food, whether they are hungry, homeless or in poverty, our mobile food pantry helps to feed individuals and families who would otherwise go without something to eat. Care recipients receive healthy and fresh foods including vegetables, rice, yogurt and grains. We also are able to distribute hot meal service to the homeless, hospitalized children, seniors and parolees.

Wildfire Disaster Relief

From mudslides to wildfires in California, we offer aid and relief following disasters helping individuals whose lives have been turned upside down.

Over the years, California has endured many wildfires and countless residents have been displaced after losing everything. From the 2016 Border Fie near San Diego to the Erskine Fine, we offered relief as well as cash cards, but we also offered our love and compassion to those left nearly hopeless. During the recent Woolsey Fire devastation in Los Angeles County, our volunteers began street fundraising so that we could provide relief offerings including blankets, hot meals and cash cards in addition to helping bring together people to offer their love and kindness to those needing it most.