78 Monterey County GIVES! 2025 mcgives.com COMMUNITY & SOCIAL SERVICES DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM cate the community about suicide loss and prevention. First is the Survivor Outreach Team, a group of trained volunteers also touched by suicide, who comfort those grieving a loss. The organization also facilitates bilingual grief support groups and educates diverse audiences about suicide prevention, including youth presentations, parent workshops, and training sessions for schools, service providers and community leaders. Plans for this Big Idea include refining its ability to respond to crises and developing greater access to culturally responsive resources. “My experience with Suicide Prevention Service has completely reshaped how I see people and the world. Through their training and work, I learned that being present, listening without judgment and empowering others to find their own strength is far more powerful than giving advice. It taught me how to truly connect with youth, families and individuals in crisis, and to hold space for their most vulnerable moments.” -Anonymous SUN STREET CENTERS Year Founded: 1968 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 190 paid, 870 volunteers Budget: $16,883,842 (831) 753-5144 sunstreetcenters.org BIG IDEA: Sun Street Centers’ Safe Teens Empowerment Project (STEPS) delivers substance abuse prevention to thousands of Monterey County residents each year. This organization builds upon a standard school-based education program to empower teens to lead their own public speaking projects (and get paid!). STEPS’ Overdose Awareness Symposium features these student presenters across 160 youth and 50 parent seminars, addressing topics like gateway drugs and drugged driving. Through this Big Idea, students build confidence and leadership skills while educating the community about alcohol and drug abuse. “I’ve been in STEPS for three years, and a way that it has impacted my life in a positive way is that I’ve gotten out of my comfort zone by being able to present in front of a big audience and make new connections in my community.” -Jocelyn Cardenas, STEPS Student Youth Leader, 17 VALLEY HEALTH ASSOCIATES Year Founded: 1991 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 17 paid, 6 volunteers Budget: $2,000,000 (831) 424-6655 valleyhealthassociates.com BIG IDEA: Medical care is on the move with Valley Health Associates’ Big Idea. This nonprofit is expanding its Mobile Wellness Unit, ensuring medical care does not depend on your zip code or even if you have a roof over your head. This mobile health-care approach is especially focused on drug overdoses, the primary cause of death for adults ages 25-54 in California. Valley Health Associates plans to launch more access points for the mobile wellness unit and multiple satellite wellness sites. “Going to Valley Health was the best move I could have made. The counselors actually talk and listen to you, and I have no urge to use drugs. I’m building a future I’m proud of—and I’m grateful to Valley Health for helping me get here.” -Zachary THE VILLAGE PROJECT, INC. Year Founded: 2008 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 38 paid, 50 volunteers Budget: $2,500,000 (831) 392-1500 villageprojectinc.org BIG IDEA: Youth and family groups in need can experience the healing power of horses through Freedom Reins, The Village Project, Inc.’s Big Idea. Freedom Reins nurtures trusting bonds with horses and adult mentors, teaching life skills development, emotional regulation and leadership through equine-assisted therapy. And this Big Idea is getting bigger: Freedom Reins recently expanded to reach South County farmworker families and people involved in the justice system in an effort to improve urgent mental health outcomes countywide. “Freedom Reins taught me to be brave again. When I’m with the horses, I feel safe and strong, like I can face anything life throws at me.” -Student, 13, Pacific Grove YOUNG ADULTS WITH EPILEPSY CENTRAL COAST Year Founded: 2023 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 10 paid, 6 volunteers Budget: $126,198 (831) 444-5889 youngadultswithepilepsy.org BIG IDEA: Epilepsy affects more than 4,000 people in Monterey County, with up to 80 percent of those people experiencing stigma. This peer-led organization confronts misunderstandings about epilepsy with group members’ lived experience, cultural competence and creativity. This approach is particularly important in Spanish-speaking families, where lack of epilepsy education persists. Young Adults with Epilepsy Central Coast (YAWE) has a Big Idea to expand its advocacy and peer support to the Salinas Valley, with the goal of becoming a model of seizure safety, awareness and inclusion. “I’d never met anyone else with epilepsy before YAWE. Now I’m part of a community that makes me feel seen and supported.” -Austin Cole YWCA MONTEREY COUNTY Year Founded: 1971 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 15 paid, 3 volunteers Budget: $2,213,503 (831) 422-8602 ywcamc.org BIG IDEA: YWCA Monterey County provides direct services to people building a new life after experiencing the trauma of domestic violence, human trafficking and other violent crime. This organization operates an emergency shelter and 24-hour crisis line and offers related assistance like therapy, financial literacy classes, aid with security deposits and case management. YWCA’s Big Idea covers the practical needs of domestic violence victims fleeing crises while also inspiring long-term hope and independence. “YWCA, thank you so much for helping me. Without you, I have nothing.” -Confidential “I feel safe and strong, like I can face anything life throws at me.” -Student, 13, The Village Project
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