SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - February 25, 2011) - Today, the Barona Band of Mission Indians awarded a $5,000 education grant to the Harold J. Ballard Parent Center, which provides family-friendly resources to boost the academic success of students living in urban San Diego. Assemblymember Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) joined Principal Beatrice Fernandez in accepting the grant, which was presented by Edwin "Thorpe" Romero, Chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians.
The funds will be used to purchase a laptop computer, flash drives and calculators for the Ballard Center's Soaring Eagles Workshop. The workshop is an after-school cultural arts program, offered as part of the Center's American Indian Education program, which provides Native American/Alaskan Native K-12 students with an opportunity to learn traditional ceremonies and tribal customs.
"The students who attend the Soaring Eagles Workshop are often removed from their traditional tribal ceremonies and customs," said Barona Tribal Chairman Edwin "Thorpe" Romero. "We are pleased to support this important program that encourages students to participate in these culturally enriching activities, improving their self concept and cultural pride, which impacts their success in school and life."
Located in Old Town since 1995, the Ballard Parent Center serves as the home of San Diego Parent University, where parents learn how to strengthen their parenting skills, become more involved in their children's education as academic coaches and improve their ability to communicate with their children.
The Barona Band of Mission Indians has been sharing resources through its Barona Education Grant Program since 2006, awarding over $1 million to more than 200 schools statewide. The Barona Education Grant Program, created and administered by Tribal Government, is the first of its kind in California. The goal of the program is to create strong educational opportunities for the children of California by 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.
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.
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
Sheilla Alvarez
619-402-0182
Kelly Jacobs Speer
619-933-5013