of critically ill children. Through this service, Junior League members learn skills like advocacy, governance and project management. “The Junior League gave me the opportunity to develop new skills in a supportive environment while making a real difference in Monterey County. More than an organization, the Junior League is a community that empowers women to grow, lead and create lasting change. I’ve gained friends, mentors and a network of women that I can always count on both personally and professionally.” -Samantha Weiss LEGAL SERVICES FOR SENIORS Year Founded: 1985 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 10 paid, 2 volunteers Budget: $1,000,000 (831) 899-0492 lssmc.org BIG IDEA: Planning ahead for major life events is classic advice. But Legal Services for Seniors understands life happens and people need a supportive boost to complete advanced planning, especially toward the end of life. Their Big Idea is called “Every Senior Needs a Plan” and provides free, accessible estate planning assistance to low-income older adults throughout Monterey County. While this nonprofit has always helped seniors prepare wills and powers of attorney, donations will help them expand services to include simple living trusts for senior homeowners. “After losing Carol, my beloved partner of 42 years, I was overwhelmed by grief and unable to face the legal paperwork connected to our home. When I received a letter from the County Assessor demanding that I update the ownership records, I froze. It wasn’t just my home—it was our home, built through a lifetime of love and shared dreams. Legal Services for Seniors gave me the compassionate, knowledgeable help I didn’t know existed. My legal advocate walked me through every step with patience, kindness and dignity. She made an unbearable task possible and helped me move forward without ever making me feel rushed, judged or alone. Legal Services for Seniors offers more than legal expertise—it provides a safe, human place for seniors to seek help during life’s most vulnerable moments.” -Josina M. LOAVES, FISHES AND COMPUTERS Year Founded: 2009 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 8 paid, 60 volunteers Budget: $689,300 (831) 393-9260 lfctech.org BIG IDEA: Loaves, Fishes and Computers has spent nearly 20 years addressing the technological needs of Monterey County, offering refurbished devices for sale and classes to help community members learn how to use them. LFC’s Big Idea continues to meet these urgent demands, with their AI Ready Initiative. This program will provide laptops and training for Monterey County youth ages 16–25 to build bilingual AI literacy. LFC believes this workforce readiness initiative is vital as AI reshapes agriculture, health care, hospitality and public service. “I didn’t think I had the skills or the chance to land a job at Joby Aviation, but LFC helped me identify my strengths. They helped me with my resume and interview prep and honestly, landing this job has changed my life. My confidence is so much stronger now, and I’m lucky to be working in a pioneering field like advanced air mobility.” -Connor DaCosta MID COAST FIRE BRIGADE Year Founded: 1978 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 0 paid, 25 volunteers Budget: $230,000 (831) 624-8287 midcoastfirebrigade.org BIG IDEA: Have you ever felt compelled to buy a fire truck? Well, do we have a Big Idea for you! Mid Coast Fire Brigade, serving the Palo Colorado Community and the Coast Highway from Carmel Highlands to Big Sur, seeks donations to buy a new Type 1 fire engine. Replacing their 22-year-old truck will cost $450,000 and most grants require an exist78 Monterey County GIVES! 2026 mcgives.com COMMUNITY & SOCIAL SERVICES DONATE ONLINE MCGIVES.COM “I never thought a phone call for help would lead to a whole new path for my family.” -Hector, Catholic Charities VENTURES Year Founded: 1989 Paid Staff and Volunteers: 15 paid, 10 volunteers Budget: $2,627,293 (831) 200-1719 sccvonline.org BIG IDEA: Rural working-class families have a friend in Ventures. This Big Idea works handin-hand with the community to create shared economic prosperity. Ventures supports a network of worker-owned cooperative businesses through its Futuro program. Initiatives like Futuro create opportunities for improved wages and better work hours, empowering rural workers to pave their own path to success. Donations to Ventures help activate and strengthen the economic and political power of rural working-class families on the Central Coast. “What I earn does not stop with me, it goes back to my community. I now understand that the work we do is not only economic activity, it is dignity.” -Promotora Futuro worker-owner SPOTLIGHT
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