88 Monterey County GIVES! 2024 mcgives.com DONate online mcgives.com Education & Youth “I will be forever grateful for the opportunities my scholarship and internship through the MPC Foundation provided me. I realized that computer science is more than just writing lines of code, it is a discipline that develops my way of thinking in order to solve problems. I was accepted to UC Berkeley and Stanford University, and I genuinely think I wouldn’t have gotten into those good schools if it wasn’t for my internship at the Foundation. I don’t even think there is a way to repay what the Foundation has given me; but I hope somehow and some way I can make it up in the future. I am transferring to Stanford this fall to study computer science and I will always be grateful for my time at the MPC Foundation!” -Fauzan Rahman MY Museum Year Founded: 1997 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 14 paid, 50 volunteers Budget: $594,890 649-6444 mymuseum.org Big Idea: The inviting and cheerful MY Museum beckons anyone (of any age) to participate in its interactive, educational and fun exhibits. And this nonprofit’s Big Idea helps make it possible for anyone to pass through those welcoming doors. Donations support MY Museum’s school subsidy program offering reduced field trip rates and free chaperones for schools and agencies serving youth from low- and moderate-income families. Additionally, as a member of the national Museums for All program, families receiving CalFresh or WIC receive reduced admission. “Awesome children’s discovery museum. We love this place and frequent it. Very thoughtful design and on-theme (Monterey/California) attractions for all ages. Love the craft center and breakouts of live music! My kids never get sick of this place.” -Meredith M. Partners for Peace (P4P) Year Founded: 1995 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 20 paid, 124 volunteers Budget: $1,300,000 754-3888 partners4peace.org Big Idea: Partners for Peace is a violence-prevention organization serving Salinas and Soledad, helping families learn tools to thrive peacefully among the challenges of modern life. P4P’s Big Idea seeks to expand its STEP UP weekly mentoring program for sixth- to ninth-graders. This program focuses on five key elements: social-emotional development, money management, career readiness, civic engagement/ leadership, and academic success. Donations support weekly programming and monthly field trips to reward mentees. “Serving as a mentor for Soledad has been a great honor, allowing me to return to my community and make a meaningful impact on local youth. I witnessed firsthand how the program profoundly benefited the participants, who gained invaluable skills. Many learned to communicate more effectively with others, understand the importance of self-care, manage their finances, explore diverse career paths, cope with stress and set healthy boundaries in their relationships, among numerous other transformative lessons.” -Johana Paniagua Vega Pebble Beach Junior Golf Association Year Founded: 1988 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 4 paid, 30 volunteers Budget: $250,000 625-1555 attpbjrgolf.com Big Idea: To help fight childhood obesity in Monterey County, which affects 22 percent of youth, Pebble Beach Junior Golf Association partners with schools to help 2,000 kids learn physical literacy and the joy of movement. Donations will propel this Big Idea to reach 5,000 local kids and eventually compile data from student assessments into a kid-friendly online platform to supplement existing physical education in schools and motivate students to get more exercise. “I have been playing in Pebble Beach Junior Golf Association tournaments since I was 7. Competing with other female golfers has allowed me to grow tremendously. Usually, I was paired up randomly with girls I did not know. When I was younger, I struggled with this concept. But as I continued to compete in these tournaments, I learned how to effectively interact with these girls, creating lifelong friendships. Another way PBJGA has challenged me is through learning proper sportsmanship in competition. Strengthening this skill has been difficult but rewarding. I experienced finishing in both first place and last place countless times. I learned the importance of being a good sport on and off the course, win or lose. Without Pebble Beach Junior Golf Association, I would not be the person that I am today.” -Sophie Southard Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Year Founded: 2007 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 2 paid, 37 volunteers Budget: $270,000 582-5500 csumb.edu/olli Big Idea: The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is teaching us all a recipe with its Big Idea this year. While OLLI offers a wide range of educational programs to facilitate learning for older adults, one new program for 2025 will focus on music. Performances for Cityscapes: A Musical Journey, are planned at the Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center, Hidden Valley Seminars and the Carl Cherry Center, as well as local breweries and coffeehouses, helping expand OLLI’s reach beyond its already-large community of 900-plus members. “Among my many passions is the study of brain health, and I can’t think of anything more important for the brain than continuing one’s intellectual journey and maintaining those important connections within. Whether it be through literature, music, art, science or one of many other available areas of interest, OLLI continues to be the perfect recipe for a healthy brain, with incredible courses, top-notch instructors, and a friendly and engaged community. Life simply wouldn’t be the same without OLLI.” -Chris Hasegawa spotlight
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