MyPoint Credit Union proudly stands as a member of the North County Philanthropy Council and is dedicated to making a positive impact in our communities. Guided by the principles of knowledge, support, and inclusivity, MyPoint believes in the transformative power of education.

With an unwavering dedication to financial literacy, MyPoint has conducted over 800 workshops, imparting essential skills in budgeting, credit management, and savings. The credit union’s bilingual workshops break language barriers, ensuring that everyone has access to crucial financial understanding.

In addition to these workshops, MyPoint extends its support to more than 50 organizations whose missions align with its values. This collaborative effort reflects the essence of the Credit Union motto, “people helping people.” MyPoint’s significant contributions to community well-being are evident in its active involvement and support.

As a proud member of the North County Philanthropy Council and the recipient of the 2023 Corporate Philanthropy Award, MyPoint’s commitment to positive change is recognized. However, the credit union acknowledges this as a renewed call to continue efforts with humility, hand in hand with the communities served.

We’re proud to be a part of San Diego, full of one-of-a-kind communities and diverse and passionate doers. At MyPoint Credit Union, we want to help these doers – individuals, families, local businesses, and everyone in-between – do more of the things they love in the city they call home. For over 75 years, we’ve been helping our members make the most out of their finances so they can live life on their own terms. Life may be short, but it should be awesome, and that’s why we’re focused on helping our members get the most out of their lives.

Connect with MyPoint Credit Union:

mypointcu.com

Adriana Brunner, VP of Community and BD.
abrunner@mypointcu.com

Cox offers affordable internet and Wi-Fi program for eligible K-12 households

Low-income households with children in grades K-12 that need help getting connected to the internet at home can take advantage of an affordable internet program through Cox Communications.

Cox’s Connect2Compete program helps families get and stay connected by offering home Wi-Fi for $9.95 a month so their children have the technology tools they need for their education.

Access to technology at home is critical to the quality of a student’s education, yet many students in America lack internet access. That’s why Cox Communications is working to provide opportunities for families and students by offering low-cost internet to qualified households through its Connect2Compete program.

• 1/3 of households with children ages 6 to 17 do not have a high-speed internet connection at home.
• 25% of teens are often unable to complete homework assignments due to unreliable computer or internet access.
• 91% of Cox Connect2Compete enrolled parents agree low-cost internet service at home gives children a leg up for high school graduation.
• 95% of parents enrolled in Cox Connect2Compete reported that the internet has improved their communication with their child’s school.

To learn more about Cox’s Connect2Compete options, visit cox.com/digitalequity.

 

What is your Mission?

Leichtag Foundation honors the legacy of Lee and Toni Leichtag through igniting and inspiring vibrant Jewish life, advancing self-sufficiency and stimulating social entrepreneurship in coastal North San Diego County and Jerusalem.

Since its inception in 1991, the Leichtag Foundation has granted over $145 million to 496 different organizations. Of this amount, over $130 million has been granted since becoming independent in late 2007. About 21% have stayed in Encinitas.

What do you offer to the community?

Leichtag Foundation makes a positive impact in both North San Diego County and Jerusalem by advocating for systemic change, convening partners, strengthening grantee capacity, developing talent, leveraging resources, and forging connections between strategic areas.

The center of the Foundation’s physical operations is Leichtag Commons, a 67.5-acre agricultural property in Encinitas that is also home to The Hive, a nonprofit co-working and professional development hub, with currently over 30 Jewish, environmental, agricultural, and social justice nonprofits and social enterprises working together under one roof. Leichtag Commons is also home to Coastal Roots Farm (CRF), a nonprofit Jewish community farm and education center that provides organic produce for vulnerable communities in addition to hosting camps, educational programs, and events that celebrate farming, Jewish holidays, social justice, and Jewish wisdom. Last year, CRF grew nearly 80,000 pounds of organic food for more than 45,000 people using regenerative agriculture that reverses the impacts of climate change.

In 2018, Leichtag Foundation launched Jerusalem Philanthropic Initiatives (JPI), whose mission is to advance civil society and philanthropy in Jerusalem. Through efforts such as the Jerusalem Model, JPI works with civil society organizations, partner funders and other stakeholders to magnify impact in the realms of social cohesion, diversity and inclusion and transformational change.

