56 Monterey County GIVES! 2023 mcgives.com Community & Social Services DONate online mcgives.com launch the very first One Book, One Community event in Carmel Valley to unite the community by reading a book together and celebrating with a week of events. “While Monterey County [Free Libraries] and grants cover library collection, programming and operating needs, the costs are not covered 100 percent. Some items such as new patio furniture and re-landscaping the garden area were covered 100-percent by Friends of the Carmel Valley Library. The patio is now an inviting outdoor space that patrons use regularly. FOCVL’s continuing support of the library ensures that the Carmel Valley community enjoys all that their library can offer in terms of materials, programs and welcoming environment.” -Eddy Hamelin, librarian/branch manager Fund for Homeless Women Year Founded: 1945 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 22 paid, 61 volunteers Budget: $4,585,000 375-9712 fundforhomelesswomen.org Big Idea: This fund at the Community Foundation for Monterey County provides direct assistance to homeless women facing immediate hardships. This Big Idea, the Emergency Special Needs Support for Homeless Women fund, helps erase the everyday roadblocks that become emergencies when homeless, like moving expenses, utility assistance, or even a simple flat tire. Because the unexpected can’t be planned, this fund helps protect vulnerable women in our community during times of critical need. “After my retirement from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey County, I knew I wanted to give back to my community and the question was ‘how?’ What could I be passionate about? How can I make a difference? I found the Fund for Homeless Women. The statistics of homeless women are staggering, with over 500 unaccompanied homeless women on the Monterey Peninsula. As I learned about these women I realized they could be any of us. Working, in school, or a paycheck away from homelessness. Over the past six years, I have invested my time and dollars to the fund. The Fund has impacted the lives of our homeless women, providing funding to organizations who provide food, clothing, connections to health services and education, just to name a few. I have found my passion!” -Donna Ferraro Fund for Independent Journalism in Monterey County Year Founded: 2002 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 14 volunteers Budget: $100,000 394-5656 journalism.montereycountyweekly.com Big Idea: In the very newsworthy years between 2006 to 2021, newsroom jobs declined by 60 percent and citizens started to turn to social media for their news. The Fund for Independent Journalism in Monterey County prioritizes investing in quality journalism as its way to hold institutions accountable, report the truth about critical issues, and strengthen the community. This nonprofit’s Big Idea includes hiring a reporter dedicated to reporting on climate change and weather stories, beginning in 2024. “I have greatly appreciated your work for years and for having benefited freely from it. I am contributing a small amount now, quarterly, as a token of that appreciation.” -Adele N. Gateway Center of Monterey County Year Founded: 1963 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 102 paid, 39 volunteers Budget: $6,300,000 372-8002 gatewaycenter.org Big Idea: Gateway Center of Monterey County’s Big Idea delivers a Without Walls experience, where Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services Year Founded: 1998 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 21 paid, 198 volunteers Budget: $2,550,000 724-9100 jacobsheart.org Big Idea: The emotional support program at Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services offers a wide spectrum of options to help families cope with a child’s cancer diagnosis. This Big Idea offers individual counseling, support groups, a grief retreat, and art therapy to all members of a family, including anyone they think of as family. All activities are culturally relevant and age-appropriate, with the goal to improve the quality of life for children with cancer and support their families in the challenges they face. “Jacob’s Heart has helped us with transportation, gas cards and financial assistance, which is a lot, especially during these difficult times when we are unable to work because we take care of our daughter. We have struggled financially and we are extremely glad to get help from Jacob’s Heart. Everyone is so nice and Kelly loves receiving monthly letters and getting to read all the sweet messages.” -Blanca Navarro spotlight You are now part of my story of success.” Anonymous guest, Gathering for Women
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