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ISycuan Casino Resort Supports Community Garden Initiative
n mid January, Sycuan Casino Resort presented $5,000 to Second Chance in support of their Community Garden Initiative. Second Chance is headquartered in Encanto, a
Southeast San Diego neighborhood that has struggled to help its residents thrive. Unfortunately, access to healthy food continues to plague this community.
For this reason, the Second Chance Youth Garden has served as a convenient source for fresh produce to Encanto families for the past 10 years. Produce has traditionally been sold and revenue sales have been re-invested into the program, creating a self-sustaining workforce readiness program for young adults aged 14-21.
Bill Payne, President and CEO of Second Chance stated “For more than 13 years our shared values have allowed Sycuan and Second Chance to create positive, social impact. We are once again honored and grateful to partner with Sycuan to ensure fresh produce is available to families in need in Southeast San Diego. The covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for access to healthy
food, which is a foundation from which we all can build ourselves up and thrive. Because of Sycuan’s recent support, individuals in our shared community will have access to fresh food grown right in their own neighborhood!”
Each year, more than 2,000 justice involved men, women and youth come to Second Chance seeking positive pathways to meaningful change. Second
TSan Manuel Tribe Gives $1 Million to Small Businesses
Chance offers specialized workforce readiness training, sober-living housing, educational programs and support services essential to achieving self- sufficiency. It also helps provide the training and resources necessary to break the cycle of recidivism, poverty and addiction. Services are based on established best practices in the field of behavioral health and training is designed to economically empower marginalized populations through positive career pathways. For more information and to learn how you can get involved, visit secondchanceprogram.org.
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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE MARCH 2021
he San Manuel Band of Mission Indians surprised 50 small businesses with $20,000 each in a virtual live stream event
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on January 29 . In collaboration with the Inland Empire
Economic Partnership (IEEP) the Tribe announced the San Manuel Cares $1 Million Small Business Relief Fund. The Tribe was inspired to support small businesses based in their ancestral territory that have been devastated by the impact of covid-19.
The selected businesses represent industries hardest hit by the pandemic, such as restaurants, personal care services, and others deemed “non-essential” yet critical to the region’s economic recovery. The 50 business owners were invited to a virtual event where San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman Ken Ramirez made the surprise announcement that each of them would receive a $20,000 grant.
During the event, Chairman Ramirez said,“We all look forward to the day when you can fully reopen your doors for good and welcome your customers back. Until then, you have a hand up from San Manuel to cover expenses and keep your employees on the payroll.”
Qualifying businesses were selected in part because of their commitment to their communities on the Tribe’s ancestral lands, spanning the San Bernardino valley, up the San Bernardino Mountains and outward to the High Desert.
The financial grants will provide the business owners assistance in paycheck protection to fund their current workforce, and cash flow assistance to cover operational expenses, debt relief and business improvements.
“Our San Manuel Cares team contacted each of these 50 businesses to learn more about their hardships and find the best way to provide assistance,” said Ramirez.“I hope that what we do here today prompts others to do the same;
support your local small businesses, give as much as you can, and do your part to keep our communities and economy thriving.”
Paul Granillo, President and CEO of IEEP, set the stage for the announcement by sharing the devastating effects the pandemic has had on the Inland Empire economy, noting that almost 50% of the small businesses in the Inland Empire reported a large negative effect from the covid-19 pandemic.
Confetti cannons popped as San Manuel Chairman Ramirez presented $20,000 to three selected representatives of the fund recipients: Jovi’s Diner, Mi Cocina, and Viva La Boba. The three owners joined the socially distanced event and cheered with the others that participated via Zoom or tuned in with family, friends and customers via livestream.
March 2021 Tribes in the News