SUBJECT
Title
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN AND NEIGHBORHOOD REINVESTMENT PROGRAM GRANTS (DISTRICT: 1)
Body
OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego is fortunate to have an opportunity to reinvest taxpayer money into our communities for the benefit of the public. This action will assist the County in meeting the needs of the community.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
VICE-CHAIR NORA VARGAS
1. Allocate $25,000 from the Community Enhancement American Rescue Plan Program budget (Org 12905) to California Federation of Women’s Club d.b.a. San Ysidro Women’s Club to support community projects aimed at addressing the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on low-income and minority communities by providing funding towards the distribution of blankets, books, backpacks, and school supplies. This grant request includes support towards scholarships that would help support students from low-income and minority communities in San Ysidro who historically have faced challenges acquiring, receiving, and completing higher education which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Allocate $15,000 from the Community Enhancement American Rescue Plan Program budget (Org 12905) to OnStage Playhouse, Inc. to support a diverse variety of theatre productions and community events aimed at addressing the unique economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on theatre productions as a result of prolonged venue closures that have made it difficult for theatre arts programs to recover from the pandemic by providing funding towards an Arts in the Park event in Chula Vista, stipends for performing artists, support for their educational program Page to Stage, support for their Community Conversations event, and to purchase marketing materials for community outreach activities.
3. Allocate $10,000 from the Community Enhancement American Rescue Plan Program budget (Org 12905) to Transcendance Youth Arts Project d.b.a. “transcenDANCE” to support culturally-sensitive therapeutic support aimed at addressing the disproportionate, economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth in underserved San Diego communities and on cultural and arts venues that were closed for prolonged periods of time in response to the pandemic by providing funding towards program staff salaries and program costs to benefit classes for youth, field trips to cultural institutions and open public spaces, workshops, and outreach performances and activities.
4. Allocate $40,000 from the Community Enhancement American Rescue Plan Program budget (Org 12905) to Bonitafest Melodrama Teatro Pastorela to support a diverse variety of theatre productions and community events aimed at addressing the disproportionate economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on middle- and working-class communities and on theatrical productions and community events that were closed in response to the pandemic by providing funding towards the 45th Annual Bonitafest Melodrama, the 50th Annual Bonitafest and parades, the 32nd Annual production of “La Pastorela,” and the production of original drama “Teresita” which all had been postponed and are now impacted by reduced revenue and increased costs such as requiring additional cleaning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
5. Allocate $13,000 from the Community Enhancement American Rescue Plan Program budget (Org 12905) to Kim Center for Social Balance to support workplace equity efforts aimed at addressing the disproportionate economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on working women by providing funding towards their inaugural San Diego LEAPS Assessment to conduct surveys for regional employers and their employees to address COVID-19-related workplace experiences and changing needs for employees/employers exacerbated by the pandemic. While the report will cover a broad array of issues, this funding is only for those portions of the report that address the impacts of COVID-19.
6. Allocate $8,500 from the Community Enhancement American Rescue Plan Program budget (Org 12905) to PASACAT, Inc. d.b.a. PASACAT Philippine Performing Arts Company to support dance and music productions aimed at addressing the disproportionate economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on low-income and minority communities and on performing arts which were closed during the pandemic by providing funding to provide instruction of Philippine dance and rondalla to students, and for the curation of Filipinos of South Bay exhibit at the Chula Vista Library. These activities would not be possible without this grant because of the effects of reduced funding and increased program delivery costs attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic.
7. Allocate $5,000 from the Community Enhancement American Rescue Plan Program budget (Org 12905) to TransFamily Support Services to support outreach programs aimed at addressing the public health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth by providing funding for support groups and mentorship programs for middle, high school, and college-aged Trans and non-binary youth through family-focused programming, educational offerings, and training courses. The funded program is intended to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth from communities that were particularly impacted by the pandemic.
