HEALTH, WELLNESS & FOOD DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM Fund. This fund, part of the Susan Bacon Cancer Resource Center, provides the wraparound care needed during and after a difficult cancer diagnosis. Complimentary wigs, support groups and assistance with basic needs like food and transportation are all provided to patients. Other assets funded by this Big Idea include equipment, services and resources for the inpatient oncology unit and outpatient infusion center. “I can’t express the gratitude I have for the infusion center, because all these lovely nurses have been there since day one. I believe they’re not only nurses, but they’re angels sent from heaven, because I don’t know what I would do without them.” -Araceli Villegas SOLEDAD COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE DISTRICT FOUNDATION YEAR FOUNDED: 1976 PAID STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS: 47 paid, 65 volunteers BUDGET: $71,945 237-0006 SOLEDADMEDICALCLINIC.COM BIG IDEA: This Big Idea from Soledad Community Health Care District Foundation strives to support mothers-to-be as they approach delivery and through the demanding early stages of motherhood. The Comprehensive Perinatal Education program delivers diet and nutrition education, breastfeeding tips and support, labor and delivery preparedness and psycho-social assessments to help new mothers start on the right foot. Patients who complete the education program also receive newborn baby essentials, a diaper bag and stroller, along with other in-demand maternal services from the district’s Women’s Health Center. “Thank you to the Soledad Community Health Care District Foundation. After working in Soledad for two years and seeing 20 OB/GYN patients in one day, I am feeling very grateful. I feel the mission ignites something deep inside that makes me feel that I am doing work that has purpose and was meant for me. Working at the Women’s Health Center shows me the impact we make on so many people.” -Peter Chandler, MD SUN STREET CENTERS YEAR FOUNDED: 1968 PAID STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS: 164 paid, 67 volunteers BUDGET: $14,620,400 753-5144 SUNSTREETCENTERS.ORG BIG IDEA: A new, 8,000 square-foot Recovery Center at Sun Street Centers’ Salinas campus needs to raise the remaining 29 percent of its $4.4 million goal to fulfill its Big Idea. This nonprofit aims to prevent alcohol and drug addiction by offering education, prevention, treatment and recovery services. This Big Idea adds 300 spaces for daily outpatient recovery groups for youth, adults and families and 40 spaces in sober living units for those in early recovery. “I am a grateful recovering addict attending Sun Street Centers. I want to talk about how I was introduced to fentanyl. Since I was young, I always liked smoking marijuana and hanging with friends. In 2014, I was getting off probation and everyone in my party circle was beginning to talk about ‘blues,’ fentanyl-laced pills. I decided I should try; it was the amazing feeling I always wanted. Four years later, I found myself completely hooked. I’ve destroyed everything in my life. All I want is a normal life and just to be able to stay clean. That’s how I found Sun Street. This is now my third time in the program. I love this place; I feel so comfortable. I know if I put in the work, I can stay clean. Thank you, Sun Street, for saving my life.” -Colby VETERANS TRANSITION CENTER YEAR FOUNDED: 1998 PAID STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS: 54 paid, 10 volunteers BUDGET: $6,800,000 883-8387 VTCOFCALIFORNIA.ORG BIG IDEA: The Veterans Transition Center currently serves about 110 veterans in its housing programs. But this Big Idea doesn’t stop there. This nonprofit hopes to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on existing housing properties to create additional housing for veterans who use mobility devices. These ADUs will be fully ADA-compliant and will feature four bedrooms to help house veterans facing homelessness. Veteran-residents also receive wraparound care, establishing a more robust safety net for those who served our country. “I spent 32 years in prison, paroled in 2022. The case managers here are really good at what they do, and they can pick up on when you are starting to lose focus. They bring it to your attention that you’re not doing what you need to be doing for yourself. Coming through here helped me buy my car and helped me with my furry four-legged son, Bandit. I have an actual life here. I just went back to Michigan and got to see my son, who I had not seen in about 36 years. I knew my family loved me—I did not know the extent of that love that they have for me. I have a fabulous extended family, courtesy of VTC.” -Kevin Capps 132 Monterey County GIVES! 2023 mcgives.com DISCOVER SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND INSPIRATION New Camaldoli Hermitage 62475 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920 831.667.2456 | www.contemplation.com
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