Barona Tribe Awards Five Education Grants Totaling $25,000 to Soledad Enrichment Action Charter Schools

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwired - Dec 15, 2014) - Today, staff and students of five Soledad Enrichment Action (SEA) Charter Schools accepted a $25,000 education grant from the Barona Band of Mission Indians, a San Diego County Native American Tribe. The check was presented by the Tribe's Chairman, Clifford LaChappa, at the Hyde Park campus in Los Angeles. Barona has given a total of $260,000 in education grant funds to Soledad Enrichment Action Inc. Charter School locations since 2006.

Soledad Enrichment Action Inc. was founded in 1972 by mothers in East Los Angeles who had lost their sons to gang violence. It has since grown to become the leading provider of services to high-risk and gang-affected communities within Southern California offering educational resources, counseling, exposure to the arts and experimental learning.

"The Barona Education Grant program has allowed us to provide educational tools and much needed technology to students who really need the assistance," said Clifford LaChappa, Chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. "Soledad Enrichment Action families face overwhelming challenges and we are proud to support Principal Vasquez as he continues to provide a safe place for students to grow and thrive."

The following schools received a $5,000 Barona Education Grant:

• SEA Crenshaw site, endorsed by Senator Holly Mitchell
• SEA North Long Beach site, endorsed by former Assemblyman and current Senator-Elect Isadore Hall
• SEA Soto site, endorsed by Senator Kevin de Leon
• SEA Hyde Park site, endorsed by Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas
• SEA Highland Park site, endorsed by Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez
  
  

Since 2006, the Barona Band of Mission Indians has awarded over $2.3 million to 474 schools statewide to help bridge school budget gaps and share resources through its Barona Education Grant Program.

The program is the first of its kind in California created and administered by a Tribal Government. The goal of the program is to create strong educational opportunities for the children of California building upon the success of the Barona Indian Charter School, which operates under a continuous improvement model. Schools throughout California can apply for educational grants from Barona to purchase much needed supplies and materials that promote academic improvement. Each grant awarded by the Barona Education Grant Program is $5,000. Applications can be downloaded at http://barona-nsn.gov/education.

About the Barona Band of Mission Indians
The Barona Band of Mission Indians, recognized by the United States government as a sovereign nation, has lived on the Barona Indian Reservation in rural eastern San Diego County since 1932. Prior to that, the Tribe lived on the Capitan Grande Reservation which was established by the federal government in 1875. Long before living on a reservation, the Tribe traveled across Southern California in tune with the seasons and what nature provided. Today, the sovereign nation, governed by an elected Tribal Council, is serving its Tribal members, their families, and sharing with the San Diego region. One of the most successful gaming Tribes in the country, Barona also owns and operates the Barona Resort & Casino, San Diego's leading gaming resort, casino and golf course. For more information, visit www.barona-nsn.gov.