80 Monterey County GIVES! 2024 mcgives.com DONate online mcgives.com Education & Youth First Tee Monterey County Year Founded: 2004 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 75 paid, 154 volunteers Budget: $5,109,485 800-3458 firstteemontereycounty.org Big Idea: After 20 years delivering its unique blend of golf and life skills, First Tee Monterey County now reaches more than 15,000 youth annually in Monterey County. The expansion means program costs are increasing too—especially the transportation budget. First Tee’s Big Idea will establish the Tee Fleet, two to four SUVs that travel to programs in Salinas, North County, South County and the Monterey Peninsula. Donations will support the initial purchase and maintenance of these vehicles. “I had such an amazing time as a participant, volunteer and eventual staff member at First Tee. I not only learned how to be a better golfer, but it helped prepare me to be successful in life and my career. First Tee equipped me with the necessary life skills to navigate personal and professional growth through a formative time of my life. I am grateful that a program like this exists in communities that truly need it the most. It is there to open doors and provide mentorship to participants who need this type of guidance and who otherwise wouldn’t know what kind of support is available to them.” -Reinel Pauline Nocon Foundation for Monterey County Free Libraries Year Founded: 1989 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 1 paid, 20 volunteers Budget: $400,000 424-3564 fmcfl.org Big Idea: The 17 branches of the Monterey County Free Libraries, and the Bookmobile’s additional 15 rural stops, connect one of the most extensive library systems in California. Since 1989, the Foundation has contributed over $4 million to this library system, supporting essential programs for everyone in the community like the Summer Reading Club, afterschool support centers, book drives and technology hubs. Donations to this timeless Big Idea help the library respond to the needs of each unique community. “Javier started coming to the library when he was in second grade to get help with his homework. He had difficulty completing his homework because he did not speak English or Spanish. Over time, Javier learned both languages and continued to come to the library for homework help. He saw the volunteers at the library as an inspiration to help others in the community. In high school, Javier paid it forward by helping students with their homework and helping people prepare for the citizenship exam and interview. He is currently a student at CSUMB whose goal is to become a politician to advocate for his community. This spirit of helping others continues through college with Javier helping tutor children with homework and reading, while at the same time making the Dean’s List.” -Ariana Magana Friends of the Salinas Public Library Year Founded: 1975 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 27 volunteers Budget: $26,000 758-7182 friendsofthesalinaspubliclibrary.org Big Idea: Friends of the Salinas Public Library supports early literacy with programs like Books at Birth Year (BABY), which gave six books to infants during their first year. As Salinas ranks low among national literacy rates, this year’s Big Idea focuses on kindergarten preparation. This nonprofit aims to distribute school-readiness backpacks to kindergarteners, who will then attend Kinder Boot Camp. This week-long summer program will help teach social skills and school routines while, of course, providing free books. “We have our daily reading time and my kids love it, especially Gabriel, who is 1 year old. We loved being in the BABY Program.” -Alondra Ramos Chartwell School Year Founded: 1983 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 81 paid, 200 volunteers Budget: $9,813,601 394-3468 chartwell.org Big Idea: Literacy is an essential human right, is the belief at Chartwell School. This unique educational institution empowers students with learning-based language differences, such as dyslexia, that one in five children face. In addition to its college preparatory program and scholarship program, this Big Idea also supports the Chartwell Teaching Institute (CTI) teacher training to provide educators with the tools to unlock reading. In 2023, CTI trained 400 teachers who returned to their classrooms to impact 10,000 students. “Here’s my perspective as we are almost a month in. What I am seeing is much more than what my child is telling me. I see a kid who has to get up way earlier in the morning, but with no argument. I see a kid coming home from school after a long commute, but with a mostly relaxed demeanor and a general positive outlook. I see a glimpse of confidence and I do not see the weight of anxiousness that he used to carry throughout the day. Thank you and your team for loving and supporting him.” -Parent of an eighth-grader from Santa Cruz spotlight “I know I can reach my goals and do anything I want!” -Isabella R., 12, Girls Inc. of the Central Coast
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