70 Monterey County GIVES! 2025 mcgives.com COMMUNITY & SOCIAL SERVICES DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM HOUSING FOR SCHOOL KIDS Year Founded: 2022 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 27 paid, 65 volunteers Budget: $5,566,706 (831) 375-9712 cfmco.org BIG IDEA: For the last three years, the number of homeless students in Monterey County public schools has increased to reach nearly 18 percent, or 12,959 students. Housing for School Kids is an all-volunteer, grassroots effort to alleviate housing pressure on families with school-age children. Donations (made through the Community Foundation for Monterey County) help with security deposits, relocation costs and one-time emergency assistance for families threatened with eviction. There is currently a waiting list for help from this Big Idea. “I am at a loss for words. This rental assistance came when I found myself not sleeping at night and preparing for the worst. I was behind on rent and facing the real fear of becoming homeless. This assistance didn’t just help me keep a roof over my head—it gave me and my children peace of mind. It allowed me to focus on rebuilding stability in my life without the constant stress of losing my home. Thank you for being such caring individuals in this time of uncertainty. I will forever be grateful for the support you have provided my family.” -J.S. INTERIM, INC. Year Founded: 1975 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 267 paid, 100 volunteers Budget: $37,132,748 (831) 649-4522 interiminc.org BIG IDEA: Donors can contribute to the construction of a new, 24-unit permanent supportive housing development from Interim, Inc. Scheduled to break ground in spring 2026, the Marina Kai Apartments in Marina will support individuals living with mental illness and who are at risk for homelessness. The goal of this Big Idea is to alleviate the critical shortage of supportive, stable housing for people with severe mental health conditions, including the more than 500 people on Interim’s waiting list. “I kept finding myself back in the same cycle: rehab, the streets and eventually prison again. I didn’t know how to change, and I didn’t realize how much mental health played a role in my struggles. [Interim] taught me how to recognize my triggers, take my medications properly and use coping skills to prevent relapse. For the first time, I feel like I’m living, not just existing. When I was in the hospital, everyone noticed I was missing. They asked if I was OK when I returned, and that really made me feel like I mattered. Interim didn’t just help me survive—they taught me how to live. The community here has given me hope, and I’m grateful every day.” -Michael Y. JUNIOR LEAGUE OF MONTEREY COUNTY Year Founded: 1963 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 200 volunteers Budget: $62,300 (831) 402-4705 jlmontereycounty.org BIG IDEA: The Junior League of Monterey County is ready to turn a fresh page for its organization. While this long-standing women’s leadership organization never stopped investing in the community, this Big Idea gives them a chance to invest in themselves. Donations will support leadership development for this organization’s volunteer members and investments in a new website, member-recruitment tools, a fresh marketing strategy and other efforts to build a strong future for the Junior League. “Through executive leadership training, civic action and mentorship, I’ve grown into a confident leader making meaningful change for underserved communities. The Junior League of Monterey County has given me the skills, support and purpose to create lasting impact.” -Lanie Cooper, Junior League executive vice president LEGAL SERVICES FOR SENIORS Year Founded: 1985 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 10 paid, 10 volunteers Budget: $1,101,311 (831) 899-0492 lssmc.org BIG IDEA: Eviction, health care denials, financial abuse, scams, will preparation. More than 2,000 clients reach out to Legal Services for Seniors for help ITNMONTEREYCOUNTY Year Founded: 2012 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 14 paid, 56 volunteers Budget: $741,500 (831) 233-3447 itnmontereycounty.org BIG IDEA: Last year, ITNMontereyCounty (the Independent Transportation Network) completed its 100,000th ride. This Big Idea—to help people who cannot drive themselves remain independent—reached its six-figure milestone through volunteers who drive seniors and visually impaired people to appointments or to run errands. ITNMontereyCounty recently expanded services to include veterans and essential travel for rural clients. Demand is growing for ITN, as the organization juggles an average 867 rides per month, plus over 60 monthly rides on new rural routes that launched in 2022. Each year, more than 475 unique riders benefit from ITN. “ITN drivers are focused on the well-being of the rider in a way no taxi or Uber driver could be. ITN drivers are friendly and committed to the schedule of the rider. It always feels like they’re a friend or relative coming to give you a ride. Thanks, ITN!” -Lucy Moore and Neil Williams SPOTLIGHT “Without you, I have nothing.” -Confidential, YWCA Monterey County
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