8. Allocate $25,000 from the Community Enhancement American Rescue Plan Program budget (Org 12905) to Junior Achievement of San Diego County, Inc. to support educational programs and projects aimed at addressing the economic and educational impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on low-income and minority communities by providing funding towards Junior Achievement programs, in partnership with the Chula Vista Elementary School District, by providing Common Core-aligned experiential programs, which are designed to support student success in financial literacy, work-readiness, and entrepreneurship. The funded program is intended to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth from communities that were particularly impacted by the pandemic.
9. Allocate $12,500 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to I Am My Brother’s Keeper CDC to support the cost of their Food Distribution Program by providing funds for the acquisition of food for those in need, PPE, equipment used in the distribution of food, marketing materials, and administrative supplies and equipment.
10. Allocate $26,574 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California d.b.a. Asian Solidarity Collective for infrastructure upgrade including building new office space where they can plan and execute their activities. Funding also includes support for technology upgrades by purchasing computers, printers, phone system, and software. Funding also includes support to purchase a sound system and generator.
11. Allocate $6,000 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to Bonitafest Melodrama Teatro Pastorela d.b.a. Bonitafest to fund costs associated with repairing and re-installing Bonita’s yellow and turquoise glarfs.
12. Allocate $5,815 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to San Diego Children’s Choir to provide funds for program supplies and equipment for choral music instruction by purchasing digital pianos, a laptop, an iPad, tote bags, and a keyboard amplifier.
13. Allocate $22,500 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to National City OTNC Foundation to support three community events by purchasing event equipment and supplies such as event signage, t-shirts, acquisition of food for those in need, backpacks, and school supplies.
14. Find that each of the proposed grants has a public purpose and that those grants awarded using American Rescue Act Program funds are needed to address a negative economic or public health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
15. Authorize the Office of Financial Planning to enter into agreements and make minor amendments to agreements that do not change the purpose or amount of the grant to organizations awarded funds.
16. Find that the proposed allocations to Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California and Bonitafest Melodrama Teatro Pastorela are exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
We recognize that the systemic impacts that inequitable policies may create for residents in San Diego County. Find that these proposed allocations and amendment of funds are intended to improve the quality of life throughout the County by providing funds for non-profits and local agencies whose work addresses inequities, promotes quality of life and improves outcomes that align with the vision of our county. Organizations and agencies were chosen based on their location or the demographics they serve with a focus on organizations and agencies that focus on vulnerable community members, youth and senior events, and other inclusive community events. The organizations that were chosen work to promote a sense of belonging and utilize equity in their operations, outreach, and programs. Their supporting documents were reviewed as well as impact reports and community testimony.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for these grant requests are included in the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Operational Plan for Community Enhancement ARPA Program budget (Org 12905) and Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650). The fiscal impact of these recommendations is $141,500 from the Community Enhancement ARPA Program budget (Org 12905) and $73,389 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) totaling $214,889. The funding sources are General Purpose Revenue and the American Rescue Plan Act. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
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Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
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BACKGROUND
California Federation of Women’s Club d.b.a. San Ysidro Women’s Club
The California Federation of Women’s Clubs is affiliated with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. The San Ysidro chapter was founded in 1937, and has dedicated their service to the community towards education and helping those in need.
OnStage Playhouse, Inc.
OnStage Playhouse, Inc. is the only “live” theatrical stage in South Bay San Diego that operates year-round, producing regular shows, short-run productions, and free educational events for the community. Since 1986, this Chula Vista-based organization has been recognized as a significant cultural arts contributor to the community, and consistently impresses its audiences, critics, and judges with high-quality productions.
Transcendance Youth Arts Project d.b.a. “transenDANCE”
Transcendance Youth Arts Project d.b.a. “transcenDANCE” is a nationally-recognized creative youth development organization that works with teens in underserved San Diego communities. Their programs change the trajectory of students’ lives by building resilience, confidence, and creativity and by instilling life-changing skills such as leadership, collaboration, and community engagement.
