A helping hand
Once a year we publish a list of support groups and other resources available to residents of the Monterey Peninsula and surrounding communities. Publication does not imply endorsement by Community Hospital. All services are free unless otherwise noted. Care has been taken to ensure accuracy, but information sometimes changes following publication. We are unable to list every group on the Monterey Peninsula, and we apologize for any errors or omissions that may occur.
In addition to this list, Community Hospital offers a wide variety of free and low-cost classes, lectures, and events throughout the year. For a complete listing, call 625-4708 or visit www.chomp.org.
INDEX
AIDS
John XXIII AIDS Ministry
John XXIII AIDS Ministry Housing, counseling, and emotional and spiritual support for people with HIV/AIDS.
655-1737
Web site: http://www.johnxxiii.org/
Monterey County AIDS Project (MCAP)
Comprehensive HIV/AIDS support, including support groups, CARE/HIPP (insurance premium coverage paid for by the state for people with HIV) and ADAP (AIDS Drugs Assist Program) evaluations, client services referral, education, prevention, food bank, and HIV testing.
394-4747
Web site: http://www.mcap.org
Outpatient Immunology Services (OPIS)
Support and medical treatment for people with HIV/AIDS. A service of Community Hospital.
625-4972
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ALCOHOL, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND OTHER ADDICTIONS
Al-Anon and Alateen
A 12-step group for people whose lives have been adversely affected by someone else’s drinking.
373-2532 or 424-6207 (from Salinas)
Web site: http://www.ncwsa.org/district-24.html
Alcoholics Anonymous
A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope so that they may help themselves and others recover from alcoholism.
373-3713 or 424-9874 (Salinas)
Web site: http://www.aamonterey.org/
Monterey County Health Department
Substance and alcohol abuse programs.
755-4510
Crisis line — 755-4111
Web site: http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/health/
Narcotics Anonymous
Salinas: 758-1630
Monterey: 624-2055
Web site: http://www.monterey-sbna.org/
Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
649-3848
Stop-Smoking Support Group
This support group gives participants the encouragement they need to stay smoke-free. Facilitated by Community Hospital's stop-smoking instructors.
625-4753
Substance Abuse Workshops
Sponsored by Community Hospital’s Recovery Center.
373-0924
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ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND OTHER DEMENTIAS
Alzheimer’s Association, Monterey County Chapter
Information and resources for family members of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
647-9890 or
757-0531 (Salinas) or
385-8813 (King City)
Web site: http://www.alznorcal.org/localoffices/monter/
Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Center
Fee: Sliding scale not to exceed $65 per month.
899-7178
Web site: http://www.ccvna.com/AdultDayCenters/
Alzheimer’s Family Support Group
For families with loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Sponsored by Community Hospital’s Behavioral Health Services.
625-4600
Carmel Foundation
Support groups for caregivers and those with family members in nursing care facilities. Membership required ($20 per year).
624-1588
Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center
Help for caregivers of people with brain damage as a result of brain injuries or head trauma and memory loss or dementia.
424-4359 or 888-499-4156
Web site: http://www.hpcn.org/delmar/
Visiting Nurse Association Community Services
Adult daycare services. Variable fees.
372-6668
Web site: http://www.ccvna.com/AdultDayCenters/
VNA Hilltop Park Adult Day Care Center
Persons with early memory loss and frail elderly participate in exercise, socialization, and activities. Fee: $40 per day.
643-0278
Web site: http://www.ccvna.com/AdultDayCenters/
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CANCER
Advanced Cancer Support Group
A weekly support group for those dealing with recurrent or advanced cancer. This group offers support and information for decision making and coping with cancer.
625-4753
American Cancer Society — Monterey Peninsula Unit
Information, research, and resources for people with cancer and their support persons.
372-4521
Web site: http://www.cancer.org/
Breast Cancer Early Support
Education and support for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Offered by Community Hospital’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.
625-4753
Breast Cancer Support Group
This group for women with breast cancer offers a time to share common concerns. Offered by Community Hospital’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.
625-4753
Cancer Hotline
An information service sponsored by the National Cancer Institute.
800-4-CANCER or 800-422-6237
Web site: http://www.cancer.gov/
The Cancer Journey
A 10-session series to help people with cancer develop their own individualized coping plans. Offered by Community Hospital’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.
