6.15.11
|
|
 |
SDPCA's programs support our goals. These include supporting overseas projects being carried out by current Peace Corps Volunteers who are from the San Diego area, and supporting peace and global well being through the understanding of the San Diego community of the people we experienced during our own Peace Corps service.
SDPCA programs include an International Support Fund, the new Domestic Program Fund, Fundraising for those two activities, and a Speakers' Bureau. Each year, the funds we raise are awarded, with first priority to the International Support Fund as current volunteers send in proposals in the spring. Later in the year, if funds are available, we make awards to San Diego area organizations. The Speakers' Bureau can provide speakers throughout the year.
The San Diego Peace Corps Association has over 135 members. As a community of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers the SDPCA raises funds in order to support a variety of projects both overseas and locally.
Each year the SDPCA raises monies through membership dues, selling Entertainment Coupon Books and Madison RPCVs International Calendars, holding silent auctions and a wide variety of social gatherings.
The Board has chosen to allocate these funds as follows:
First priority will be given to funding proposals through the Mark J. Tonner International Support Fund (ISF). We can often make a greater difference with small amounts and assist today’s volunteers. Typically, projects of $300 to $500 have upgraded village clinics, infrastructure and provided the seed money for new businesses.
Second priority will be given to funding Project Mini-Grants or Awards to other 501(c)3 organizations in the San Diego area for proposals that best satisfy our organization's goals.
For
more information about our Fundraising Programs use the
MORE link below or send an email to 
.
( 2013 Calendars, 2013 Entertainment Books & SDPCA t-shirts )
Mark J. Tonner International Support Fund
This fund was created to support projects for Peace Corps Volunteers from the San Diego area who are currently serving overseas.
While RPCV Chris Tonner was serving on the SDPCA board, her brother Mark returned from his own Peace Corps tour in Thailand. Based in San Diego, he was back only briefly before being lost at sea, monitoring dolphin protection procedures. The nature of the circumstances were troubling, and to demonstrate our respect for his service and early passing, the International Support Fund (ISF) was renamed the Mark J. Tonner ISF.
We have discovered that by funding small projects we are able to make a big impact in local communities. We review submitted proposals and grant small dollar funding to PCVs who we feel have a valuable project for their community, but do not have adequate funding in-country.
The typical project is for $250 to $350 (rarely more than $700) and either enables a community to implement a micro-enterprise, helping many, or it supports needed educational, environmental or health related projects.
Since
1988, 135 grants have been made. Below shows how many
projects and grant totals by region as of August 2011. See
Complete Grant List
For 2010-11, so far, we have awarded 7 grants to PCVs from San Diego, as follows:
- Dantania Latrines
Kara West—Nicaragua, $500 - Reposteria La Esperanza - Bakery Project
Simon Breen—Nicaragua, $532 - Family Garden Project
Heide Bruckner—Honduras, $500 - Hammock Project
Laura Kelleher—El Salvador, $432 - Community Library Project
Justin Hichcock—Dominican Republic, $500 - Camp CACTUS
Elizabeth Robles—Ukraine, $500 - St Augustine School Library
Jesica Antonel—Cameroon, $500
For 2008-09, we awarded 4 grants to PCVs from San Diego, as follows [see July-August 2009 Newsletters for more details]:
- Trash Cans for San Lorenzo
Neal Larkin—El Salvador, $528 - Malosa Community-based Oil-Making Incom Generating Project
Erin Clark—Malawi, $392 - Vocational Training Center for Women and Youth
Robert Alvarez —El Salvador , $499 - Honey from Celaque Bee-Keeping Network
Bryce Norton—Honduras, $556
For 2007-08, we awarded 7 grants to PCVs from San Diego, as follows [see June-July 2008 & September-October 2008 Newsletters for more details]:
- Turtle Conservation Project
Cassandra Burdyshaw —Panama, $350 - Gardening Equipment
Jonathon Fu —Cameroon, $300 - Women's Sheepand Goat Microfinance
Chave Nurenberg —Niger, $485 - Lusungu Community Project
Angela Glenn —Zambia, $421 - Mwala Basic School Dictonary Drive
Koh Tanimoto —Zambia, $300 - Santa Paula Elementary and Middle School Roofing Project
Robert Alvarez —El Salvador , $504 - Community Environmental Resource Center
Emily LeCuyer —The Philippines, $400
Like all Peace Corps projects, we encourage local shared funding or in-kind contributions. Additionally, we feel it is desirable to have PCVs remain on site for at least six months or so after receiving funds. This helps ensure the funded project is implemented properly. Each recipient is also asked to provide the SDPCA with at least one progress report during implementation, and a final report outlining what was done and how it has impacted the community.
