RBCF Strengthens Community with $96,050 in Grants

More than 300 Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation (RBCF) members, community leaders and partners came together last month for the Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon to celebrate over 30 years of giving in the community.

The event, which is widely recognized as the community’s kickoff to the holiday season, showcased the impact of philanthropy and local giving. This year, RBCF awarded $96,050 to 20 nonprofit organizations that are helping to make Rancho Bernardo a great place to live, work and play.

Providing Life-Changing Experiences

Among the many programs that received funding was the YMCA of San Diego County. Its Teens in Motion program supports Rancho Bernardo youth with developmental disabilities in meeting their fullest potential.

Teens in Motion is an after-school program designed to provide supervision and support with carefully selected activities that encourage physical, emotional and social development among students with developmental disabilities. Students enrolled in the program participate in activities such as art projects, homework assistance and regional field trips.

As one parent described, “Our YMCA Teens in Motion story began in 2014 and thanks to our son’s participation in the Teen in Motion program, he has acquired many valuable benefits. It means the world to us that his friends at Teens in Motion are like a family to him. As parents, we can rest assured that our son is happy and learning skills that will be invaluable for his entire life.”

For children with disabilities, learning social skills takes time and effort. Through the program, YMCA of San Diego County helps children with disabilities learn social skills and apply them in day-to-day situations by introducing them to their communities through outings. Community outings provide students with opportunities to participate in community life in similar ways as their typical peers.

The grant from RBCF will help support the transportation and event costs required when taking the Rancho Bernardo students on field trips around the region. The field trips and other activities that the Teens in Motion program provides are geared to support the successful transition of each participant to adulthood in a safe and nurturing environment. 

Get Involved

Since 1988, the members of RBCF have granted more than $800,000 out to the community of Rancho Bernardo. The impact can be seen in the many successful programs that now support everyone from children to adults living in Rancho Bernardo. All of this is made possible through the Regional Affiliate Program, which puts community first.

If you aren’t yet a member, the Regional Affiliate Program is the perfect way to become an active participant in your community’s growth, wherever you live.