We are here.
Esta publicación fue escrita originalmente en español. Lea la versión en español aquí.
These last few months have been full of different emotions. Changes have been inevitable in our community. For many of us in Monterey County, March was the month this quarantine began. From one day to the next, stores, restaurants, schools and workplaces went through great changes. These places closed their doors to start a "virtual" world.
The changes and transitions have not been easy; ...
Volunteer Spotlight: Yoka van Woerden
September 3, 2020
“I was born in Cape Town, South Africa, then moved to Vancouver before moving on to Milan and Paris, then returning to Cape Town, only to set off again to Italy and end up years later in Monterey, California.
I am a fashion designer by trade, but over the...
What we miss most
August 28, 2020
by Erin Ortiz, Community Engagement Specialist
The other day, I unlocked our Monterey office and walked into the darkness, by myself, to do some work alone. I have two kids and a small living space, so it’s nice to...
Volunteer Spotlight: Josef London
July 20, 2020
Josef volunteering at our Together with Love Run. Photo credit: Kim Birdsong
"I consider it an honor and a privilege to be part of a very special agency where I have met great people for the past 24 glorious years of service."
We are pleased to introduce you to Josef London, who has been a volunteer Advocate with MCRCC since 1996. We...
Volunteer Spotlight: Sheryl Embler
July 7, 2020
Photo: Here is Sheryl at Angkor Wat in Cambodia, January 2018
“Education, compassion, empathy and understanding. These ideals put into action inspire me daily.”
...
Joining a new team, from a distance
June 18, 2020
What is it like to start a new job virtually, when that job normally involves lots of face to face interaction? Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have welcomed two new staff members to the MCRCC family. Their onboarding process looked quite different from how it normally would, since we haven’t been sharing office space for months. Here are Leslie and Cristina’s thoughts on the experience so far:
Leslie Donato, Crisis Intervention Specialist (hired in March)
MCRCC: What has been a highlight of beginning this new job...
Youth to the Front!
"I could feel the rage and heaviness building in the room and knew this was a lot for them to recognize that many of them experience more oppressions than privileges."
June 15, 2020
by Devan Haddad, Prevention Educator
I’m an educator working mainly with high school-aged youth. I’d like to share a story about how fellow educators can begin talking about privilege and oppression openly with students.
Here’s how I started that conversation:
In the My Life Club we cover a variety of topics - including...
United to Serve Survivors of Human Trafficking
June 8, 2020
by Deborah Pembrook, Human Trafficking Outreach Manager
Survivors of human trafficking deserve safety, support and the opportunity to thrive in our community. Those who advocate for survivors of human trafficking in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties are committed to work together to make our community a place where survivors can feel rooted, accepted and valued.
On May 29, all four direct service providers who serve survivors of human trafficking in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties shared with other Bay Area anti-trafficking activists about our...
Racial Justice and Our Commitment
June 5, 2020
At MCRCC, we know that racial justice is foundational in realizing a community free of all types of violence. MCRCC denounces white supremacy and police brutality.
The murder of Black people by law enforcement in the United States is not something that began in 2020, but a tragic and...
Black Lives Matter
June 2, 2020
This week, we made the following statement across our social media platforms:
As the fight against oppression and racism continues, know that MCRCC stands with you! For us to end sexual violence, all forms of oppression must be eliminated. The senseless acts of violence against POC such as: George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Nina Pop, Tony McDade, Sean Reed and unfortunately, so many others is heartbreaking and is 100% unacceptable. ...