“Our children thrive in Bay View’s well-rounded approach to education. They’ve grown immensely through the school’s exceptional art programs, rigorous academic curriculum and emphasis on real-world experiences. From interning with the Seaside City Council to participating in meaningful community volunteer opportunities, Bay View students are encouraged to engage with the world around them in thoughtful, impactful ways. Bay View Academy is an asset to Monterey County and to our children.” -Micah Howell, parent BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF MONTEREY BAY Year Founded: 1982 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 4 paid, 225 volunteers Budget: $350,000 (831) 464-8691 bbbsmontereybay.org BIG IDEA: Following a tri-county merger in 2024, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monterey Bay (BBBS) has expanded its service area to bring its one-onone mentoring program to Monterey County. This Big Idea matches youth ages 6-18 with trained adult mentors who help youth face mental health challenges. By building a compassionate, consistent bond, BBBS mentors support youth experiencing social isolation and help them navigate life’s hurdles. This nonprofit is facing rising demand for adult mentors. “I’m constantly in awe of how much I personally get out of being a mentor and being matched to such a wonderful young woman. You find time for what brings you joy, and [my Little] Brenda certainly does that for me. I hope I do the same for her as well.” -Ame Yeager BIG SUR PARK SCHOOL Year Founded: 2018 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 7 paid, 5 volunteers Budget: $265,822 (925) 818-1806 bigsurparkschool.org BIG IDEA: Donors can support a progressive, naturebased educational alternative with a donation to Big Sur Park School. Youth ages 9 months to 6 years can experience this unique, student-centered curriculum. Program highlights are an outdoor classroom that builds a strong relationship with nature inside each student. This Big Idea may seem like simply an alternative school, but for children under 3 along the Big Sur coast, Big Sur Park School provides the only preschool educational offering. “Big Sur Park School has gifted our son with the confidence to explore and nurture his curiosities with the greater world around him. I couldn’t have dreamed of a more idyllic start to his early education.” -Olivia Gerhardt 82 Monterey County GIVES! 2025 mcgives.com EDUCATION & YOUTH DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM BRIGHT FUTURES OF MONTEREY COUNTY Year Founded: 2015 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 4 paid, 24 volunteers Budget: $640,935 (831) 755-6810 brightfuturesmc.org BIG IDEA: There’s a big pot of money available for Monterey County kids to help them start saving for higher education. More than 79,000 children in Monterey County are eligible for $39 million in state-funded college savings accounts—but only 7 percent of eligible students are enrolled. This Big Idea represents a big megaphone for this CalKIDS program, with Bright Futures of Monterey County taking a leadership role in boosting that enrollment rate. Donations help support this CalKIDS advocacy work, accelerating economic mobility for local kids. “As one of three siblings attending college during the 2025–26 academic year, I understood that my family’s financial situation would be tight. CalKIDS helped address my financial concerns, not only for me, but also for my sisters, who were each able to claim over $500 through CalKIDS. I will be using my claimed savings to purchase books and other school supplies at UCLA, and one of my sisters will use hers to help cover living expenses at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. My family and I are deeply grateful to CalKIDS.” -Dulce Madrigal, 19 SPOTLIGHT “Our kids try fruits and vegetables that they may never have tried before, and then we see them going to the salad bar and enjoying fruit at lunchtime.” -Kristen Pantaleon, Brighter Bites
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