Our Vision Education changes lives. We are committed to funding quality educational programs and awarding scholarships and fnancial aid to beneft Monterey County students from prekindergarten to postgraduate levels. These funds provide access to opportunities and experiences that deepen, broaden and expand their world. Our Mission To provide quality educational opportunities for Monterey County youth. 2 Our Purpose Call toAction In the spring of 2020, the Foundation surveyed over 50 educators across the county to hear frsthand what they believed were the main challenges facing youth today. The overwhelming response was mental health. We listened, learned, and saw an opportunity to make a difference for the youth of Monterey County. The Foundation responded with its largest grant in history. Together with Montage Health Foundation, Ohana and the Monterey Peninsula Unifed School District (MPUSD), we launched a new three-year initiative to bring youth mental wellness programming and social-emotional learning opportunities to middle school children in Marina, Seaside and Monterey. We will initially help combat the growing youth mental health crisis by serving as a prevention and early-intervention resource. With the Foundation's grant, Ohana, a program of Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula specializing in mental and behavioral healthcare needs for youth and their families, is providing a child therapist to work with groups of students on all three MPUSD middle school campuses. With our funding, the therapist is already providing skills training in resilience and mindfulness, and most importantly, adding another level of support for the students. The need is great in Monterey County Despite the fact that Monterey County is iconic — with stunning natural beauty, world-class golf courses and gated communities — we cannot overlook the many troubling issues facing our youth. Students are homeless Under age 17 live below poverty line Don't have access to quality, affordable Early Care & Education Are not kindergarten-ready Third graders are not reading at grade level Suffer from mental disorders Increase in youth patients seeking mental health support at Montage Health from 2019 to 2021 Average wait time to get professional help for a youth mental health emergency 10% 65% 25% 23% 73% 1,000% 75% 7 weeks AIM Youth Mental Health These values and ideas represent the defning qualities of the very best local youth programs. We are proud to partner with our community to tackle the challenges impacting our youth and to help them reach their potential. Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County 2021 Annual Report 3
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