42 Monterey County GIVES! 2024 mcgives.com Community & Social Services DONate online mcgives.com Alliance on Aging Year Founded: 1970 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 27 paid, 214 volunteers Budget: $2,300,000 655-7564 allianceonaging.org Big Idea: The Alliance on Aging’s Big Idea comes with a big word and an even bigger purpose. The Alliance’s ombudsman program provides a voice for our region’s seniors, helping them communicate incidents of abuse and neglect in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Already reaching more than 25,000 older adults annually, the Alliance on Aging is seeking donations to expand this program and hire additional staff to meet the needs of Monterey County’s growing senior population. “Before becoming a volunteer at Alliance on Aging, I didn’t realize how many services and activities the agency has. The Medicare counseling program provides information about all the different options. They provide free tax preparation services. The ombudsman program empowers residents at assisted living facilities to advocate for themselves and, when requested, advocate on their behalf, or be present to support residents as they advocate for their rights. The Hub is always bustling with free activities for seniors to enjoy. They have free ballroom dancing, movies, cooking, yoga and computer classes. As the county’s population ages, Alliance on Aging will continue to be an invaluable resource.” -CJ Jackson American Red Cross of the Central Coast Year Founded: 1916 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 7 paid, 338 volunteers Budget: $1,672,211 624-6921 redcross.org/local/california/northern-california-coastal Big Idea: In March 2023, when the levee break in Pajaro grabbed national headlines, the American Red Cross of the Central Coast was there. When there was a house fire in Seaside, the local chapter was there too. Whether the emergency is large or small, it’s an emergency nonetheless—and the American Red Cross’ Big Idea serves our community with immediate and long-term disaster relief. This century-old organization also lends its expertise with disaster preparation, like installing smoke alarms during its Sound the Alarm event. “I cannot help everyone in the entire world, but I can help the people in need. The best organization for helping people in need is the Red Cross. And it’s free and it comes heart-to-heart.” -Aidin Shahi Building Healthy Communities (BHC) – Monterey County Year Founded: 1994 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 58 paid, 200 volunteers Budget: $7,337,769 783-1244 bhcmontereycounty.org Big Idea: Building Healthy Communities is dedicated to discovering and supporting the unique contributions youth make to thriving communities. Action teams like Ciclovía Salinas harness youth leadership—in this case, to organize a block party with streets closed off to traffic, providing recreation and resources to the community. Monterey County Black Caucus, another program of BHC, encourages healing and community-driven organizing within the local Black community. This Big Idea provides a unique space to ensure that Black, Brown and Indigenous residents are not forgotten in the priorities of Monterey County, giving them the tools to advance the public policy agenda. “Participating in BHC’s action teams—The Monterey County Black Caucus, Wellness Wednesday and Seaside Rising Youth Leadership Academy—has profoundly impacted my life. These programs have broadened my outlook on society, enhancing my personal development and boosted my confidence. I now actively use my voice at city council meetings, school board meetings and other community forums, knowing that my contributions make a difference in strengthening our community. Engaging with this work has significantly increased my involvement in community events and civic activities. I’ve embraced a more prominent youth leadership role, learning the “I enjoy having the chance to collaborate with people in my community.” -Kiara J., Coalition of Homeless Services Providers Al & Friends Sunday Breakfast Year Founded: 2010 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 40 volunteers Budget: $75,000 224-7894 alandfriends.org Big Idea: If there was an icon to symbolize the effort made by Al & Friends’ Sunday breakfasts, served at Window on the Bay in Monterey, that icon may be Dora the Truck. For the last 12 years, this vehicle has reliably helped carry hearty meals to hundreds of hungry people. As this all-volunteer operation adopts sustainable practices, the next step is investing in an electric or hybrid vehicle. Donations to this Big Idea help boost the growing Retire Dora fund. Volunteers continue cooking and serving breakfast to all in need once a week, and this vehicle supports that mission. “We can survive without the delicious breakfast, but it’s the community that is created here that makes me feel really welcome and I really appreciate that more than you could know.” -Anonymous spotlight
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