Noticing years ago that boys in her hometown of Gonzales needed something to do, Jean Salcido, 66, headed out to a park with a football in hand asking if anyone wanted to play. A ag football team was born. She wrote a proposal to the Community Foundation for Monterey County to buy uniforms and equipment and was awarded a $5,000 grant to purchase uniforms and equipment. at’s just one of many examples of Salcido’s ability to see a need and create a solution. She has a knack for nding the resources and volunteers to join in. Her ability to connect people led to organizations like the Salvation Army calling on her to assist them in helping others, including o ering free summer camp to children and providing services to single mothers. After a lifetime of volunteer work, Salcido was asked in 2018 to care for an elderly woman in place of Salcido’s sister-in-law. “I really wanted to stay doing what I was doing with the youth. at was where my passion was,” she says. She nally agreed to step in as a caregiver, with instructions from the woman’s family to take her on rides to visit friends. Salcido still cares for the woman who recently turned 100. Driving around Gonzales about seven years ago, Salcido soon noticed there was nothing for seniors there to do. She had a friend who was taking care of another senior woman, so they teamed up to take the elderly pair to have lunch in Monterey. “We’re seniors serving seniors and having fun doing it,” Salcido remembers saying. e two friends applied for a grant and dubbed themselves Adventure Seeking Seniors. ey created monthly luncheons to get seniors out of their homes, each with a theme. e rst luncheon was for Valentine’s Day. “We had close to 50 seniors and they were all excited,” Salcido says. In addition to dining, they did arts and crafts. Volunteers provided transportation to those who needed it. During the pandemic they prepared a boxed lunch once a month and organized a drivethrough anksgiving event, with meals for every senior and single mom they knew. Last year, the group o cially achieved nonpro t status. Currently they serve up to 250 senior citizens at their monthly luncheons and other events with 18 volunteers who “all have the same passion to serve,” Salcido says. Among them are younger women who are being trained to take the place of seasoned volunteers. “One day we’re going to be the older ones,” she says. “ at’s the whole idea, to get the whole community involved.” The Connector When Jean Salcido sees a problem, she draws people together to create community solutions. By Pam Marino DANIEL DREIFUSS health, and referral services. • Apoya a los veteranos militares y sus familias con vivienda, salud y empleo a través de gestión de casos, salud conductual y servicios de referencia. M-F/L-V 8am-5pm www.nationsfinest.org 831-375-1184 Pajaro Men’s Center Centro de hombres Pájaro • Faith-based inpatient 13-month recovery program for drug and alcohol abuse. • Programa de recuperación de 13 meses para pacientes hospitalizados basado en la fe por abuso de drogas y alcohol. www.teenchallengemb.org 831-722-2074 Salinas Valley Intergroup Alcoholics Anonymous Intergrupo del Valle de Salinas Para Alcohólicos Anónimos • Support group meetings for individuals with a drinking problem. • Reuniones de grupo de apoyo para personas con problemas con la bebida. M-Th/L-J 9am-3pm Available/Disponible 24/7 www.aasalinas.org 831-757-8518 Spanish group/ Grupo en español 831-424-9874 Sun Street Center Centro de Sun Street • Residential and outpatient alcohol and drug treatment and recovery programs • Education and prevention services • DUI program and substance use counseling • Programas de tratamiento y recuperación de alcohol y drogas para pacientes ambulatorios y residenciales • Servicios de prevención y educativos Counseling and Mental Health Asesoramiento y Salud Mental 30 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY® LIVING WELL 2025-2026
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