74 Monterey County GIVES! 2024 mcgives.com DONate online mcgives.com Education & Youth AIM Youth Mental Health Year Founded: 2014 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 5 paid, 84 volunteers Budget: $442,225 372-1600 aimymh.org Big Idea: AIM Youth Mental Health’s Big Idea is as big as they come: provide hope so no young person suffers from mental illness. The 10-year-old nonprofit achieves this through youth programs like AIM Ideas Lab, an innovative, youth-led program that empowers high school students to identify and promote their own recommendations for solving the youth mental health crisis. Mental Health First Aid, another program backed by this Big Idea, trains teenagers and caring adults to recognize and respond to youth mental health challenges. “AIM Ideas Lab addresses a significant gap in children’s mental health care: the voices of youth themselves. The impact of this program has potential to be profound. The field has been increasingly recognizing the critical importance of input from individuals with lived experience, and the great value of having that input from youths specifically. Each year, AIM Ideas Lab Youth Researchers shed light on the state of youth mental health in their communities, sharing new findings, challenges and promoting solutions.” -Dr. Hilary Blumberg Big Sur Park School Year Founded: 2018 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 8 paid, 6 volunteers Budget: $256,291 (925) 818-1806 bigsurparkschool.org Big Idea: With the stunning natural surroundings of Big Sur Park School’s outdoor classroom, it is no surprise teaching the next generation to be compassionate environmental stewards is a core part of the curriculum. But this progressive educational alternative for kids under 3 also builds a healthy foundation, supporting social and emotional development and communication skills. Exploration and inquiry is key for this early childcare provider in Big Sur, the only provider available in this unique rural community. “As a former parent and current board member, I have witnessed the importance of outdoor education in our increasingly digital world and am excited to see Big Sur Park School continue to grow and benefit our community’s children and working families. This invaluable program provides the only preschool curriculum for the Big Sur community. Our daughter thrived at Big Sur Park School during her earliest developmental years in the program. Much like the natural forces on the Big Sur landscape, the nature-based approach and model challenged and nurtured her innate curiosity, fostering independence, resilience and confidence.” -Jennifer Lape Bob Hoover Academy Year Founded: 2014 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 1 paid, 4 volunteers Budget: $450,000 785-7128 bobhooveracademy.org Big Idea: Did you know aviation is projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries in the next two decades? Bob Hoover Academy trains students to fly and maintain airplanes to meet demand for pilots, mechanics, engineers and support crews—all while earning their high school diploma. Its mission is to inspire underserved teens to engage in science, technology, engineering and math—capturing students’ imagination and expanding classroom learning, all while developing applicable aviation skills. This Big Idea seeks donations to expand the academy’s food and wellness program, providing lunch and snacks to hungry students, in addition to funding for driver’s education classes and field trips. “The Bob Hoover Academy has changed my life forever. Prior to attending, I had no experience flying and a poor academic record. I was the president of the student council, I graduated with a high GPA and passed my written exam working ARIEL Theatrical Year Founded: 1989 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 11 paid, 100 volunteers Budget: $589,512 775-0976 arieltheatrical.org Big Idea: As ARIEL Theatrical prepares to bring Finding Nemo Jr. and The Little Red Hen to the stage next year, a core group of teens work behind-the-scenes to support these youth-driven productions. ARIEL’s Youth Leadership Program teaches leadership and employment skills as the company’s teens support younger performers, assist the production team and deliver the nonprofit’s mission to help young people learn to lead principle-centered lives. Donations to this Big Idea help expand the program to reach more teens and get them involved with the stage. “I have only been a part of ARIEL for two years, but it feels like ARIEL has been a part of me for much longer. I immediately felt welcomed and accepted at ARIEL. ARIEL has taught me so much, not just about who I am, but who I want to be. I am grateful, not only for what ARIEL has done for me, but what ARIEL’s teachings have done for others, through me. I look forward to being an accountable, respectful, integrity-filled, and excellent leader for the rest of my life and showing others how to do the same.” -Josephine Swanson spotlight “Balancing schoolwork and playtime is important.” -Colton S., 11, Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County
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