Join the Club Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County helps 6,000 young people thrive. By Caitlin Fillmore I t starts with meeting basic needs, including serving as a “safe space” for thousands of young people. Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County (BGCMC) serves more than 6,000 children and young adults at its two clubhouses in Salinas and Seaside. Last year, they provided 80,000 meals to make those safe spaces nourishing. They offer homework help, career counseling and more to people ages 6 to 24. “Kids get to be kids here, while gaining the support they need to thrive,” BGCMC Chief Advancement Officer Natasha Pedroza says. Young people face pressure both in and outside of typical school settings, Pedroza says. BGCMC’s mission includes providing academic support and a safe haven in the midst of a chaotic world, but also helping meet additional needs, including the caring attention of a trustworthy adult. “[Youth] need mentors who listen, meals they can count on and initiatives that build confidence, skills and hope,” Pedroza says. “The Clubs provide consistent support that meets kids where they are and helps them grow into who they’re meant to be.” Outside of the clubhouses, BGCMC reaches across the county with wellness programs like Girls Health in Girls Hands and Triple Play. These programs operate in 15 after-school sites, including in Gonzales, Greenfield and Soledad. The target audience is primarily children ages 6 to 18, but some services focus on young adults ages 19 to 24, helping with continuity of support before participants are independent. “We deliver these services because youth in underserved communities deserve every opportunity their peers receive,” Pedroza says. “[The kids] are the ones who succeed. We are just making sure they have a hand up on their journey.” The nonprofit operates by the mantra that “Every dream needs a plan.” They rely on kids to come in with big dreams, and then help give them the skills and tools—whether it’s an afterschool meal, a conversation with an adult who will listen or academic support—to make those dreams real. “Without the Boys & Girls Clubs, too many kids would go home to empty houses, empty fridges and empty afternoons,” Pedroza says. “[If BGCMC didn’t exist], our schools, families and neighborhoods would feel the weight. We don’t just support kids—we strengthen the systems around them.” Academic enrichment is just one offering at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County. The nonprofit is a support system designed to help young people thrive in school, home and life. DANIEL DREIFUSS Your donation will help build a Family Justice Center in Salinas, a one stop haven where survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking can access safety, healing, and hope under one roof. Together, we can break the cycle of generational violence and build safer, stronger families in our community. Help Us Protect Those Most at Risk MontereyCountyGives.com/holding EVERY DONATION MATTERS! DONATE BY DEC. 31 Your tax-deductible donation helps provide medical care, legal help, counseling, safe housing assistance, victim advocacy, public assistance, and more for survivors. www.HoldingOnToHelpFJC.org DONATE NOW: Your donation will help build a Family Justice Center in Salinas, a one stop haven where survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking can access safety, healing, and hope under one roof. Together, we can break the cycle of generational violence and build safer, stronger families in our community. Help Us Protect Those Most at Risk MontereyCountyGives.com/holding EVERY DONATION MATTERS! DONATE BY DEC. 31 Your tax-deductible donation helps provide medical care, legal help, counseling, safe housing assistance, victim advocacy, public assistance, and more for survivors. www.HoldingOnToHelpFJC.org Your donation will help build a Family Justice Center in Salinas, a one stop haven where survivors of domestic Help Us Protect Those Most at Risk www.HoldingOnToHelpFJC.org HoldingOnToHopeFJC.org 1-4s 4.6” x 4.94” Investing? Housing Costs? Car Loans? Credit Cards? Career Planning? Budgeting? Teens have questions. Finance Park has answers. Insurance? Taxes? Student Loans? Classroom Curriculum: In-school. Teacher-led. Comprehensive personal finance and career readiness curriculum. Finance Park “Pop-Up” Simulation: One-day immersive experience. Takes place after classroom lessons. Program Components Students and volunteers engaged in the Finance Park Pop-Up simulation. Scan or click to see the park in action. Returning MARCH 2026 Monterey County Fairgrounds 125 STUDENTS PER DAY March 10, 11, 12 and 17, 18, 19 20+ VOLUNTEERS PER DAY Sign up today! Contact the JA NorCal Finance Park team to get involved! Taran Barca-Hall: taranbh@janorcal.org Duane Wilson: dwilson@janorcal.org Sign Up Today! JA Finance Park will “pop-up” at the Monterey County Fairgrounds for two weeks in March 2026. Each day, 125 high school students from low- to moderate-income high schools in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties will attend the park to complete their simulation experience. March 10, 11, 12 and March 17, 18, 19 8:00am-1:30pm VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Be a Finance Park Mentor Work with small groups (5-7) of high school students. Help them access and understand their unique adult profile as they plan their monthly budget. Coach them through real-world budgeting decisions. Share your knowledge and experience to help students understand complex topics like loans, credit scores, insurance, retirement planning and more. 20+ mentors needed per day. Pick the day that works best for you or join us for multiple sessions during our Monterey Pop-Up! “...Students got a taste of the next ten years, and on some level it scared them a little and forced them to really think about the choices they are making now and how those choices will affect them in the future. It was really enlightening.” -Eric Maul, Finance Park Volunteer, The Foundation for Fresno Unified Students Click or scan to sign-up : Contact the JA NorCal Finance Park team to get involved! Taran Barca-Hall: taranbh@janorcal.org Gregory Samuel: gsamuel@janorcal.org Sign Up Today! JA Finance Park will “pop-up” at the Monterey County Fairgrounds for two weeks in March 2026. Each day, 125 high school students from low- to moderate-income high schools in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties will attend the park to complete their simulation experience. March 10, 11, 12, 13 and March 17, 18, 19 8:00am-1:30pm VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Be a Finance Park Mentor Work with small groups (5-7) of high school students. Help them access and understand their unique adult profile as they plan their monthly budget. Coach them through real-world budgeting decisions. Share your knowledge and experience to help students understand complex topics like loans, credit scores, insurance, retirement planning and more. 20+ mentors needed per day. Pick the day that works best for you or join us for multiple sessions during our Monterey Pop-Up! “...Students got a taste of the next ten years, and on some level it scared them a little and forced them to really think about the choices they are making now and how those choices will affect them in the future. It was really enlightening.” Eric M., Finance Park Volunteer Click or scan to sign-up : Contact the JA NorCal Finance Park team to get involved! Taran Barca-Hall: taranbh@janorcal.org Gregory Samuel: gsamuel@janorcal.org JA Finance Park will “pop-up” at the Monterey County Fairgrounds for two weeks in March 2026. Each day, moderate-income high schools in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties will attend the park to complete their simulation experience. March 10, 11, 12, 13 Work with small groups (5-7) of high school students. Help them access and understand their unique adult profile as they plan their monthly budget. Coach them through real-world budgeting decisions. Share your knowledge and experience to help students understand complex topics like loans, credit scores, insurance, Pick the day that works best for you or join us for multiple sessions during our the next ten years, and on some level it scared them a little and forced them to really think about the choices they are making now and how those choices will affect them in the future. It was really enlightening.” Eric M., Finance Park Volunteer Click or scan to sign-up : mcgives.com Monterey County GIVES! 2025 100
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