66 Monterey County GIVES! 2025 mcgives.com COMMUNITY & SOCIAL SERVICES DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM HARMONY AT HOME Year Founded: 2004 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 71 paid, 14 volunteers Budget: $5,158,751 (831) 625-5160 harmony-at-home.org BIG IDEA: Harmony at Home is focused on helping youth and family address the sources of toxic stress that can hold them back for life. This comprehensive range of programs help new parents navigate the pressure of raising kids, counsel a teen referred because of trauma, emotional distress or behavioral concerns, and help children navigate high-conflict divorce. Harmony at Home’s Big Idea reaches more than 30,000 people at 50 local schools and organizations. “When I first joined the program, it was really hard—I didn’t know how to express my feelings, and it was nerve-wracking. But once I gave it a chance, I felt so relieved. I felt cared for—like someone finally understood me. I learned how to stay positive and how to communicate better, which will help me in the future. I want to be a nurse or a counselor someday, and now I feel ready to support others the way this program supported me.” -Catalina, 17 HOLDING ON TO HOPE Year Founded: 2024 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 11 volunteers Budget: $190,000 (831) 385-8330 holdingontohopefjc.org BIG IDEA: For survivors of crime trying to break a cycle of violence, wading through bureaucracy can be a challenge. Holding on to Hope’s goal is to streamline support, so that victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse or human trafficking can find resources they need in one supportive place. The District Attorney’s Office already created one family justice center in an existing building in King City. Now, this new nonprofit is raising funds for a Big Idea: to create a family justice center in Salinas. Donations will support essential tasks like site assessment, tree removal and demolition in order to transform the idea into a reality. “From the front desk to the one-on-one conversation with individuals who took the time to talk to me and made me feel welcome, heard and understood without judgment—it is a safe place, like my second home. Thank you all!” -Victoria S. HOSPICE GIVING FOUNDATION Year Founded: 1997 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 7 paid, 50 volunteers Budget: $1,442,397 (831) 333-9023 hospicegiving.org BIG IDEA: Hospice Giving Foundation believes those who help our loved ones experience a dignified end of life deserve additional support. Their Big Idea will boost this organization’s unrestricted grants to their trusted health-care partners throughout the county, including doctors, nurses, social workers, caregivers and grief specialists. In addition to these grants, Hospice Giving Foundation plans to expand program offerings to further improve hospice, palliative and grief support countywide. Programs include culturally inclusive, bilingual education, support groups and community events. “We support Hospice Giving Foundation because it’s an organization that touches our hearts deeply. We believe in celebrating life—whether through moments of joy or during more difficult times. We are proud to contribute our services to the community, knowing that our efforts help families find peace, strength and meaningful connection during their most challenging experiences.” -Elia and Leo Melgar I-HELP Year Founded: 2014 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 10 paid, 250 volunteers Budget: $350,000 (831) 251-8663 ihelpmontereybay.org BIG IDEA: Every night local faith communities and organizations open their doors to people who need a safe place to sleep, often the first step to permanent stability. This rotating group of partners call themselves the Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program (I-HELP). I-HELP is seeking donations to purchase a new bus to safely transport people to the rotating locations each night. The nonprofit calculates a total of $70,000 for this Big Idea—enough to purchase and operate the bus for one year. “A stroke changed my life, then my truck was stolen. Two years ago, I had a stroke, and I went to the hospital. It was a wakeup call to change my lifestyle. I am now two years clean and sober, and counting. I obtained a license to be a truck driver, then decided to start my own trucking company. I put all my savings into a big rig, but my truck was stolen while I stopped to take a shower. When I got home, my wife told me to leave, and I became homeless. That’s when I found I-HELP. Now I am working as a welder and saving money to buy a car. I am super grateful to have a place to stay at night. Otherwise, I would be on the street, and it is not a nice place.” -Jason McHugh SPOTLIGHT “The counselors actually talk and listen to you.” -Zachary, Valley Health Associates
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==