The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians
Providing Access to All Through Program and Event Sponsorship
The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians has a generous history of supporting San Diego Children's Discovery Museum programs and initiatives, and we are deeply appreciative to call them a Community Partner. In the summer of 2014, Rincon donated the final amount needed purchase our first Mobile Children's Museuma van. This support allowed us to launch a new program which would bring Museum's hands-on exhibits and educational workshops to schools and communities thoughout the region, including San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial Counties.
Rincon has continued to invest in SDCDM's future with new partnerships each year since then, supporting free admission for Active-Duty Military, Veterans, and their families, Access for All Membership Fund, and Path to Discovery Campaign wiht a Commemorative Naming Opportunity for the Native California House. This year SDCDM was honored to have Rincon as the Title Sponsor of our Annual Spring Gala "Oceania" which raised more than $70,000 for PlayLAB Exhibit Innovation and Access for All Initiatives to provide field trip and Mobile Children's Museum scholarships, complimentary admissions, and family memberships to underserved children and families.
In keeping with the tribal tradition of sharing, the Rincon Tribal Council funds services and programs that enhance the quality of life in the North County San Diego region. Since the philanthropy program was introduced in 2007-2008, the Rincon Band has funded more than 600 non-profits and public agency requests. The Committee supports requests that benefit children, youth, families, the military, and seniors. Additionally, the Committee funds sponsorships for organizations involved in specific fundraising goals, and events that promote a positive community experience, holiday celebrations, and recognize communities of common interest. The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians ancestors date back over 10,000 years and thrived with their own social, agricultural, scientific, artistic, religious, and governmental practices and traditions, leaving behind a story of courage and survival, and a resilient cultural heritage. Rincon proudly shares in the regional economy by providing jobs, purchasing from local vendors, and investing in surrounding communities through charitable donations and by underwriting public safety services.
Nordson Corporation Foundation
Improving Communities Through Educational Support
In April 2016, the Museum received a $5,000 grant award from Nordson Corporation to benefit our Access for All Scholarship Fund. By August, more than 250 low-income school children had benefited from the award, participating in eductional workshops on topics like Wildflower Science, Art of Science - Sea Turtles, Art of Science - Chicken Adaptations, and Chicken Life Cycle.
The Nordson Corporation Foundation operates on the belief that businesses, as a corporate citizen, has a social responsibility to share its success with the communities where it operates and draws employees. Since 1989, the Foundation has awarded over $50 million in grants. The Foundation is dedicated to improving our communities by supporting the continuum of education from birth to adulthood in the belief that education is the key for individuals to become self-sufficient, productive members of society. Through its grant-making, the Foundation supports organizations that directly or indirectly seek to maximze success before, during, and beyond the traditional classroom years.
Beyond providing financial assistance, employees from Nordson visited the Museum in August to spend the day beautifying our Welcome Garden. Supplying the materials and manpower, ten individuals landscaped the gardens with ecofriendly plants to provide an inviting registration area for school groups and camps, a sunny spot to have lunch, or a quiet space to take a break from playing in the Museum. SDCDM hosts a variety of educational programs throughout the year, including school field trips and camps, which align our mission with that of the Nordson Corporation Foundation. We were pleased to partner with them on this opportunity which provides an inviting and welcoming focal point to the Museum, and look forward to continuing our relationship in the future.
Susanne Stanford
Board of Directors and Path to Discovery Campaign
Long-time San Diego resident Susanne Stanford became involved with San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum in 2011 after an introduction by fellow Board Member, Larry Zeiger. A self-described "global citizen," Susanne is a leading advocate of SDCDM's exhibits, programs, and initiatives, believing it is crucial for children to be exposed to, and experience world cultures, the arts, and science through hands-on learning. A long-time San Diego County resident, Susanne had largely focused her community involvement on arts, education, and legal organizations in the communities of La Jolla and downtown San Diego. After her introduction to the Museum, she spent some time getting to know Executive Director Javier Guerrero and Museum staff, learning their vision for the recently acquired larger facility. It was a vision Susanne could align with, and a perfect fit for her philanthropic focus.
A Perfect Fit
As an Elementary School teacher with a background in Early Childhood Education, and a career as a Family Law attorney, there are few things Susanne loves more than being involved with the education of children. She especially loves working with children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and various ethnic backgrounds. Located in central Escondido, the Museum serves more Title One elementary schools than any other city in San Diego County, and is easily accessible by the many families who call North County home. In fact, the Museum is uniquely situated to serve Southern Riverside County, all of San Diego County, and Western Imperial County. Susanne believes that for each child inspired by SDCDM, hundreds more are touched over the course of that child's life and there is nothing more valuable than using her talent and energy to helping the Museum educate, inspire, and enrich children.
A Global Focus
The arts have long been Susanne's avocational passion, and over the years she has participated in countless children's theatre, puppetry, and imaginative and musical performances with her children and grandchildren. Significant time has been spent in museums, drawing with paint and clay, and building a personal art collection. Spirits soar with magic, and creativity, empathy, and imagination is enhanced by embracing the arts. Having traveled extensively, Susanne feels certain that the arts are a marker of historical unity – cultures and societies across the globe sing, play musical instruments, enact plays, and create pieces of art that have withstood the test of time. A void now exists in schools where art once existed, and she is grateful the Museum can fill this void for children today.
The Spark
When Susanne was in school, it was largely “brainy” students who enrolled in hard science classes, like physics and chemistry, while most students received a cursory education in general science. Susanne has always regretted having a limited scientific education, and it is a point of pride that her daughter produces Sid the Science Kid, a PBS television show aimed at teaching science to preschool children. Everyday her daughter works to engage young children and build their interest in science to avoid the possibility of losing them as future students. SDCDM wants to be the spark by which children become fascinated with science, and give them the confidence they need to succeed in the courses and studies that will set them on the path to being the next generation of scientists. Susanne’s goal is that every child who visits the Museum will understand how the world works upon adulthood.
A World Connected
The world has grown smaller since her childhood, and Susanne believe today’s children need to know, understand, and respect global cultures and traditions. It is important to appreciate the differences and celebrate the similarities. The Museum celebrates the diversity of world cultures through its exhibits, programs, and special events, while inviting families of every socio-economic background to explore, imagine, and experiment together. Susanne knows this unity and welcoming inclusion will result in the success and prosperity of our world.
One Child at a Time
As a Board Member, Susanne is thrilled to be on the “ground floor” and is committed to the original vision Javier presented so many years ago – to be the model community children’s museum providing access to authentic hands-on learning experience that develop the whole child, lifelong learners, and global citizens. She loves that staff use recycled materials to build exhibits, and that leadership genuinely stewards donations to benefit the children and families who visit the Museum daily. Susanne is proud to be part of a wonderful Board of Directors, some of whom have been actively involved in guiding the Museum’s development since its beginning as a 1,000 square foot storefront. She is grateful and appreciative of all the donors and supporters whose funding enable the Museum to fulfill its Access for All initiative and provide scholarships, memberships, and admission to Title One schools, low-income families, and active-duty military and veteran families.
With 12,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, Susanne is confident SDCDM will become a national role model for Children’s Museums and will make this world a better place, once child at a time.
Learn more about volunteering with SDCDM. Volunteers work in almost every area of the Museum. Some lead exhibit demonstrations and school workshops, while others assist with general operations, lead as Board of Directors, or serve as information ambassadors.