SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICE Year Founded: 1957 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 77 paid, 223 volunteers Budget: $6,439,161 (831) 459-9373 fsa-cc.org BIG IDEA: Suicide Prevention Service reaches across Monterey County to provide lifesaving education and support to individuals and families. This organization reaches individuals and families through prevention outreach, from community presentations to help finding resources and healing support for people who have lost someone to suicide. Suicide Prevention Service’s Big Idea helps people recognize the warning signs of suicide and gives schools, workplaces and community organizations a consistent, trusted source of information and support. “I used to struggle with suicidal thoughts, and I never knew about this call center. I’m glad I know [about 988] now so I can help others.” -Salinas High School student, 17 VALLEY HEALTH ASSOCIATES Year Founded: 1991 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 20 paid, 6 volunteers Budget: $2,631,110 (831) 424-6655 valleyhealthassociates.com BIG IDEA: Valley Health Associates envisions a network of outreach, prevention and treatment resources for the more than 7,500 Monterey County residents living with an opioid use disorder. The nonprofit brings this Big Idea to life via initiatives like its mobile wellness units. These units, launched last June, travel into overdose hotspots and underserved communities across the county. As state-licensed clinics on wheels, Valley Health Associates can provide on-the-spot treatment from counselors, nurses, peer specialists and medical doctors in the places people need help. “At Valley Health Associates, we believe everyone deserves a second chance to build a life they’re proud of. Take Jason, a Salinas resident in his early 40s. When he came to us, he needed stability. Today, he’s working steadily as a cook, has secured stable housing and got his driver’s license back. But the moment that stays with me is this: After 20 years apart, Jason has reconciled with his parents. That’s what this work is really about— restored relationships and second chances.” -La Tonya Glover, executive director VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION (VNA) Year Founded: 1951 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 203 paid, 27 volunteers Budget: $31,763,725 (831) 372-6668 ccvna.com BIG IDEA: Bereavement, or the period of grief after losing a loved one, is a natural part of the hospice journey. However, this inevitable process is not something covered by insurance. Central Coast VNA & Hospice understands the need to support families after the hospice patient has died. You can help expand VNA’s Big Idea bereavement services like grief counseling, support groups, children’s programs, remembrance events and community education. “I am glad VNA was able to provide free in-home counseling after I lost my husband. It has been a long and painful journey, but counseling has made a difference. Thank you for the ongoing support— my connection with VNA helped me rebuild my life, and your generosity for VNA through MCGives! ensures that no one in Monterey has to walk through grief alone.” -Graciela Witt 136 Monterey County GIVES! 2026 mcgives.com HEALTH, WELLNESS & FOOD DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM “It felt like a peaceful hacienda—not a hospital.” - Ms. Flores, former Eden Valley Care Center resident, Soledad Community Health Care District Foundation MONTEREY BAY MASTER GARDENERS Year Founded: 1995 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 160 volunteers Budget: $70,850 (831) 392-5377 ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-monterey-san-benito-santa-cruz-counties BIG IDEA: Gardeners (and gardens) come in all shapes and sizes. Monterey Bay Master Gardeners seeks support to fertilize and grow its Portable Edible Gardens/Jardines Comestibles Portátiles program. Families learn to grow vegetables, herbs and edible flowers in convenient, portable grow bags that thrive on patios, balconies and other small spaces. These hands-on, bilingual workshops, held at libraries in Greenfield and Salinas, promote nutritious eating and teach the lifelong skill of gardening. “As a new Master Gardener from the Class of 2026, I jumped at the opportunity to volunteer for the Portable Edible Garden project at Greenfield library. While the parents were in the workshop, the kids colored, painted rocks and sowed seeds in small biodegradable pots. Some sowed food (beans, lettuce) while others wanted flowers (sunflowers, zinnias). A 6-year-old girl told me she was sowing her first seed ever. Her name was Daisy and she sowed two tiny daisy seeds.” -Susana Vivar-Evans SPOTLIGHT
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