What is currently your biggest focus?

In October, Leichtag Foundation’s partner Impact Cubed launched the Israel Emergency Grassroots Response Initiative. Through networks and trust built with leaders on the ground, Impact Cubed has special expertise in making change happen and getting services to those who need it most in trusted, effective, culturally competent ways. On October 7th, grassroots changemakers of all sectors in Israel became first responders in the face of catastrophe and devastation. Because of our 10+ years of experience working in the field of bottom-up change, Leichtag Foundation and Impact Cubed can quickly leverage resources for trusted, on-the-ground first responders where it is needed the most. Leichtag Foundation has supported the Initiative and our longstanding grassroots partners since October 7. Impact Cubed has provided regular updates on the shifting priority needs of leaders on the ground so that community members can stay informed and pivot their support through the Initiative accordingly.

What are your upcoming programs?

The Hive hosts monthly professional development workshops online and in-person. The Hive’s Fundraising Fridays offers an informal, virtual (and very popular!) hour for local colleagues in philanthropy to share advice on fundraising matters in partnership with NCPC and AFP San Diego. Find all upcoming events here.

What do you benefit most from being a member of NCPC?

Each of us at Leichtag Foundation appreciates the capacity building opportunities for our region’s social impact professionals and organizations that lead to a stronger field. We are also grateful for the collaborations and partnerships that enhance the work we do and the outcomes we achieve.

Learn more at https://leichtag.org

The Catalent San Diego’s Mission and Vision:

At Catalent San Diego, we are dedicated to two things:

Catalent San Diego’s mission is to develop, manufacture, and supply products that help people live better healthier lives. We work closely with innovative biotech (worldwide) that have life-changing small molecules or peptides. In the San Diego facility, we help biotech turn these molecules into capsules, tablets or injectables to be used in ‘first in human’ clinical trials.

What do you offer to the community?

We have a long tradition at Catalent San Diego of volunteerism with our employees through our ‘Catalent Cares’ program to the donation of grants for non-profits that have heavy, positive impacts in our community. We willingly give our time and treasure to ensure that our community knows that we could not be here without them. We not only help construct lifesaving treatments (with our partner biotech) for those in need, but we also give back in a more immediate and direct way.

Have you made a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within your organization/company, and if so, how are you demonstrating it?

At Catalent, we foster an environment where individuals are welcomed, appreciated, heard, and respected, where differences and similarities are valued. We aim to create a collaborative and engaging workplace that drives innovation and excellence. From our experience, employees with different backgrounds and experiences working together can yield better decisions, driving innovation and excellence in everything we do. Our diversity and inclusion (D&I) council break down silos where people feel they can share their ideas freely and take considered risks, often leading to higher contributions. We frequently have in-depth discussions about the direction of the D&I strategy, priority areas, and the groundwork that needs to be done across the organization. Our D&I program creates a working environment that provides more innovation, better access to talent, and additional opportunities for continued career advancement. Collaboration through trust, respect, and empathy are key elements for success. The uniqueness of every employee makes Catalent an inclusive place where we not only realize our dreams, but also the dreams of our customers and the patients we serve.

Learn more at https://www.catalent.com/our-locations/north-america/san-diego-usa/

The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at VVSD, Oceanside’s Mission and Vision:

The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at VVSD, Oceanside provides confidential, high-quality therapy, and local referral support services to post-9/11 veterans, service members*National Guard and Reserves, and their family members, including spouse or partner, children, parents, siblings, caregivers, and others. Care is available regardless of discharge status, role while in uniform, or combat experience. Insurance or ability to pay will never be a barrier to care. *TRICARE referral needed for active duty.