Bonitafest Melodrama Teatro Pastorela
Founded in 1978, the Bonitafest Melodrama is an original historical musical-theater project designed to celebrate the unique culture and people of the South County. It is educational in nature and always based on actually San Diego County history. It creates meaningful performing arts opportunities for community members of all ages, and never charges participation fees. This allows low-income, underserved community members to join in. This year marks the 45th year of the Bonitafest Melodrama, making it the largest-running theatre production in the County. It has served hundreds of performing artists and many thousands of audience members. Bonitafest Melodrama serves as the fiscal agent for all other Bonitafest events and shares leadership.
Kim Center for Social Balance
The Kim Center for Social Balance was founded in 2016 to accelerate the achievement of equal status for all genders in the workplace. They value clarity of purpose with dedication to progress, emotional intelligence, and mindfulness of our actions and their impact on others. Throughout their work with employers and communities, they use data-driven tools to collaboratively design and implement actionable plans.
PASACAT, Inc. d.b.a. PASACAT Philippine Arts Company
In November 1970, PASACAT became the first formally organized Philippine Dance Company in San Diego. “Pasakat” is a Philippine Folk Dance, but in San Diego, it became “PASACAT” when the acronym for the Philippine American Society and Cultural Arts Troupe was formed. Today, PASACAT’s mission is to preserve and promote Asian Pacific culture through the arts, thereby, extending goodwill, and enhancing cultural understanding.
TransFamily Support Services
TransFamily Support Services is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where all clients, staff, volunteers, and board members feel respected and valued regardless of race, age, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, education, or any other bias. They are committed to modeling diversity, inclusion, and equity and maintaining fair and equal treatment for all. TransFamily Support Services offers Family Engagement Services, Training & Education, Speaker Services, and Support Groups.
Junior Achievement of San Diego County, Inc.
Junior Achievement of San Diego County, Inc. is one of over 100 local Junior Achievement areas across the United States, and constitutes the nation’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices. Their proven lessons in financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship are shown to positively impact the lives of young people.
I Am My Brother’s Keeper CDC
I Am My Brother’s Keeper CDC builds a stronger community and a sustainable San Diego. They provide food distribution, wrap-around training and counseling services, construction skills, basic math and reading skills, job searching skills and resume reviews, as well as basic computer skills for community members.
Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California d.b.a. Asian Solidarity Collective
Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California d.b.a. Asian Solidarity Collective is a grassroots organization in San Diego whose mission is to activate Asian American social justice consciousness, condemn anti-Blackness, and build Asian solidarity intersectionally with Black, Brown, and Indigenous folks, people with disabilities, queer and trans people of color, and all oppressed communities. Their work includes political education, community building, and collective action.
San Diego Children’s Choir
San Diego Children’s Choir was founded in 1990 and is the area’s oldest and largest choral training program serving children ages 4 to 18 at locations throughout San Diego County. They provide children with music education and performance opportunities that foster performance excellence and collaboration at the highest artistic level, nurturing individual development and creating a foundation for lifelong success. The Choir enriches the cultural fabric of San Diego County through the transformative power of music.
National City OTNC Foundation
The National City OTNC Foundation was founded to help preserve the cultural heritage and rich civic history that exists in Old Town National City. For more than three decades, the Foundation has held a semi-annual reunion event for community members filled with celebration, entertainment, cultural enrichment, historical and civic education, and fellowship. Additionally, the Foundation provides for Old Town National City families in need during Thanksgiving.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed actions to approve the grant allocations for the Neighborhood Reinvestment and Community Enhancement Programs supports the Sustainability, Community, and Equity Initiatives in the County of San Diego’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan by providing an opportunity for the Board of Supervisors to assist non-profits and public agencies’ programs and services that stimulate tourism, promote the economy, create jobs, enhance a better quality of life, and/or fund one-time community, social, environmental, educational, cultural, or recreational needs that serve public purposes in the county.
Respectfully submitted,
NORA VARGAS
Supervisor, First District
ATTACHMENT(S)
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