70 Monterey County GIVES! 2023 mcgives.com Community & Social Services DONate online mcgives.com free English as a Second Language classes and the ongoing speaker and film series that invites the community to think critically about societal issues. “At every phase of my life, I have witnessed the struggle for peace, from the height of the arms race and the end of the Cold War, to Operation Desert Storm and the Iraq War in 2003. It was at the beginning of the Iraq War that I first became aware of the Monterey Peace and Justice Center as a unifying presence for local peace activists and community advocates here in our immediate community. They have continued to advocate for peace and justice in the County of Monterey for almost 20 years! It is important to keep this valuable community resource open and flourishing, now, and for the next seven generations.” -Luis Xago Juarez Monterey Peninsula Pride Year Founded: 2017 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 75 volunteers Budget: $35,000 227-1184 montereypeninsulapride.org Big Idea: A team of volunteers delivers the annual Out and Proud Celebration and Parade every year, with more than 3,000 participants. Donations help support this Big Idea and signature event from Monterey Peninsula Pride, which features local singers and dancers in addition to a parade meant to facilitate collective healing. Some of the major expenses for this event include permits, security and to compensate the local LGBTQ+ performers who provide the “celebration” part of the occasion. “Monterey Pride was a great way to go out and support my family, friends and my local LGBTQIA+ community. It was awesome to see how much support there was from so many local organizations, businesses, faith communities and leaders! Pride made me extra proud to be a part of Monterey’s local community.” -Bryan Curl National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) Monterey County Year Founded: 1993 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 2 paid, 9 volunteers Budget: $8,218 231-4052 ncbimonterey.org Big Idea: The National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) has a Big Idea to respond to recent incidents of racism, homophobia, antisemitism and other forms of discrimination in Monterey County and local schools. NCBI plans to host additional CommUNITY conversations to provide a forum for residents to heal and be heard. Breakout sessions will also be planned, to provide a way for participants to share the experiences of oppression of their affinity group such as LGBTQ+ youth and students of color. “Over a 10-year period, I witnessed over 60-plus workshops conducted by NCBI for high school students in Monterey County, using the NCBI model and principles. As a staff person myself at the school, it was apparent that these dramatically shifted campus culture for the positive. As an outcome, workshops empowered students and also offered skills for how to be an ally to each other. In a follow-up student evaluation form, one student commented how these workshops were so effective: ‘I liked how enthusiastic [student leaders] were. This is the best presentation this year.’ I have also participated in several NCBI workshops myself as an adult. The facilitators are the most passionate, dedicated and skillful leaders. NCBI is a fantastic resource for any community that wants to build bridges. I highly recommend their work.” -Valerie Stack It is a caring community that helps seniors build, not only new skills, but new friendships.” CJ Jackson, Alliance on Aging Suicide Prevention Service Year Founded: 1957 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 25 paid, 35 volunteers Budget: $881,493 459-9373 suicidepreventionservicecc.org Big Idea: For survivors of suicide loss, the grief process involves challenges that others may not understand. That’s why the team at Suicide Prevention Service—a Family Service Agency of the Central Coast program—has a Big Idea to support its Survivor Outreach Team. This team is led by peers who have also endured suicide loss, creating a safe space for understanding the complexities of grief. While loved ones of those lost to suicide may feel isolated in their journey, the efforts of this nonprofit strive to offer them a place to heal and be understood. This Big Idea happens in parallel to other services, like prevention outreach and staffing a crisis hotline. “The support group meetings have been so incredibly helpful. Everyone has been supportive from the facilitators to the other members, every time I call you. I don’t know how to thank you enough.” -Anonymous spotlight
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