92 Monterey County GIVES! 2023 mcgives.com Education & Youth DONate online mcgives.com “My dream is to become a doctor/scientist. Because of the attentive faculty at MPC and the golden opportunity I was granted through a summer research program, I am a community college student who can say, ‘I am a scientist!’ This past summer was life-changing. I had the chance to do research and present that research at a national conference. It feels surreal and I still have goosebumps. It’s so amazing to me that this is only the beginning.” -Sarah Semple Monterey Public Library Friends & Foundation Year Founded: 1999 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 62 volunteers Budget: $162,971 646-5605 investinmpl.org Big Idea: Libraries inspire wonder through exposure to imaginary worlds, diverse perspectives and fresh concepts. The Monterey Public Library hopes to inspire a greater understanding and appreciation of the world with its I HeART Libraries for Literacy initiative. Donations to this Big Idea help support the library’s three-way approach to promote art literacy: more free and accessible art programs, a local art lending program, and an inspiring new mural at the historic Monterey Public Library. “Working at the library as a muralist was a dream experience for me. The staff were friendly, welcoming and accommodating to me and my assistant. The mural process was embraced from start to finish, which is all an artist could ask for. I am grateful to be involved with a library that celebrates and elevates local artists.” -Natalia Corazza MY Museum Year Founded: 1997 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 12 paid, 50 volunteers Budget: $609,000 649-6444 mymuseum.org Big Idea: As schools and families continue to recover from the effects of the pandemic, MY Museum is committing to welcoming everyone back to its popular children’s museum. This Big Idea extends reduced-rate or free field trips for qualifying schools and child development agencies serving low- and moderate-income families. With 55,000 annual visitors, MY Museum remains dedicated to providing fun, friendly, and enriching early childhood education for everyone in the Monterey County community. “We drove by and saw this place and I decided to bring my 3-year-old. I think this place is reasonably priced at $10 per person to play. The place is amazing. I love that it really helps kids use their imagination. There are so many sections, including a place where you can do art. This place is a dream come true for any kid. We will definitely be back.” -Isaiah G. O’Neill Sea Odyssey Year Founded: 1996 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 3 paid, 20 volunteers Budget: $1,075,102 475-1561 oneillseaodyssey.org Big Idea: The ocean ecosystem plays a crucial role in regulating our weather patterns and nourishing our agricultural economy. While vitally important, many students in South Monterey County face financial barriers to interacting with the benefits and lessons of the ocean. More than 70 percent of students This isn’t just a playground, it’s a beacon of hope, acceptance and joy.” Theresa Murray, Tatum’s Garden Foundation Salinas Regional Soccer Complex Year Founded: 2005 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 2 paid, 115 volunteers Budget: $949,238 756-6312 salinassoccer.org Big Idea: The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex can measure its Big Idea—and it’s big. This nonprofit seeks donations to help with its huge expansion project, tripling the size of the Complex and adding redeveloped soccer fields and a walking path. Donations to the current stage of the project assist with safety improvements for the parking lot and sidewalks and installation of a futsal court. This massive project enhances facilities that are used by more than 6,000 people each week. “This is much more than soccer—it is about creating opportunities for our youth to learn about teamwork, about sportsmanship, about commitment, and it is certainly about putting more of our community’s youth and families on a pathway to success—and to better physical and mental health, which is very important now more than ever. Sports have always been a critical vehicle to ensuring that we develop not just our next great athletes out of this region, but also our next great leaders.” -Robert Rivas, 71st Speaker of the California State Assembly spotlight
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