To
submit a request for funding:
Download and print out our Acrobat PDF form View
Form
If you would like more information about the Mark J. Tonner
International Support Fund contact our ISF Chairperson
by email at 
,
or write to:
Mark J. Tonner International Support Fund Chairperson
San Diego Peace Corps Association
PO Box 26565
San Diego, CA 92126-0565 USA
The new Local Project Mini-Grants will provide small grants to support projects by San Diego area nonprofit organizations, including school or church groups that are part of a larger nonprofit organization. These projects should support SDPCA goals, particularly bringing the world back home. It is expected that each year several grants ranging from $200 to $400 will be made.
A proposal (2 pages) is to be for a specific project rather than ongoing expenses or general support. Include the following:
- Describe the specific project
- Show what results and outcomes are to be achieved
- Indicate time frame for achieving results (within two years)
- Provide a budget for the project
Short proposals for projects will be made through an SDPCA member by the requesting organization. Proposals will be due each year by December 10. Project mini-grants will be selected by February of each year, to be awarded at our Annual Meeting in May
Please download and use our application form (Acrobat .pdf format)
SDPCA is sponsoring the Global Awareness Award to honor an organization. SDPCA members may nominate organizations which carry out work consistent with SDPCA goals. This Award will be selected by May of each year, to be awarded at our Annual Meeting.
Global Awareness Awards:
- May
2012: Help For Schools
In recognition of the work of Help For Schools, in Oceanside, an organization that builds schools in Guatemala. Edwin Villela, President of Help for Schools accepted the award. The non-profit organization created for the purpose of collecting funds and channeling them toward the construction and improvement of school buildings, primarily in rural areas. Help For Schools works through FUPEGUA.org in Guatemala.
- 2010 and 2011: No awards made.
- May
2009: Survivors of Torture
In recognition of the work of Survivors of Torture, Charlene Peña (RPCVKazakhstan, 2005-07) accepted the award. Survivors of Torture, International is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for survivors of politically motivated torture and their families who live in San Diego County.
- May
2008: The Bookman
In recognition of Irwin Herman and volunteers of The Bookman. The Bookman's mission is to get books into the hands of any person who wants them: schools, and groups locally and through out the world: more than eight million books to all states and 70 countries.
- May
2007: One World, Our World (1WOW)
In recogniton of One World, Our World (1WOW) program that teaches leadership, tolerance and conflict resolution while engaging students (K-12) in a Global Assembly.
- May
2006: International
Rescue Committee
In recogniton of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) San Diego. The IRC assists refugees who have been legally admitted to the United States to rebuild their lives after suffering through war, violence, and often years in a refugee camp.
- May
2005: Peace
Resource Center
Carol Jahnkow– In recognition of the Peace Resource Center of San Diego. The Center is a community clearinghouse of information on peace and social justice issues and activities. It was founded in 1980 by six local organizations committed to peace, and now has over 40 organizations and hundreds of individuals working in it.
- May
2004: Snow
Goose Global Thanksgiving
Victor Villaseñor– A writer, author, man of peace, honored for the Snow Goose Global Thanksgiving, a festival he started 14 years ago celebrated now worldwide–A one-day-a-year event where we the people come together to celebrate and practice World Peace and Harmony.
SDPCA members may make Award nominations to honor an organization which carries out work consistent with SDPCA's goals. A nomination of about one page length should describe the following:
- What is the organization, and its activities.
- What results have the organization and its members achieved recently or over the last two years.
- What makes the organization and its members worthy of recognition.
Please download and use our application form (Acrobat .pdf format)
For
more information, please contact 
or write to:
SDPCA President
P.O. Box 26565
San Diego, CA, 92196 USA
Community Action and One-Day Events
Our community action chair person is constantly looking for single day projects that can excite our membership into participation, usually for a Saturday. Past events include Habitat for Humanity, Beach Clean-up, Los Ninos, working with refugees from Somalia, working with orphans and at-risk youth and more.
The Community Action Committee has proposed that the SDPCA selects one project each month and we ask that EACH member commit to participating in at least one of our monthly projects each year. Our goal is to build camaraderie while engaging the SDPCA more visibly and actively in the community. Since January 2004:
- BOARD 2007-08
- May 17, 2008: Collect Donations for SD Humane Society Collecting donations of items for the Hman Society's Animal Rescue center.
- May 17, 2008: Adopt-A-House Project Working to renovate homes of families in need sin SD.
- April 19, 2008: Work with St Luke's Refugee Network
- March 8, 2008: Helping San Diego Audubon Society Work Party Improving nesting habitat of California Least Tern in Chula Vista
- December 6 & 15, 2007: Handing out Holiday Shopping Baskets
- December 1, 2007: Collecing Holiday Shopping Basket Donations
- June 3, 2007: 6th
Year SDPCA mans Water Station for Rock'n'Roll Marathon
for Leukemia
Help with water station of the run - BOARD 2006-07
- May 26,
2007: 11th Work Party to Construct SD Friends'Center
with SD Peace Resource Center.
Help with construction expanding the center - March 24 ,
2007: 10h Work Party to Construct SD Friends'Center
with SD Peace Resource Center.
