October 4, 2019 – San Diego, CA – Ramona Community Foundation (RCF), an affiliate of The San Diego Foundation, awarded $47,000 in funding at its 8th Annual Grants Celebration on October 3 to 13 nonprofit programs that will enhance quality of life and inspire community pride in Ramona.

“For eight years, community members in Ramona have come together to support a variety of programs that enhance the quality of life in the region,” shared Kristin Zook, RCF Board Chair. “By giving together, Ramona Community Foundation members are taking a firsthand approach to building a stronger, more vibrant community for everyone who lives, works and plays in Ramona.”

The nonprofits funded include: American Academy of Pediatricians, ArtReach, City Hope, Feeding San Diego, Heart and Hooves Therapy, Pacific Education Facilities, Ramona Junior Fair, Ramona Parks and Recreation Association, San Diego Opera, Spirit of Joy, Trauma Intervention Programs, Voices for Children, and Write Out Loud.

RCF is dedicated to improving the quality of life and meeting emerging needs in Ramona by increasing responsible and effective philanthropy; building a community endowment for the benefit of the region; providing funds annually to local organizations and causes; and giving the community a vehicle for legacy planning and gifts that will benefit Ramona now and forever.

Since its inception, RCF has granted more than $250,000 to over 60 nonprofit programs that strengthen quality of life for all who live, work and enjoy Ramona.

To become a member, visit the RCF site or contact Trudy Armstrong at trudy@sdfoundation.org.

About the 2019 Grantees:

American Academy of Pediatricians – San Diego Chapter

Reach Out and Read San Diego

This grant of $1,000 will help improve educational and developmental outcomes for disadvantaged youth by encouraging parents to regularly read to and engage with their children. Messaging and free books will be provided to children and their families when receiving care during childcare visits at the North County Health Services, Ramona Health Center.

ArtReach

Ramona Elementary Visual Arts and Traveling Murals

This grant of $3,000 will introduce all fourth and fifth graders at Ramona Elementary School to the power of collaborative art and mural making. In addition, students in kindergarten through third grade will learn about landscape art. Through the program, ArtReach will provide a safe and engaging environment for students to nurture their confidence, creativity and problem-solving skills.

City Hope

Ramona Domestic Violence Response Team and Trauma Support

This grant of $5,000 will help City Hope build a team of trained trauma and domestic violence volunteer responders. In addition, City Hope will offer community classes in communication coaching, navigating trauma in relationships, and other educational workshops to better support families and individuals in Ramona.

Feeding San Diego

Ramona Agency Produce Program       

This grant of $3,000 will allow Feeding San Diego to provide approximately 104,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Ramona families and children who need it most. Feeding San Diego will work with local distributors, including Ramona Food & Clothes Closet, First Congressional Church of Ramona and the Ramona Branch Library, to deliver food out into the community.

Heart and Hooves Therapy

On-site and Off-site Sessions and Visits

This grant of $3,000 will provide scholarships to Ramona-based families to participate in Heart and Hooves Therapy programs. Scholarships will be available for all children 2 years to 100+ years old and teach people confidence, courage and respect. Programs include education about basic horse safety, grooming and foot care, in addition to educational learning based on the participant’s age.

Ramona Senior Center

Senior Nutrition Program

This grant of $3,500 will help the Ramona Senior Center improve the quality of life for seniors age 60 and over through good nutrition and socialization. Funding will help provide approximately 200 meals a day for seniors at home and those who visit the center every day. The program allows seniors to continue living healthy and social lives as they age.

Ramona Junior Fair

New Industrial Fan

This grant of $5,000 will assist with the purchase of a second large industrial fan to be installed in the beef barn, the second barn at the Ramona Junior Fairgrounds. The Fairgrounds is a venue for events and meetings throughout the year and the new fan will help protect the welfare of the animals, participants and supporters who visit the space.

Ramona Parks & Recreation Association

Adult Enrichment Education Program

This grant of $5,000 will allow the Ramona Parks and Recreation Association (RPRA) to develop and implement adult enrichment courses in Ramona. There is a gap in the programs available in Ramona after high school, especially because community college opportunities are extremely limited and the distance to nearby cities makes participation difficult. This program will help create a pilot program of educational classes and opportunities for Ramona adults.

San Diego Opera

Ramona Demonstrations

This grant of $4,000 grant will enable the San Diego Opera to host Opera Exposed! concerts in Ramona to benefit audiences of all ages. The events will feature engaging and thrilling performances of timeless masterpieces of opera, as well as contemporary works about issues important to the diverse members of the community.

Spirit of Joy

Monument Restoration and Maintenance

This grant of $5,000 will help establish a more permanent solution to the landscape and upkeep of the Welcome to Ramona Monument sign. The restoration project will enhance the sign and the surrounding area so that the sign remains a landmark for all who visit and live in Ramona.

Trauma Intervention Program of San Diego, Inc.

Crisis Intervention Support

This grant of $2,000 grant will provide the Ramona Fire Department with ongoing support from Trauma Intervention Program volunteers serving the citizens of Ramona. Volunteers will be available to respond to the Ramona Fire Department 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Voices for Children

CASA Program

This grant of $5,000 grant will help Voices for Children recruit prospective Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA’s), as well as support information sessions and outreach events to recruit new volunteers. Voices for Children will also conduct eight sessions of Advocate University where CASA’s will undergo 35+ hours of trainings that will help volunteers transform the lives of abused, abandoned or neglected children in the community.

Write Out Loud

Write Out Loud Ramona

This grant of $2,500 grant will provide at least 28 performances of StoryBox Theatre at the Ramona Library; Ramona pre-schools, elementary and middle schools; and the Ramona Boys and Girls Club. This funding will also support a minimum of 16 performances of Stories for Seniors at Ramona Senior Manor and Ramona Senior Lodge.

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About the Ramona Community Foundation & the Regional Affiliate Program

The Regional Affiliate Program, including the Ramona Community Foundation, was established by The San Diego Foundation to create a regional network of affiliate foundations by leveraging local leadership, building endowments, increasing impactful philanthropy, and promoting civic engagement. Affiliates reside in Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Escondido, La Jolla, Oceanside, Ramona, Rancho Bernardo, and 4S Ranch-Del Sur. The Regional Affiliate program has exceeded 1,000 members, established endowments of more than $5 million overall, and granted more than $6 million in total to nonprofit organizations throughout the region.

About The San Diego Foundation

The San Diego Foundation maximizes the impact of your charitable giving. We mobilize philanthropic resources to advance quality of life, increase social impact and champion civic engagement. For more than 40 years, The Foundation and our donors have granted more than $1.1 billion to grow a vibrant San Diego region. Learn more on our website, and consider a donation to the Fund for the Future Endowment which supports San Diego community needs for good, forever.

Contacts

Vince Heald, Beck Ellman Heald, 858-453-9600, vheald@behmedia.com

Justin Nunez, The San Diego Foundation, 336-254-7056, justin@sdfoundation.org