625-4753
Cancer Wellness©
An ongoing therapeutic/educational weekly support group for people with cancer and their support persons. Offered by Community Hospital’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.
625-4753
© Sandra J. Kahn, M.A., M.F.T.
Caregivers’ Support Group
Support group for families and friends of a loved one with cancer.
625-4753
Leukemia-Lymphoma Support Group
A monthly education and support group for any person with a bloodrelated cancer and their family members.
625-4753
Prostate Cancer Self-Help Group of the Central Coast
Offers encouragement, support, and information on latest treatment options to men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Sponsored by Hospice of the Central Coast.
658-3772
Reach to Recovery
One-on-one support for women who face a breast cancer diagnosis. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
372-4521 or 442-2992 or
623-2501 or 800-227-2345
Cancer Center - 625-4753
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CHILDREN/PARENT GROUPS
Cabrillo Family Resource Center
Monterey Adult School (Parenting activities)
899-4879
Web site: http://www.mpusd.k12.ca.us/adultschool/
Childbirth Preparation
A variety of classes are offered on an ongoing basis: Early-Bird, Expectant Parents Preparation, Teen Parent Preparation, Cesarean Birth, Family Birth Center orientation and tour, Breastfeeding, and Sibling Preparation.
625-4704
Healthy Start
Parenting classes and parent/child activity classes.
899-1043
Kinship Center - Adoptive Parents / Birth Parents Support Group
455-9965 or 800-454-6733
La Leche League
Support for breastfeeding mothers. Fee: $30.
645-6767 or 800-525-3243
Web site: http://www.lllusa.org/web/MontereyPeninsulaCA.html
Pacific Grove Adult School
Parent’s Place
Parenting classes and parent/child activity classes.
646-6623
Web site: http://www.pgusd.org/parents/
Salinas Adult School Parent Center
Parenting classes and parent/child activity classes.
796-6970
Web site: http://www.salinasadultschool.com/
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DIABETES
American Diabetes Association
Diabetes research, information, and advocacy.
800-DIABETES or 800-342-2383
or 375-1384 (Monterey) or 757-4646 (Salinas)
Web site: http://www.diabetes.org
Diabetes Support Group
Offered by Community Hospital’s Diabetes Program.
649-7220
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
Web site: http://www.jdf.org
National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disease
Web site: http://www.niddk.nih.gov
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EDUCATION
Online Health Library
Our online health library is an extensive resource for information on illnesses, conditions, drugs, medical tests, and more. In order to meet differing needs, we provide three levels of service for accessing healthcare information through our Web site.
More information
Health Resource Library
(located in the Comprehensive Cancer Center) Community Hospital’s lending library, open to the community, offers books, videos, computer searches, and more.
622-2746
More information
Lymphedema Management
Learn about self-management, new research, and tools for living with lymphedema. Offered by Community Hospital.
625-4835
MEDLINEplus
Health information from the world's largest medical library, the National Library of Medicine. MEDLINEplus has extensive information from the National Institutes of Health and other trusted sources on over 600 diseases and conditions.
Web site: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
Monterey Public Library
Programs (such as, Born to Read), books, magazines, and DVDs for all ages.
646-3934
Web site: http://www.monterey.org/library
PubMed Search
With our librarian's assistance, you can search the National Library of Medicine's database of more than 3 million articles, and view article abstracts.
622-2746
Web site: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi
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GRIEF SUPPORT
Adult Grief Support Groups
Support groups for adults grieving the loss of a loved one. Offered by Hospice of the Central Coast.
658-3772 or 753-6045
Community Health and Hospice Resource Center
945 Main Street, Salinas Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
753-6045
Good Grief for Kids
A six-week educational and support program for children, teenagers, and families who have experienced the loss of someone close. Includes parent grief classes. Offered by Community Hospital’s Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Hospice of the Central Coast Griefbusters Program.
625-4753 or 658-3772
Griefbusters
Grief support and reference materials for children and adults. One-on-one and ongoing group support are available. Offered by Hospice of the Central Coast.
658-3772 or 753-6045
Grief Support Services for Survivors of Suicide and Sudden Death
Grief support group and individual counseling for people who have lost a loved one through a sudden death or suicide. Sponsored by the Suicide Prevention Service of the Central Coast.
