The Foundation's Board of Directors recently approved $41,505 in Program Grants funding to five nonprofit organizations in San Diego/Imperial County providing creative and innovative programs that enhance the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities (and their families).
Congratulations to our latest grantees: Arms Wide Open, Resounding Joy, San Diego Children's Discovery Museum, San Diego Regional Center, and Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego.
The FDD Board of Directors are excited about the impact these projects will have for people with developmental disabilities and their families in San Diego and Imperial Counties.
Arms Wide Open: The $7,500 in grant funding is supporting Arms Wide Open teaching artists, as well as the Arms Wide Open scholarship fund, helping individuals who would otherwise not be able to participate to take classes and perform as part of the casts. Arms wide open enriches the lives of individuals with special needs throughout San Diego County by fostering caring social environments and creating opportunities for recreation and participation in the arts.
Resounding Joy: The $15,000 grant to Resounding Joy will support their Shine and Sing Music Therapy Program, where music therapists meet the needs of medically resilient children and their families through active music making, singing, dancing, storytelling and play. Outcomes include improving the quality of life, developing speech and language ability, motor skills, emotional expression and family cohesion.
San Diego Children's Discovery Museum: This $10,000 grant will support the Children's Discovery Museum's Sensory Friendly Sundays program, available on the first and third Sundays of the month. These mornings are geared towards families with children on the spectrum or with sensory sensitivities. The goal of the program is to create a welcoming, comfortable environment for children with developmental disabilities and their families to enjoy the museum in a quiet and accepting setting.
San Diego Regional Center: This $2,005 grant will support the Spanish Parent Support Group, North County. The Spanish Parent Support Group provides parents a safe space for parents of children with developmental disabilities to share their personal experiences, feelings, coping strategies, and create a support system that will help them develop a sense of empowerment.
Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego: The $7,000 grant to SNRFSD will support the ShopAble program. The grant provides funding to help promote and grow ShopAble, and also encourages inclusion and the idea that all people have agency in the community. ShopAble is a list of businesses owned by people with disabilities or chronic medical conditions. Purchasing products and services from business owners with disabilities allows them to achieve independence and self-reliance to support the ShopAble Program.