Who We Serve

• Veterans: Veterans who have served in the United States Armed Services, including the National Guard and Reserves, with a focus on post-9/11 veterans. Care is available regardless of discharge status, role while in uniform, combat experience, ability to pay or insurance.
• Military Families: Family members of post-9/11 veterans and service members, including spouse or partner, children, parents, siblings, caregivers, and others.
• Service members: Service members of the United States Armed Services and National Guard and Reserves, regardless of activation status. Active duty service members require a TRICARE referral. Referral is required prior to being seen for individual therapy or medication management, but no referral is necessary for couples or family therapy. Service members can obtain this referral from their military treatment facility (primary care clinic or mental health clinic). Our clinicians will not communicate with commanders/supervisors.

Case Management

We also focus on meeting the needs of our clients to improve the quality of their life with brief case management and local resource connection, including information about VA benefits, as well as Transition Services, Caregiver Support, Childcare, Education, Employment, Legal Assistance, Personal Finances and more.

For more information, visit vvsd.net/cohenclinicoceanside.

 

The Grauer School’s Mission and Vision:

The Grauer School, a grade 7-12 independent, college preparatory school, celebrates 32 years in Encinitas. At The Grauer School, we prioritize our students’ curiosity, independence, and joy, and we value relationships above all else. Our teachers know their students. They make time to listen and to guide, face-to-face. As a result, Grauer students develop the courage and freedom to cultivate their curiosity, master academic requirements, and engage in their school community. In many ways, this is the root of our success. Our kids learn to think, to nurture their unique ideas, to find joy in the process of learning, and ultimately to create the world they want to live in. Imagine the possibilities.

The Grauer School is a proud member of NCPC and welcomes the community to join us for a Discover Grauer Day school-day tour, which is a great opportunity for families to visit our campus and classrooms while school is in session. Through small group tours, families can experience “a day in the life” of a Grauer student. We look forward to having the opportunity to showcase our joyful community, our wonderful teachers, and our culture of relationship-based learning to your family. Discover Grauer Days take place from 9:00am to 10:15am on January 11, January 22, January 30, and February 7. To learn more about The Grauer School and to RSVP, visit www.grauerschool.com or call 760-944-6777.

Universidad Popular (UP), a grassroots community-based organization, was founded in 2012 in North County San Diego by a group of Chicana/Mexican/Latinx grassroots leaders with the mission of nurturing human dignity, multicultural appreciation, and a culture of trust and civic participation in our nation’s democratic process. Specifically, Universidad Popular aims to fill a major gap in human rights education, to foster multi-racial collaboration across agencies, organizations, and communities, and to center equity and social justice at the heart of its work.

Universidad Popular brings together diverse leaders and educators with bold ideas to envision and create innovative programs that are culturally/linguistically responsive, data-driven, and social justice focused. The organization employs a three-prong approach that is intergenerational, action-oriented, and culturally responsive:

1) INTERGENERATIONAL approach bridges generational ecosystems that serve elders, parents, and youth. The target Latinx and immigrant community has the largest population of limited English-speaking Mexican indigenous migrants and immigrants. The extended family unit approach reflects a culturally appropriate understanding of the Mexican/Latinx community.

2) ACTION-ORIENTED approach is based on educación popular, a pedagogy based on Paulo Freire’s (1970) method of dialectic interchange and kinesthetic learning. Information is presented through a culturally responsive lens in English, Spanish and bilingual formats which resonate with participants’ histories and lived experiences. An essential element to the model is empowerment and connecting students’ learning with their role in creating positive social change.

3) STRENGTH-BASED theoretical framework is based on Tara Yosso’s (2006) theory of “cultural wealth,” which is a strength-based framework that highlights the importance of familial and cultural beliefs, practices, skills, abilities, contacts, and knowledge. This novel approach, in synergy with the human rights framework, can greatly improve our work’s effectiveness helping to connect, rediscover and cultivate ancestral roots to new practices.

Universidad Popular’s community education classes include U.S. History/Government, Voting Rights, human rights, immigrant rights, Chicana/Chicanx Studies, Ethnic Studies, and Women/Gender Studies, Worker Rights, Leadership, Citizenship, Environmental Health and Justice, Emergency/Disaster preparedness, and Economic Justice. Most of the classes are offered in Spanish.  For additional information, visit our website www.unipopulr.org.

