When torrential rain opened over California in the winter of 2023, few could have imagined the devastation that would follow. Fueled by rare atmospheric rivers, communities were flooded with destruction like they had never seen before. Among them was Pajaro, a small Monterey County town, where homes and livelihoods were destroyed.  

While this disaster did leave behind broken levees, it also ignited a new vision for preparedness, particularly in vulnerable communities where disasters repeatedly hit the hardest.  

That realization quickly became the impetus to launch the 18th Red Cross Community Adaptation Program (CAP) across the country out of Monterey County. This is an innovative Red Cross initiative designed to strengthen local partner networks in disaster-prone areas, ensuring families have the tools and support they need before the next emergency strikes. 

This past fall, the Monterey-based CAP team brought that vision to life during an inspiring bus tour for transformational donors and supporters. They were able to see firsthand how the partnerships and preparedness these donors have invested in through this Red Cross program are reshaping resilience along the Central Coast. The day was filled with meaningful conversations, community engagement and a shared commitment to building resilience across the Central Coast. 

Arranged by Central Coast Chapter Board Member Mark Phillips, the day began at Granite Construction, a long-standing Red Cross partner. Here, participants learned about CAP’s mission and progress before setting out to visit three remarkable organizations making a difference. 

Stop 1: Meals on Wheels of Salinas Valley & Alliance on Aging 

Executive Directors Regina Gage and MJ Donohue welcomed the group to a vibrant community event where seniors gathered for a community lunch that was served by the CAP tour attendees, complete with dancing! At a Red Cross outreach table, attendees picked up first aid kits and home fire safety resources, underscoring CAP’s commitment to preparedness for older adults. 

Stop 2: Rancho Cielo Youth Campus 

Hosted by Chris Devers, CEO of Rancho Cielo, this visit highlighted how CAP enhancements are empowering youth and transforming the campus into a future Resilience Hub. Guests enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by students in the culinary program while learning how vocational training builds confidence and disaster readiness. 

Stop 3: Pajaro Rescue Mission 

At the final stop, Executive Director Mike Bordon reflected on how the Pajaro Rescue Mission house serves as a stabilizing haven for individuals navigating complex chapters in their lives, offering community, a sense of belonging and the essential resources needed to support their recovery journey. Attendees heard moving accounts from staff and community members whose lives were profoundly affected by the 2023 Pajaro flooding, stories that underscored the mission’s commitment to supporting people of all genders across its various homes. 

Among those deeply moved was Linda Dotson of Los Altos, a dedicated Red Cross supporter. “I guess COVID was the push needed for me to come to this, so I shifted my thinking to what some call “giving while living.”  I had a plan set up so that a lot of what was left when I die would go to charities like the American Red Cross,” Linda shared. “This shift led me to go looking for organizations and activities where I could help to make real and concrete change.” 

Over the years, Linda has made significant contributions to Red Cross Disaster Services, from preparedness to response, helping ensure communities like Monterey County have the resources they need to thrive before and after emergencies. 

Monterey CAP Manager Gaby Perez Albarracin reflected on the day by sharing, “Connecting donors with the people and places they support transforms generosity into relationships. It invites everyone to understand a shared journey of collaboration, support, and possibility.”

The tour also included members of the Malott Family Foundation, who emphasized the power of preparedness. “We trust the Red Cross to identify these types of local organizations with strong community ties, to share best practices, and to efficiently allocate capacity-building resources,” shared Deane Malott. “Across U.S. CAP sites, the Red Cross has proven that preemptive initiatives have greater impact than equivalent recovery investments. The Malott Family Foundation is proud to support CAP communities to help prepare before the next emergency strikes.” 

As the day concluded, one message was clear: resilience is built thanks to connections and commitments to ensure preparedness. The Community Adaptation Program is more than a response strategy; it’s a promise to stand with communities and empower them for challenges ahead.  

Thank you to all who joined and who support the Red Cross to ensure local networks and families are prepared when the next disaster strikes. To learn more about the program, visit redcross.org/NCCRCAP and to view pictures from the bus tour, click here.