24-hour crisis line 649-8008 or 877-663-5433
Administrative office: 375-6966
Hospice Resource Center
100 Barnet Segal Lane, Monterey Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
658-3772
More information
Resource Line for Grief and Loss
Referral service offered by Community Hospital.
622-2745 or 888-985-0550
S.H.A.R.E. (A Source of Help in Airing and Resolving Experiences)
Bi-monthly meetings for bereaved parents who have lost a baby in pregnancy or infancy. Registration required. Offered by Community Hospital.
622-2704
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HEART AND LUNG HEALTH
Cardiopulmonary Education Series
Support and education for people with heart or lung problems. A monthly series with new topics offered by Community Hospital. Family members welcome.
625-4765
SHARE (Stroke Handicapped Adult Rehabilitation and Education)
This program is a joint effort between the Monterey Peninsula School District and the Visiting Nurse Association, providing adults impaired by a stroke or other physical disability individualized rehabilitation and therapy, education, and peer support. Fee: sliding scale not to exceed $90/month.
899-7178
Web site: http://www.ccvna.com/AdultDayCenters/
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MENTAL HEALTH
24-Hour Crisis Line: Community Hospital Behavioral Health Services
Crisis intervention and emergency evaluations/referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
625-4623
Interim, Inc.
Programs providing a bridge between homelessness or institutionalization and independent living for adults with severe mental illness. Crisis intervention, residential treatment, 24-month homeless transitional housing, social support groups, education and employment services, and permanent, supported affordable housing. Most services are free or low-cost.
649-4522
Mental Health Counseling/Support Groups/Workshops
Offered by Community Hospital’s Behavioral Health Services. Call for information about therapy, treatment services, support groups, and workshops.
625-4600
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Monterey County
Self-help advocacy and support group for the family and friends of the mentally ill.
648-7059 (administration) or 800-950-NAMI or 800-950-6264
Web site: http://www.nami.org/
Our Voices
A self-help, drop-in support group for people who have been treated for mental illness.
649-4399
Suicide Prevention Service of the Central Coast
24-hour crisis line: 649-8008 or 877-663-5433
Administrative office: 375-6966
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PHYSICAL/SEXUAL ABUSE
Family Service Center
Dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse.
394-4622 (Seaside) or
757-7915 (Salinas)
Men’s Alternatives to Violence
Sponsors groups to discuss domestic violence and abuse. Fee: sliding scale.
443-6288 or 753-7660
Rape Crisis Center
24-hour crisis line: 375-HELP or
375-4357 or 633-5900
General information: 373-3955
Women’s Crisis Line
24-hour crisis line:
757-1001 (Salinas) or
888-757-1001 (from South County)
General information: 757-1002
YWCA 24-Hour Crisis Line for Domestic Violence
372-6300 or 800-992-2151
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OTHER SUPPORT GROUPS
Amputee Support Group
For the amputee, family members, and friends to discuss and learn new coping and living skills. Offered by Community Hospital.
625-4835
Arthritis Support Group
Discover new ways to manage medication, pain, and exercise. Co-sponsored by Community Hospital and the Arthritis Foundation.
625-4835
A.W.A.K.E. (Alert, Well, and Keeping Energized)
An educational, social, and mutual self-help group for people with sleep apnea. Offered by Community Hospital.
649-7210
Chronic Pain Support Group
Learn about self-management, new research, and techniques for living with chronic pain. Offered by Community Hospital.
625-4753
Compassionate Care Alliance
Provides access to information and resources on end-of-life care. Raises awareness and creates opportunities for dialogue about end-of-life issues, care choices, and planning.
655-9506
Epilepsy Support Group
For persons with epilepsy, their family, and friends to obtain support and get information about the challenges of living with epilepsy. Offered by Community Hospital.
625-4708
Fibromyalgia Support Group
Learn about self-management and ways to cope and live with fibromyalgia. Co-sponsored by Community Hospital and the Arthritis Foundation.
625-4835
Kids Count 2
An educational support group for children who have a family member with a serious illness. Offered by Community Hospital’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.
625-4753
Overeaters Anonymous
372-4673
Web site: http://www.overeatersanonymous.org/