46 Monterey County GIVES! 2024 mcgives.com Community & Social Services DONate online mcgives.com husband and I worked were flooded, so my family was out of our main income for many months. My house was also impacted; we lost many items. Catholic Charities helped us during the most difficult time of our lives. Thanks to their services, we were able to pay rent, buy food and replace many items in our home. They also helped us connect with other services. I am grateful for the warmth of their employees. From the first call I made, they made me feel comfortable and at ease. They took the time to listen and also explain their programs. If I see someone at work or in school with such needs, I would tell them: ‘Go, because one way or another I think they can help you.’” -Olga Center for Community Advocacy Year Founded: 1990 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 30 paid, 50 volunteers Budget: $1,600,000 753-2324 cca-viva.org Big Idea: Our farmworker community does the work to nourish us with fresh produce and powers our local economy. But who steps in to nourish them? The Center for Community Advocacy supports farmworkers in their efforts to improve working and living conditions for their community. CCA trains volunteer health promoters, focusing on chronic disease prevention and behavioral health. Donations to this Big Idea help make a lasting impact on those who sustain our agricultural industry, helping them organize and train to build tools to advocate effectively for causes that matter to them. “CCA hosted a free yoga class at the Sanborn Community Center for 11 women and one child. Graciela Vega shared with Norma, our lead health organizer, how the class helped her. Vega, who had knee problems from working in the fields, joined the class and noticed significant physical and mental improvements. The yoga sessions alleviated her knee pain, enhancing her ability to perform daily activities and improving her quality of life. Vega emphasized the importance of these free, intimate classes for both physical and mental health.” -CCA staff Central Coast Interfaith Sponsors (COPA) Year Founded: 2003 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 3 paid, 250 volunteers Budget: $350,000 728-3210 copaiaf.org Big Idea: Central Coast Interfaith Sponsors brings together a diverse coalition of nearly 30 religious congregations, labor unions, schools and nonprofits. These organizations collaborate to solve some of our community’s most challenging issues, including preparing tomorrow’s workforce for in-demand careers. COPA’s Big Idea is to launch the Workforce Development Intermediary Project, a multi-year program connecting people with emerging careers in health care, manufacturing, trades and information technology. Donations will support workforce and skills training and wraparound services like rental assistance, child care and scholarships. “My participation in COPA has been a very transformative experience as a community leader. Just this year I had the unique opportunity to testify twice in Sacramento, first in front of Assembly Judiciary and then in front of Senate Judiciary, on my experience as a young professional trying to find a place to live. I also sat down with officials “I now actively use my voice at city council meetings, school board meetings and other community forums.” -Paris C., 16, Building Healthy Communities Big Sur Fire Year Founded: 1974 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 2 paid, 24 volunteers Budget: $770,000 667-2113 bigsurfire.org Big Idea: This nonprofit, volunteer fire department continues to deliver on its straightforward mission to help anyone who needs it. Donations will support Big Sur Fire’s Big Idea: to help this all-volunteer organization pay its bills and keep on serving the community. Big Sur Fire is the only 911 all-risk emergency response organization south of the Bixby Bridge to the county line, covering a rugged area of more than 300 square miles. The small team handles more than 250 emergency calls annually, serving Big Sur’s residents and millions of visitors. “Big Sur Fire is a lifeline to the beloved community of Big Sur. It is made up of men and women who cherish this place we call home. At any given moment when sirens are heard through the valley, every resident of Big Sur knows without a doubt a member of Big Sur Fire will be on the scene. Big Sur Fire does more than being first on scene for emergencies. They take time out of their busy schedules to be part of educating the children of our community, visiting Captain Cooper School each year to teach children about fire and earthquake safety. I remember Big Sur Fire coming to holiday parties and helping Santa deliver presents to the children!” -Vickie Perez spotlight
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==