SAN DIEGO–San Diego Center for Children, the city’s oldest accredited non-profit helping children, has received a $45,000 grant for its music program from The San Diego Women’s Foundation.
Founded in 1887, the San Diego Center for Children helps children thrive whose trauma, abuse or mental health challenges are delaying their school or community success. The Center provides an array of mental health and academic programs to help the children turn around their lives.
“We’re honored to receive this wonderful grant from The San Diego Women’s Foundation,” said Dave McCaslin, Executive Director of the Center. “We incorporate music into a number of our therapeutic programs. The magic and power of music is an essential part of the toolkit helping these children heal.”
McCaslin noted that the musical activities reduce stress and provide a positive creative outlet for the difficult emotions that the children process on a daily basis. “Through the San Diego Center for Children’s Music Program,” he added, “the children find an additional way to express themselves, build friendships, gain confidence, and connect to the world.”
These grants mark the 11th year of granting for The San Diego Women’s Foundation and moves the organization past the $2 million mark in donations to 58 nonprofit programs since its founding. “Our focus on Arts & Culture recognized several outstanding community partners that connect underserved children with artist and cultural experiences,” said Cindy Olmstead, president of The San Diego Women’s Foundation.
“These partners have demonstrated a true commitment to K-12 youth, and the results of their programs have enriched the lives of these children as well as their communities.”
The San Diego Women’s Foundation awarded $181,650 to five new community partners at its annual Grants Celebration on June 7, 2011, at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice.
Grants recognized programs that provide accessible artistic and cultural experiences that engage and educate underserved K-12 youth, while honoring the diversity of the San Diego region.
