52 Monterey County GIVES! 2023 mcgives.com Community & Social Services DONate online mcgives.com Community Homeless Solutions Year Founded: 1978 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 58 paid, 39 volunteers Budget: $6,000,000 384-3388 communityhomelesssolutions.org Big Idea: In addition to its two domestic violence emergency shelters, two emergency shelters, a navigation center, youth transitional housing program, and a permanent supportive housing program for families, Community Homeless Solutions operates a respite care center following stays in local hospitals. The organization’s Big Idea is to renovate the current facilities to provide a more comfortable and functional environment for participants, typically unhoused people aged 65 to 80. Donations will help with projects like replacing floors and beds and remodeling the kitchen. “[The respite care center] has truly helped in my recovery from an injury. The staff are so much help, they take extra steps to really make sure the clients are OK—not only medically. They took the time to really get to know me and I had the chance to open up to them, and that improved my emotional state. I like how they are always asking how you feel, if I’ve taken my meds, also helping me find housing. I truly can write a book about this program but even more about the staff who work here. I have nothing but love and respect for them.” -Joel Murillo Community Human Services Year Founded: 1969 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 120 paid, 5 volunteers Budget: $12,460,005 658-3811 chservices.org Big Idea: Community Human Services’ (CHS) Big Idea is tackling a big goal; ending homelessness in Monterey County. This organization helps by providing shelter to people in need and assisting with rapid rehousing activities, like taking care of rent application fees and security deposits. Donations help support street outreach programs, Safe Place Youth Shelter, Safe Passage Transitional Housing Program, and our shelters for single women and families with children, Casa de Noche Buena shelter and Shuman HeartHouse. “I came to Casa de Noche Buena from Genesis House, CHS’ residential drug treatment program. I was pregnant and newly sober. During my first 90 days, the baby’s father died unexpectedly, and my eldest daughter attempted suicide. I also made the hardest decision of my life—to give my newborn baby up for adoption. It was very difficult, and I was struggling. I don’t think I would have made it without the support of the staff. They helped me get my Section 8 voucher and find a studio apartment. With their guidance and encouragement, I also found a job after being unemployed for eight years. And I recently became a shelter monitor! It’s been really special to be able to give back to the program that changed my life and provide hope and help to women who are in the same place I was just two years ago.” -Crystal S. Community Partnership for Youth Year Founded: 1992 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 41 paid, 531 volunteers Budget: $1,297,858 595-1471 cpy.org Big Idea: Throughout the year, high school students can learn the life skills necessary to succeed at work with the help of Community Partnership for Youth (CPY). This Big Idea is called the High School Leadership, Life Skills & Job Preparation program, in which students are employed as mentors to I-HELP Year Founded: 1994 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 9 paid, 300 volunteers Budget: $330,000 251-8663 ihelpmontereybay.org Big Idea: If someone needs shelter, they can find it every night without any waiting list or qualifications through I-HELP—the Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program. This Big Idea provides a safe place at night and a hot dinner, 365 days a year, via a network of partnering local faith communities in Pacific Grove, Marina, Seaside, Monterey and Carmel Valley. Donations pay part-time staff who drive the I-HELP buses to shelter locations and provide security over the men and women sleeping each night. “I-HELP keeps you safe. Thank you for the churches that provide the shelter and the delicious homemade food and desserts. It is like your home for a while. When I was sick, they cared and waited up for me to return from the hospital. The bus drivers keep you safe. The staff encouraged me to keep working on my housing application. After being on waiting lists for two years, I finally got my own senior apartment. Thank you, God.” -Angela Martinez spotlight These volunteers are my neighbors, whose homes were also in the fire’s path when they rushed to defend ours.” Meredith May, Cachagua Fire Association
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