122 Monterey County GIVES! 2023 mcgives.com Health, Wellness & Food DONate online mcgives.com chewing ability, and inspiring patients to return to an active, fulfilling lifestyle. “Before coming to Dentistry 4 Vets, I was suffering with chipped teeth, loose teeth and bad gums. Now that I have been treated, I have better overall improvement and will soon be getting partial denture implants. I’m getting out there again with family and friends. I’m feeling healthier and have a better smile.” -Anonymous The Equine Healing Collaborative Year Founded: 2015 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 16 paid, 38 volunteers Budget: $670,898 293-4492 equinehealing.org Big Idea: Rescue horses and donkeys deliver equine-assisted psychotherapy through this Big Idea from the Equine Healing Collaborative (EHC). Clinical social workers and family therapists use EHC’s specialized curriculum in individual and group psychotherapy and one-day retreats for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, first responders, veterans, educators and refugees. Prevention programs, like Mini Horses Big Feelings, and outreach to assisted living centers pairs the nonprofit’s message with charming miniature horses that provide awareness, comfort and joy to the community. “EHC has given me free ‘rein’ to work on being the best version of myself. When I am working with the horses and my therapist, I feel truly present so I can do the work needed to process feelings, heal traumas, work on mind-body strategies, and learn about who I am and who I aspire to be. The experience is truly transformative and magical. The EHC has changed my life for the better, in more ways than I could have ever imagined. I would recommend this program to anyone.” -Kaitlyn Williams Food Bank for Monterey County Year Founded: 1990 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 37 paid, 500 volunteers Budget: $19,840,000 758-1523 foodbankformontereycounty.org Big Idea: Did you know the Food Bank for Monterey County operates a mobile produce truck and food truck? This Big Idea can visit multiple locations considered “food deserts” throughout Monterey County, parking in accessible places at accessible times, like schools and worksites in the evenings and weekends. These locally-grown, fresh fruits and vegetables are grown by first-generation farmers from disadvantaged communities, helping launch these small businesses. Today, this nonprofit serves more than 1 in 4 residents and 1 in 3 children in Monterey County. “The food bank gives us healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, so I don’t have to eat as much of the starchy foods like I used to. The extra help has made my diabetes much easier to manage. My health has really improved.” -Nora P. Hands to Help Seniors Year Founded: 2011 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 6 volunteers Budget: $100,000 204-0402 h2hs.org Big Idea: Donations to Hands to Help Seniors go to providing financial assistance to local elders who are facing a one-time, unexpected financial expense they cannot cover. Expenses may include rent, medical or dental bills, home maintenance or utility bills, or other everyday fees that can be catastrophic to someone living on a fixed income. Instead of seniors getting evicted, this nonprofit’s Big Idea steps into the gap to help the most vulnerable in our community with covering the costs of their basic needs. The experience is truly transformative and magical.” Kaitlyn Williams, The Equine Healing Collaborative Planned Parenthood Mar Monte Year Founded: 1964 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 58 paid, 415 volunteers Budget: $10,545,550 (408) 795-3780 plannedparenthood.org/ planned-parenthood-mar-monte Big Idea: Today’s political climate inspired Planned Parenthood Mar Monte to double down on its mission of providing accessible, judgment-free health care, including reproductive care. This nonprofit delivers timely care to people seeking abortion who are forced to travel hundreds or thousands of miles for medical services. Planned Parenthood Mar Monte serves the LGBTQ+ community, providing compassionate and gender-affirming care. This Big Idea includes plans to expand current health centers near airports and transportation hubs and train more abortion providers in order to support the growing demand. “When I was 26, I was in the midst of getting a PhD when I learned that my IUD had failed, and I was pregnant. I knew at the time I did not have the mental or emotional capacity to be a good mom, so I decided to get an abortion. I am so grateful that I was able to make that personal choice, that I can start a family when the time is right for me professionally and personally.” -Abby spotlight
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