74 Monterey County GIVES! 2025 mcgives.com COMMUNITY & SOCIAL SERVICES DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM MONTEREY COUNTY RAPE CRISIS CENTER Year Founded: 1973 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 23 paid, 35 volunteers Budget: $2,161,047 (831) 373-3955 mtryrapecrisis.org BIG IDEA: Monterey County Rape Crisis Center uses a public health approach to emphasize sexual violence prevention. This Big Idea provides age-appropriate prevention education for students, from kindergarten to college, reaching 4,598 elementary students in the 2024-25 school year. By teaching concepts like safe touch, the four types of child abuse, consent, trusted adults and boundary setting, this nonprofit helps youth establish a strong baseline for personal safety, resulting in safer campuses and communities for everyone. “I always felt heard by my therapist and looked forward to our sessions. She paid close attention to my body language and could pick up on my uneasiness, which helped us to focus on that. We were able to work on my coping skills. I know that if I ever needed to come back to therapy, Monterey County Rape Crisis Center is here to support me.” -Anonymous therapy client MONTEREY PENINSULA PRIDE Year Founded: 2017 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 75 volunteers Budget: $70,000 (831) 312-8675 peninsulapride.org BIG IDEA: Monterey Peninsula Pride is seeking donations to help throw its signature party each summer—now entertaining a crowd of more than 5,000 people every June. But this Big Idea reaches farther than a free, all-ages parade and celebration. Monterey Peninsula Pride works year-round hosting events and building partnerships with schools, faith groups and nonprofits to expand support for Monterey County’s LGBTQ+ community. This organization also supports a scholarship program honoring local queer youth. “This is one of my favorite experiences in Monterey. Seeing over 1,200 people in the parade this year—kicked off by our local roller derby team, followed by wave after wave of rainbow costumes, flags, families and floats—was emotional in the best way! It’s hard to put into words what it feels like to be visibly supported, especially now, when so much of the world feels hostile to our existence. To see local officials, community leaders and small businesses all showing up and leaning into the theme ‘Be Queer Here’ made me feel safe, proud and deeply seen. It reminds me exactly why having Pride here matters.” -Mandy Owen MUJERES EN ACCIÓN Year Founded: 2015 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 8 paid, 500 volunteers Budget: $824,305 (831) 783-1244 mujeresenaccion831.org BIG IDEA: When women lead, communities thrive, according to this Big Idea. Mujeres en Acción celebrates 10 years in 2025 and has big plans to empower immigrant and working-class women across Monterey County. Donations will support this multiyear strategy, including plans to train 50 new leaders in community organizing and develop a workforce development pathway to high-income careers. This grassroots organization gets involved in urgent issues like affordable housing, mental health services and worker protections, promoting economic justice for women and families. “At first, I didn’t have clear goals, but Mujeres en Acción helped open my mind. I took computer and business classes, and now I’m close to getting my license to start my own farming business. I’ve learned that opportunities do exist, we just don’t always know about them.” -Amalia Francisco, translated from Mixteco THE SALVATION ARMY, MONTEREY PENINSULA CORPS Year Founded: 1900 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 19 paid, 27 volunteers Budget: $3,300,000 (831) 899-4911 montereypeninsula.salvationarmy.org BIG IDEA: For 125 years, the Salvation Army, Monterey Peninsula Corps has helped adults and families experiencing poverty. This nonprofit offers a wide range of basics for people in need, from 120 hot meals served daily at the Good Samaritan Center in Sand City to laundry services, and shower access. This Big Idea even extends to no-cost youth summer camps and shelter. The Salvation Army owns 14 fully furnished townhome-like units and an additional four family-size studio apartments for emergency housing. “I wish everyone knew about this place. It’s so fun!” - Youth program client, 14 VETERANS TRANSITION CENTER OF CALIFORNIA Year Founded: 1996 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 37 paid, 10 volunteers Budget: $7,100,000 (831) 883-8387 vtcofcalifornia.org BIG IDEA: Veterans Transition Center (VTC) opened Lightfighter Village in January 2025. This permanent supportive housing project shelters 71 local veterans and their families, as VTC makes big strides for the approximately 1,800 homeless veterans in California. Donations help maintain the Big Idea—wraparound services like food, clothing, case management, benefits assistance and job training. These services help veterans, a group at higher risk of homelessness due to conditions like PTSD, brain injury and substance abuse, transition into successful civilian life. “The support I received at VTC was incredible. When I stumbled, there was always someone there to get me back on track, and that kind of care meant everything. The camaraderie was just as powerful. Being around people who had been through similar struggles made the hard days easier. VTC gives you the tools to succeed. If you want it, it’s here. Now I volunteer and share my story, because you can’t tell it without mentioning VTC. My past is part of me, but the future is mine. For me, there is no success story without VTC.” -Richard Hibbard SPOTLIGHT
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