AIM YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH Year Founded: 2014 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 5 paid, 95 volunteers Budget: $100,000 (831) 372-1600 aimymh.org BIG IDEA: It’s no surprise many of today’s youth struggle to maintain their mental health. But what can be a surprise is seeing those same youth advocate for systems-level mental health care improvements. AIM Youth Mental Health’s Youth Programs turn high schoolers into researchers and changemakers in their schools and communities. In Big Idea programs like the AIM Ideas Lab, students conduct countywide peer-to-peer mental health surveys, informing the work of AIM Youth Ambassadors— students who present policy recommendations to school leaders. “I’ve watched those I love struggle in silence, as I have too, due to the stigma and lack of understanding in our community. Because of this, taking part in the AIM Ideas Lab inspired me to take action. It showed me that young people are capable of making a difference, and that our voices do truly matter. The Ideas Lab helped me realize I want to pursue a career in public policy so that I can continue advocating for real, lasting change, especially surrounding mental health support in underserved communities like my own.” -Alexander Ortiz, 16 ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION Year Founded: 1980 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 5 paid, 125 volunteers Budget: $600,000 (831) 647-9890 alz.org/norcal BIG IDEA: The Alzheimer’s Association serves as our county’s one-stop resource for education, support groups, consultations and referrals for residents affected by Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Big Idea programs that benefit from donations include this organization’s 24/7 helpline and My ALZ Journey App—two services providing support, guidance and resources via a phone call or personalized app. New for this nonprofit is its Dementia Care Navigation Service, a dedicated care navigator to help families coordinate services. “The Alzheimer’s Association’s Caregiver Support Group is a safe place for all of us to share ideas, experiences and most of all, just listen. Our support group leader is a wise and generous person who keeps protocols, timing, kindness and appropriate sharing at the forefront of all meetings. I have been attending for about five years, and it has helped me cope and learn every time I go.” -Dee BIG SUR HEALTH CENTER Year Founded: 1979 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 10 paid, 35 volunteers Budget: $1,072,283 (831) 667-2580 bigsurhealthcenter.org BIG IDEA: Accessing medical care can be a challenge in a rural community like Big Sur, and Big Sur Health Center is dedicated to filling that gap. The nonprofit seeks donations to maintain its sliding scale fee structure—a Big Idea that makes healthcare access possible for the diverse community it serves. Recent cuts to Medi-Cal means even more people will come to rely on Big Sur Health Center, whose primary audience is people unable to qualify for government-subsidized programs. All of this nonprofit’s federal funding is potentially at risk, and it is bracing for a 65-percent loss of Medi-Cal payments alone. “We absolutely love the Big Sur Health Center. Each of our boys loves going to the doctor’s office in the redwoods. The staff has an incredible capacity for compassion. Their smiles as we walk in make us feel warm and welcome. And the sliding-scale policy makes our wallets feel great too! Thank you for providing such affordable healthcare.” -Anonymous CANCER PATIENTS ALLIANCE Year Founded: 2001 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 8 paid, 150 volunteers Budget: $1,384,290 (831) 658-0600 cancerpatientsalliance.org BIG IDEA: Cancer is the leading cause of death, but despite Monterey County’s majority-Latino population, local support for Latino cancer patients remains limited. Cancer Patients Alliance works to change this balance, advocating for and supporting individuals as they navigate this complex health care need. Cancer Patients Alliance makes connections to cancer treatment for low-income Latinos and farm126 Monterey County GIVES! 2025 mcgives.com HEALTH, WELLNESS & FOOD DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM AGRICULTURE AND LAND-BASED TRAINING ASSOCIATION (ALBA) Year Founded: 2001 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 11 paid, 12 volunteers Budget: $2,420,200 (831) 758-1469 albafarmers.org BIG IDEA: Over the last 25 years, 250 organic farms have gotten their start on ALBA’s 100 acres. Hundreds of local farmers have learned the ropes and launched their businesses out of the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association’s classroom—one they have long since outgrown. Donors to this Big Idea will help build the nation’s first “Campus for Campesinos,” a word for small-scale farmers. ALBA has already raised $1 million toward the $3 million Farmworker Opportunity Center. “I saw farming as just planting and harvesting. ALBA showed me how to be a businessman and made me a better farmer.” -Anonymous SPOTLIGHT “It has helped me cope and learn every time I go.” -Dee, Alzheimer’s Association
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==