Help with construction expanding the center - February 16, 2007: Dramatic Reading-Black History Month: "Ain't Your Life Worth Saving?"
- January 20,
2007: 9th Work Party to Construct SD Friends'Center
with SD Peace Resource Center.
Help with construction expanding the center - December
10, 2006 School Supplies Drive.
Collecting school supplies for schools in Tijuana, Mexico - October 14 ,
2006: 8th Work Party to Construct SD Friends'Center
with SD Peace Resource Center.
Help with construction expanding the center - September 23 , 2006: Special Olympics Soccer and Tennis Tournament
- July
22,
2006: 7th Work Party to Construct SD Friends'Center
with SD Peace Resource Center.
Help with construction expanding the center - June
4, 2006: Staffing Water Table at 9th Annual
Rock-n-Roll Marathon–
Fifth year of SDPCA participation. To raise money for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - BOARD 2005-06
- May
20 ,
2006: 6th Work Party to Construct SD Friends'Center
with SD Peace Resource Center.
Help with construction expanding the center - April 1,
2006: 5th Work Party to Construct SD Friends'Center
with SD Peace Resource Center.
Help with construction expanding the center - January
21, 2006: 4th Work Party to Construct SD Friends' Center with SD
Peace Resource Center.
Help with construction expanding the center - December
10, 2005 Saturday: Katrina Relief Fund Drive at Annual Holiday
Party
Collect monies to donate to Katrina families settled here in SD area from New Orlelans. - November
19, 2005: Third Work Party to Construct SD Friends'
Center with SD Peace Resource Center.
Help with construction expanding the center - October
22, 2005: Screening of Invisible Children Documentary–
Screening of documentary film about children of Uganda kidnapped and forced into militias forces as armed soldiers. To raise awareness and monies to help fight it - September
10, 2005: Second Work Party to Construct SD Friends' Center with SD
Peace Resource Center–
Help with construction expanding the center - July
30, 2005: Work Party to Construct SD Friends' Center with SD Peace Resource
Center–
Help with construction expanding the center - June
5, 2005: Staffing Water Table at 8th Annual Rock-n-Roll
Marathon–
Fourth year of SDPCA participation. To raise money for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - BOARD 2004-05
- February
28 to March 6, 2005–PC Week: Speaking to School Classes-
Share experiences with school children, organized through Peace Match Program of NPCA - December
4, 2004: Gather
Supplies for Bantu Refugee Families–
Gathering supplies through International Rescue Committee (IRC) of SD - September
25, 2004: Helping with Special Olympic Events–
Referees & Organizers - September 18, 2004: 15th Annual SD Heart Fund Walk
- June
6, 2004: Staffing Water Table at Suzuki Rock-n-Roll Marathon–
To raise money for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - BOARD 2003-04
- May 2004: Setting Up a Somali Bantu Refugee Family in SD
- April 17, 2004: Kitchen Crew at St Vincent De Paul's
- January
17, 2004: San Diego Firestorm Restoration effort–
Our first sponsored event in several years was to assist in the fire recovery effort by filling sandbags in Harbison Canyon. Filling sandbags was likely one of the more physically strenuous projects we’ll undertake. It was also urgently needed as San Diego entered its rainy season after the fires destroyed ground cover.
Do
you have such an event that we can help? Call us at (619)
491-1801 to suggest, or e-mail our chairperson at 
.
Remember to visit our event calendar
page for currently planned projects.
Each year the San Diego Peace Corps Association helps sponsor a "Peace Essay Contest" coordinated by the Peace Resource Center. Ask for details at prcsandiego@igc.org.
Formando
Puentes - Building Bridges
San Diego to Tijuana Binational Volunteer Support
Since our inception in 1988, the SDPCA has initiated and helped to coordinate four conferences attended by hundreds of representatives of volunteer groups, Non-Governmental Organizations, and others who are actively serving on both sides of the border. Our objective in this effort has been to improve the networking and quality of activity in the volunteer community.
Many returned Peace Corps Volunteers are willing to share their experiences with local groups including schools and community organizations in the San Diego area. There is no cost to your organization for a speaker. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers can discuss a number of different topics, ranging from their work as a teacher, small business developer, environment or agriculture advisor, nurse, health and nutrition community worker, and so forth.
Speakers can also discuss topics such as everyday life as a volunteer, a country's foods, cultures, geography, or languages. We may not always be able to provide a speaker on a specific country or topic, but will try to find a speaker who is acquainted with the region or general topic of interest.
SDPCA members have worked in Eastern Europe, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, and Africa. Some have returned very recently and others served in the Peace Corps a number of years ago. The Speakers' Bureau links an SDPCA member who has volunteered to take time off from work to speak to San Diego groups with the requesting group.
If you would like a returned Peace Corps volunteer to
speak at your school or community organization, please
contact us at 
.
