112 Monterey County GIVES! 2024 mcgives.com Health, Wellness & Food DONate online mcgives.com Alzheimer’s Association Year Founded: 1987 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 5 paid, 125 volunteers Budget: $500,000 647-9890 alz.org/norcal Big Idea: More than 8,500 Monterey County residents live with Alzheimer’s disease, a statistic predicted to nearly double by 2040. But big medical breakthroughs mean, for the first time, medications may slow the progression of mild cognitive impairment and early dementia caused by Alzheimer’s. The local Alzheimer’s Association’s Big Idea magnifies the impact of this breakthrough by advocating for more early detection and diagnosis. In addition to awareness, donations also fund promising research— leading to more Big Idea breakthroughs. “My mom passed away after 10 years of living with Alzheimer’s disease. I was her caregiver for the last two years of her life. The support I received from the Alzheimer’s Association played a huge part in keeping me going. Thank you for your support, workshops and for donating Alzheimer’s awareness bracelets for my mom’s celebration of life.” -Anne Brooks Blind and Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County Year Founded: 1971 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 11 paid, 4 volunteers Budget: $850,000 649-3505 blindandlowvision.org Big Idea: The Blind and Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County is planning a Big Idea expansion at the Alliance on Aging’s HUB senior services center. Donations will help support the new Marjorie R. McNeely Low Vision Clinic of the Salinas Valley, a full-time, low-vision clinic and assistive technology room. These additional services will help this nonprofit reach 150 more people in need. Donations also bolster the Center’s current HUB offerings, support groups, braille classes, and orientation and mobility (O&M) training. “Thank you again for the excellent O&M discussion and training, all delivered with such a relaxed and personalized approach. Along with my learning the various techniques and strategies, it importantly helped me better understand my blind spots. Some work to do to become confident in crossing a busy Ocean Avenue and San Carlos intersection, but I believe I have the basics from which to develop that confidence. Thanks again for your support.” -Scott Lonergan Breakthrough Men’s Community Year Founded: 1985 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 3 paid, 150 volunteers Budget: $298,424 375-5441 breakthroughformen.org Big Idea: In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General said we are suffering an “epidemic of loneliness.” Breakthrough Men’s Community describes its purpose as “men supporting men to uncover aliveness and build fulfilling relationships.” This Big Idea aims to confront “toxic masculinity” and help men learn skills to free themselves from isolating, non-productive, painful or unworkable situations and start to re-engage with life. Breakthrough helps men develop healthier relationships with themselves and their loved ones in a caring and supportive community. Big Sur Health Center Year Founded: 1979 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 9 paid, 35 volunteers Budget: $1,025,258 667-2580 bigsurhealthcenter.org Big Idea: While Big Sur earns headlines as a luxury vacation destination, Big Sur Health Center reminds us that its year-round residents are a diverse population facing some unique challenges—like a lack of public transportation for locals needing health care, coupled with a long distance to most medical care facilities. This nonprofit health care provider uses a sliding scale fee structure, providing a flexible way for residents to get the care they need. Last year, this Big Idea delivered discounted services to 108 uninsured patients and assisted 356 patients using government-subsidized insurance. Providing care and early intervention locally for many patients means the difference between seeing a doctor or not. “We absolutely love the Big Sur Health Center! Each one of our boys loves going to the doctor’s office in the redwoods. The staff has an incredible capacity for compassion. Their smiles as we walk in make us feel warm and welcome. And the sliding scale policy makes our wallets feel great too! Thank you for providing such affordable health care.” -Freya Peters spotlight “Just having someone listen to what I have experienced and what I’m going through, that’s been clutch.” -Marcus Mateus, Breakthrough Men’s Community
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