—

Arcela Nuñez-Alvarez

Co-Founder and Co-Director

Universidad Popular

M: 760-484-1398    E: arcela@unipopular.org

W: www.unipopular.org

What do you benefit most from being a member of NCPC?

Being a premier member of the North County Philanthropy Council provides valuable connection opportunities to enhance our philanthropic reach in the community. In addition, it provides an avenue to network and learn from other incredible community and charitable organizations impacting our community.

What is your Mission?

The mission of the Palomar College Foundation is to assure equal access to success for all Palomar College students by inspiring individual, business, and foundation philanthropic support that helps remove financial barriers and provides essential educational resources.

In addition to direct student support, the Foundation’s mission includes support of college and faculty initiatives that enhance the educational experience of Palomar College students.

What do you offer to the community?

The Palomar College Foundation provides support for student success through our core programs of scholarships, textbook assistance, and student emergency grants. We administer more than 500 scholarship opportunities annually that benefit our students. Our popular Textbook Assistance Program assures students the access they need to textbooks for their courses; the complementary Comets Affordable Learning Materials (CALM) program has saved students more than $10 million in textbook costs for our students since 2018. Student emergency grants address critical and time-sensitive needs and issues, providing students assistance that keeps them on track and continuing their education.

We also provide support for crucial programs that afford specialized support for military veterans who are beginning or resuming their education. We are the vehicle through which the philanthropic gifts of individuals and companies in the area help build our capacity to encourage the pursuit of higher education, particularly for those from underserved communities.

What was your organization/company’s biggest accomplishment in the past six months – one year?

Our goal is to make higher education accessible to every student who wants it and to eliminate disparities that discourage local students from pursuing higher education. In 2022, the Palomar College Foundation awarded over $1 million to students, gave 500 scholarships, and provided $300K in grants to remove financial barriers and provide essential resources. Approximately 3,000 students benefited from the foundation’s charitable efforts and activities, and 400 students received emergency grants or computers. Our priority is to nurture educational excellence and provide support to the next generation of professionals in various fields.

Have you made a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within your organization/company and if so, how are you demonstrating it?

At Palomar College and the Foundation, we are deeply committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion and ensuring that everyone has access to equitable opportunities. We understand the importance of providing a safe and creative learning environment for all students and work tirelessly to achieve this goal. By embracing diversity and encouraging collaboration, we believe that we can create a truly enriching educational experience that benefits everyone involved.

Palomar College is an institution of opportunity for a large and highly diverse local population—diverse economically, socially, racially, and in almost every other way. About 62% of our student body is comprised of racial and ethnically diverse individuals. By gender, 54% of the undergraduate student body is female, and 46% male. We also host students from 47 countries who help enrich the educational and cultural experience for all our students.

Palomar College is deeply dedicated to not just diversity, equity, and inclusion but also to an active antiracist stance, expressed in many opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to understand better both systemic and individual biases that create barriers to understanding and equitable access to education. We also share a strong commitment to accessibility for all.

We understand that the success of inclusivity is success for not only the individuals most directly affected but also for the communities of which they are a part and the companies of which they are ultimately employees. Studies clearly demonstrate the economic, social, and personal benefits of higher education for individuals and their communities.

What event/program or campaign do you have coming up that you would like to share with our readers?

The Palomar College Community Showcase is scheduled for March 6, 2024. The breakfast event attracts over 300 business and community leaders as we come together to celebrate Palomar College Superintendent/President, Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey’s annual report to the community. In addition, the Foundation recognizes the annual philanthropist of the year through our Comet Award and showcases one of our esteemed academic programs. For more information, please visit: https://www.palomar.edu/foundation/

The Council for Supplier Diversity, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, drives economic empowerment in underserved communities through supplier diversity initiatives. We’re dedicated to expanding opportunities for women, minorities, service-disabled veterans, and other underrepresented businesses. We strongly believe that diverse business growth is essential for reducing poverty and unemployment and fostering societal integration and wealth creation in the US.

