114 Monterey County GIVES! 2024 mcgives.com Health, Wellness & Food DONate online mcgives.com “Just having someone listen to what I have experienced and what I’m going through, that’s been clutch, that’s been key for me. The bigger the thing is you are going through, the more important it is to bring it to something like Breakthrough. Learning how to deal with things and emotions that are challenging allows you the space that you need so that you can let your children deal with their emotions and guide them through that process…being able to be there for them, allow them to have their feelings and yet support them through that process, has been massive. Breakthrough is a community of caring, committed connection.” -Marcus Mateus Cancer Patients Alliance Year Founded: 2001 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 8 paid, 150 volunteers Budget: $752,184 658-0600 cancerpatientsalliance.org Big Idea: The Cancer Patients Alliance aims to expand its services to reach all of Monterey County. After nearly 25 years of advocating for low-income Latinos and farmworkers, this Big Idea is focusing its efforts on North County, Marina, Seaside and Big Sur areas. Donations help this nonprofit reach qualified cancer patients in these areas, while continuing to share this population’s story: one that often includes struggles to receive proper diagnoses, medical access and reasonable treatment for cancer. “I have been very pleased with the oncology initiatives of our local Cancer Patients Alliance nonprofit in terms of their advocacy and support for low-income Latinos and farmworkers with cancer in Monterey County.” -Oguchi Nkwocha, MD, Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas Carmel Foundation Year Founded: 1950 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 18 paid, 97 volunteers Budget: $2,816,338 624-1588 carmelfoundation.org Big Idea: By 2030, 25 percent of Californians will be 60 or older—at a time when the rising cost of living is increasingly difficult for someone on a fixed income. Carmel Foundation’s Big Idea seeks to help with affordable, healthy meals, available as on-site, curbside pickup and delivery meals. More than nutrition, in-person dining also provides a chance for connection, reducing harmful social isolation. In 2023, Carmel Foundation prepared and served more than 23,000 meals. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Carmel Foundation, from the bottom of my heart for your excellent homebound meals program! I took care of my dear elderly mother for several years. The healthy and delicious food definitely made things easier for the two of us. At age 101, my mother passed away recently. Now the program helps me as I am in pain and can barely walk while I am awaiting hip replacement surgery.” -E.M. Central Coast VNA & Hospice Year Founded: 1951 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 183 paid, 36 volunteers Budget: $30,972,353 372-6668 ccvna.com Big Idea: Caregiving options? Advance directives? Insurance coverage? Navigating the health care system is infinitely more manageable with a well-informed advocate in your corner. Central Coast VNA Breast Cancer Assistance Group Year Founded: 1997 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 40 volunteers Budget: $370,610 649-6365 bcagmc.org Big Idea: The Breast Cancer Assistance Group (BCAG) is an all-volunteer group of breast cancer survivors who raise money to help others currently navigating their cancer journey. These volunteers help fund food, gas, utilities and other out-of-pocket costs that are not covered by medical insurance and most at-risk when patients must take unpaid time off of work. A breast cancer diagnosis is emotionally, physically and financially draining. Donations to BCAG’s Big Idea help alleviate some of these heavy burdens. “As a 43-year-old mother of three, hearing the words ‘cancer’ followed by ‘chemotherapy’ was not only devastating but also a life-altering diagnosis. I never imagined I would have breast cancer at my age. My best friend suggested I contact BCAG for assistance. I spoke with one of the BCAG board members, who is also a breast cancer survivor. I felt an immediate connection and our conversation filled me with hope. The grant provided by BCAG has allowed me to worry less about my financial situation, helping me to focus more on my health and wellness and spend quality time with my loved ones.” -Amber Albertoni spotlight “I’ve begun to rebuild my life. I’ve found strength, resilience, and newfound hope amid the ashes of my past.” -Waheda Karzai, Equine Healing Collaborative
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