Monument Crisis Center

Youth enrichment: our year-round youth enrichment programming supports students from ages 6-18 and is key to the empowerment pillar of monument crisis center. Our 2024 summer camp offered enrichment activities including stem lessons, cooking, gardening, dance, exercise, sports, arts and music programming over a five-week period. Monument crisis center campers also went on field trips to the monterey bay aquarium, black diamond mines, heather farms park and other local attractions. The program provided the children with a safe environment to play and learn, all at no cost to their families. (continuation on sch o)...youth enrichment program continuedas the 2023-2024 school year began, monument crisis center provided more than 1,500 backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies to low-income students throughout contra costa county. We provided the after school caf tutoring program for first through fifth grade students. Participants were greeted with a healthy snack and received tutoring for reading, writing and math skills from local high school students. Our teen center also provided after-school programming for at-risk middle school youth. Saint mary's college of california students and our staff provided tutoring and guest speakers in the areas of math, english, science, nutrition, and leadership. Retired teachers served as mentors for both programs. We also provided a personalized college and career counseling program for at-risk 9-12 graders online for easy access. Our one-on-one mentorship and guidance helped students leave high school with a well-defined plan and the ability to prioritize their interests and goals.

Resource & referral: monument crisis center is a comprehensive resource center for the community, offering a one-stop location for resources and referrals. With a true heartfelt approach, the center is a refuge, a bustling community and education center, and an inspiration to thousands of clients from all parts of central and east contra costa county. We connect our clients with community partners and public benefit programs including, but not limited to, calfresh, pg&e care (california alternate rates for energy), housing, immigration rights, and legal aid. In support of our healthy living pillar, we use our central location for assistance with medi-cal and covered california applications; mobile health, dental and vision clinics and screenings; and an outreach hub for (continuation on sch o) ...resource & referral program continuedlazarex cancer foundation. We also provide empowerment resources onsite, including computer and language courses, workforce development for adults with developmental disabilities, vita tax preparation, parent support groups, and senior moments community education. We have a fully accessible facility we are ada compliant with braille signage and elevator.

Senior moments: for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, more than 80 low-income seniors received an inclusive combination of vital resources through the senior moments program. Clients participated in nutritious meals, educational presentations, legal aid consultations, bilingual bingo, wellness checks, blood pressure screenings, seated exercise, music and entertainment, all designed to combat loneliness through camaraderie and fun. Take home groceries provide essential nourishment the seniors could not otherwise afford. Monument crisis center provides food, education, assistance, and referrals to families and individuals in crisis situations, and promotes community awareness of needs and available resources to at-risk and low-income people in contra costa county. Hunger is a critical problem as well as a sign and symptom of underlying issues for low-income and at-risk families and individuals. We first address their immediate needs with groceries, diapers and essential toiletries to build trust and provide for the overall well-being of every client who walks through our doors. We offer a friendly, respectful, and supportive environment. We are staffed by dedicated, knowledgeable, culturally competent, and multi-lingual professionals and volunteers. Monument crisis center has built its service model on this foundation of trust which allows us to introduce our neighbors in need to a wraparound set of services that constitute our three pillars: stability, healthy living and empowerment. Stability is achieved through distribution of food and essentials and access to assistance and aid via our robust family resource center. Healthy living is supported by hosting health, dental and optometry screenings with regional health providers; teaching nutrition and cooking courses; and combatting loneliness for seniors through camaraderie, health education, and extra food distribution. Empowerment is provided via summer camp and after school tutoring, homework assistance and enrichment for 1st -8th grade students; mentoring and college preparation for high school students; computer, language and workforce development opportunities for adult clients; and hands-on volunteering and pro bono placements for community members. We are proud to be a candid gold star-rated nonprofit organization.