As a committed partner, we help diverse suppliers expand their operations and improve their economic standing. This growth enables them to create opportunities for others in underserved communities. We provide services such as supplier diversity sourcing, physical office space, conference and training room space reservations, specialized business lending services to provide businesses the funding they need to expand, and a variety of supplier development and training programs to help our suppliers grow their businesses, create jobs, and contribute to the economic empowerment of the local community.

One of our highlights over this past year has been implementing our accelerator program in collaboration with our partner, Southern California Gas Company. This program addresses the long-standing issue of underrepresenting African-American businesses in the gas pipeline construction space, where economic opportunity exists. We took an industry with virtually no African-American suppliers and developed a program to build their capacity to do this type of work by connecting and partnering them with experienced companies already working in the space. The partnerships created as a result of this program will allow them to secure contracts and get exposure to projects that were previously out of reach. We have seen great success with this model this year, and we hope to expand it to other industries in the new year!

Additionally, we take pride in advancing our “Category Sourcing Exchange” model. These tailored gatherings offer a unique platform for buyers specializing in particular product/service categories to engage with relevant suppliers. These events facilitate a direct link between supply-chain decision-makers and diverse suppliers, ensuring productive connections. Our DBEs who take part in these exchanges get to sit face-to-face with corporate buyers, providing them an extremely valuable opportunity to make connections in their industries and an efficient way to secure new business. Our category sourcing exchanges have been a hit from both the buyer and the supplier side; a win-win!

We are excited to announce that we will be holding our year-end meeting and recognition reception on Thursday, December 14th. This event is not just a celebration; it’s an opportunity to join hands in our collective efforts to strengthen the local economy and foster economic opportunities through supplier diversity. This is a great opportunity to get updated on the advancements the Council has made over the past year, and network with our corporate members, DBEs, and other community partners who will be in attendance. By attending, you contribute to the success of our many programs designed to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and foster economic growth in our local community. We encourage you to go to our website and register for this event! Sponsorship opportunities are also available on our registration page.

Ronald B. Garnett

President & CEO

rgarnett@supplierdiversitysd.org

Website: https://www.councilforsupplierdiversity.org/

Year-End Event: https://csd.wufoo.com/forms/w1ok0xsc0tij8s9/

San Diego North Economic Development Council (SDNEDC) is an economic development organization that is focused on helping North County grow toward a more inclusive, thriving, and prosperous economy.  We measure our success in how residents can connect with increased employment opportunities that provide good wages, benefits, and a pathway toward prosperity.  Operating in the communities located north of State Route 56, we attempt to accomplish our mission in three core ways:

• Marketing North County as an attractive place to invest and grow private sector employment.
• Retaining and expanding employment opportunities at existing companies – helping them overcome challenges so they can continue to grow in North County.
• Connecting employers and educators so they can better understand workforce needs and educational capabilities so residents can gain the skills they need to succeed and thrive.

Under this third pillar – Connecting – one of the programs we are most excited about is Student Opportunities for Career Awareness and Learning (SOCAL) – a joint program with Tri-City Medical Center and six north county chambers of commerce.  Two years ago, SOCAL introduced its initial offering: an asynchronous learning platform (www.socalworkforce.org). This platform enables North County students to delve into various careers; hear directly from a diverse group of individuals about necessary job skills; learn about the paths those individuals took to their current positions; and discover the aspects of their jobs they value the most. The site currently hosts 107 videos from 30+ North County Employers.

SDNEDC and its partners have also invested resources in promoting the SOCAL program – reaching out directly to high schools and community colleges throughout North County and attending dozens of career and college fairs to promote the tool.  We have worked hard to recruit a diverse set of interviewees and feature many careers that do not necessarily require a 4-year degree.  It is important to grow an economy that works for as many people as possible, reflecting the diversity of North County. SOCAL represents those core priorities.

We continue to grow the library of careers featured and would love to work with North County Philanthropy Council members to feature additional occupations or to discuss ways to further expand the program.  Students need more resources to explore and understand the career options available to them. By providing a free asynchronous learning tool to students and districts, we are providing an avenue for students to engage in this learning at their convenience without being dependent on the schedule of a volunteer speaker.

Please reach out to SDNEDC’s CEO Erik Bruvold at ebruvold@sdnedc.org for more information.