Why "COBBLER"?

A cobbler (shoe maker) sewing a sole onto a boot.

In reference to the Dr. King quote above, each public purpose program is like a piece of a boot. Pieces are not enough to make a boot, the pieces need to be sewn together. Once sewn together, a person is in a better position to "lift [them]self by [their] own bootstraps."

A cobbler is a shoe maker.

A Cobbler Foundation strives to provide a non-exhaustive clearinghouse of public purpose programs to help "sew" together the pieces of support.

A Cobbler Foundation recognizes that support from these public purpose programs is not necessarily enough for a person avoid or overcome poverty. However, it is what is currently available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question not answered? Use the "Contact Us" feature to email A Cobbler Foundation.

If a program shows in the Preliminary Results, does that mean I qualify?

Not necessarily.

Each public purpose program has its own rules and requirements. The Preliminary Results only provides an overview of the eligibility requirements for a program, but it may not include all of the eligibility requirements.

Please verify your eligibility for a program before you apply.

Are any other public purpose programs available?

Almost certainly. Each community may have different or additional public purpose programs.

This search is only intended to provide an idea of what government-funded support may be available. Privately-funded support is not captured by this search.

Please contact your local county office or community-based organization for more information on what support is available in your hometown.

I checked that I qualify for a program, should I sign-up?

Ultimately, that is up to you.

These programs are available to residents who qualify to help provide for essential needs. Please don't let anyone (including yourself) shame or stigmatize you from utilizing the resources that are rightly yours. Think of these resources as included in the "price of admission" for residing in the United States.

Still feeling shame or stigmatized? Do you know anyone who refused to cash their covid-19 stimulus checks? Neither do we.

What is next for a cobbler foundation?

Adding More Public Purpose Programs To The Search

This site is under construction. We know we are missing public purpose programs and information on how to sign up. The public purpose program rules also change intermittently, we'll do our best to keep the search criteria up to date.

This site is run by volunteers. Please feel free to send us information to include in the search by using the "Contact Us" feature.

Adding More Counties To The Search

At the moment, the search is limited to San Diego County in California, United States. However, many of these programs, or their equivalents, may be available in other counties in California and in other states.

Please contact your local county health and human services agency or community-based organization for current information.

Adding A Direct Service Provider Search

A Cobbler Foundation understands that some folks feel more comfortable talking to someone from their community, as opposed to talking to someone at a county office.

A Cobbler Foundation hopes to add a search of community-based organizations and other direct service providers.

Adding Languages

It's possible to use "Google Translate" or equivalent services to translate this website into more languages. However, A Cobbler Foundation recognizes these services do not necessarily provide culturally accurate and equivalent interpretations.

A Cobbler Foundation will work to add more languages as soon as possible.

Website and Mobile-Friendly Improvements

Sorry! Not programmers. Doing our best to provide this search with the knowledge and resources available to us.

Know a programmer who'd like to help, please reach out using the "Contact Us" feature.