98 Monterey County GIVES! 2024 mcgives.com DONate online mcgives.com Education & Youth Wood Ranch with the gang-impacted youth we work with and have made countless referrals from partner agencies. As chair of the Juvenile Justice Commission, I hear firsthand from Probation Department staff about how valued their visits into Juvenile Hall are. There is something very special about the positive impact of horses on our youth and the trauma they carry.” -Jose Arreola World Affairs Council of the Monterey Bay Year Founded: 1951 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 30 volunteers Budget: $55,500 643-1855 wacmb.org Big Idea: Since launching in 2022, the World Affairs Council Monterey Bay’s Academic World Quest competition now includes six teams from five Monterey County high schools. These students battle to prove their awareness of international affairs, culminating in a championship weekend in Washington, DC alongside 250 fellow students from around the country. This Big Idea helps students raise the standard of public debate and gain a deeper understanding of our interconnected and rapidly changing world. “My favorite part was the thrill of finally completing the competition. This was rewarding because of all the time and effort that went into studying for it.” -Enrique A. York School Year Founded: 1959 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 34 paid, 130 volunteers Budget: $7,277,077 372-7338 york.org Big Idea: York School, a private coed high school for grades eight to 12, has supported a diverse community of independent learners for 65 years. This college preparatory school delivers a rigorous curriculum, encouraging creative and critical thinking. Students benefit from York’s unique enrichment through community service, leadership programs, cultural exchanges and a newly launched media literacy training. This Big Idea supports students as they broaden their understanding of the world through York’s interdisciplinary courses and handson learning experiences. “York’s challenging coursework and collaborative environment gave me confidence in my skill set that has transferred to every academic and professional setting I have been in since high school. I look back on the incredible teachers and the accepting and trusting community, and I now give back to York so students today can also have that unique experience.” -Clara Cushing, Class of 2012 Youth Arts Collective (YAC) Year Founded: 2000 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 11 paid, 10 volunteers Budget: $458,062 375-9922 yacstudios.org Big Idea: The Youth Arts Collective began during the dot com boom, but its programming has always been more Art 1.0. While painting, drawing and sculpture remain the core of the YAC experience, this Big Idea helps boost investments in creative technology. The nonprofit has already established a partnership with professional animator and YAC alum Oliver Fredericksen to add more workshops to teach creative skills. Donations help keep YAC relevant, even while sticking to the basic principles of arts education. “YAC was where I started my journey in all of my favorite mediums, where I started my longest-lasting friendships and where I started my career in animation. As an alum, I want to see YAC evolve and flourish. My early work in animation started on YAC’s old iMacs and drawing tablets. As this technology ages, YACsters have less opportunities to experiment in mediums like animation or digital illustration. Having up-to-date technology allows YACsters to fall in love with a medium that may change their life, like it did mine.” -Oliver Fredericksen Special Kids Connect Year Founded: 2007 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 11 paid, 50 volunteers Budget: $1,000,000 372-2730 specialkidsconnect.org Big Idea: Learning through play provides important opportunities to develop fine and gross motor skills, enhancing cognitive abilities, and socializing with peers and adults in nurturing, supportive environments. This is true of anyone, whether someone has special needs or not. This Big Idea fuels Special Kids Connect’s REACH Ability-Inclusive Enrichment Programs—sports and art programs where kids play alongside their neurotypical peers. Donations will help fund program expansions, including the first offering in North County this year. “REACH programs are the best programs my special needs children have ever been a part of! They have wonderful leadership and always provide friendly social environments with activities that are modified to meet each child’s abilities.” -Pamela Bradley spotlight “I like the nice horses and I am not scared anymore. I learned how to say hi to them.” -Student, 6, The Village Project
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==