Therese Caballes
Janet Francis
Welcome Message
from President, Therese Caballes and Executive Director, Janet Francis
Dear Friends and Supporters:
As we reflect on this past year, we are filled with immense gratitude for our community’s unwavering commitment as we work together to support our schools and the educational goals and future aspirations of all students. Providing educational resources for programs that support EastLake public schools is ensuring students can succeed in a technology-driven world.
Investing the time, talents, and resources of generous residents, businesses, civic organizations, and volunteers makes our mission possible. Through the tireless efforts of our staff, volunteers, and generous supporters, we have executed initiatives that empower students to thrive academically and personally. Together, we are making strides in creating opportunities that change lives.
The Eastlake Educational Foundation (EEF) granted almost $3,500,000 to neighborhood schools since established in 1995. In 2022 and 2023, the EEF granted $145,000 in direct financial support for technology and innovation investments. In addition to our annual Technology Grants, EEF’s recent work includes the Teacher Innovation Grants, STEAMing Ahead, Eastlake Alumni & Friends, the Eastlake +, A Positive Podcast, scholarships, and real-world work experience for students through paid internships.
Collectively, the total impact to the community in 2022 and 2023 was over XX. None of this would be possible without you, our friends and supporters. Whether through financial contributions, volunteering your time, or advocating for our cause, your commitment to EEF’s mission has enabled us to continue our important work. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to fostering an environment where every student, regardless of background, can achieve their full potential.
Thank you for being a vital part of our journey as we continue to support technology, innovation, and STEAM education in EastLake schools, ensuring students can succeed in a technology-driven world.
Board of Directors
2022 – 2023
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Elaine Elefante-Leano
President
Ian Burgar
Vice President
Therese Caballes
Treasurer
Rachel Garrett
Secretary
DIRECTORS
Camille Bruno
Giovanna Castro
Debbie Fisher
Salim French
Victor Ibarra
Lillian Leopold
Gloria McKearney
Michael Minjares
Jesus “Leo” Ulloa-Higuera
Brian Sinclair
Staff
Janet Francis, Executive Director
Maria Ortiz, Program & Development Coordinator
Dustin Tran, Communications Specialist
Digital Arts Student Interns
Natalia Thayer • 2024-2025
Isabella Aspili • 2024-2025
Lawson Soukup • 2024-2025
Lucas Nguyen • 2023-2024
Lilly Bertrand • 2023-2024
Natalia Arvizu • 2023-2024
Michelle Baumgarten • 2022-2023
Mia Marquez • 2022-2023
Rebecca Cuadraparra • 2022-2023
Baron Castanares • 2021-2022
2023 – 2024
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Therese Caballes
President
Jesus “Leo” Ulloa
Vice President
Giovanna Castro
Treasurer
Rachel Garrett
Secretary
Elaine Elefante-Leano
Immediate Past President
DIRECTORS
Heather Daud Rubio
Melanie Brown, Ed.D.
Camille Bruno
Salim French
Mariana Hughes
Lillian Leopold
Michael Minjares
Brian Sinclair
Antonio Villar
Staff
Janet Francis, Executive Director
Maria Ortiz, Program & Development Coordinator
Dustin Tran, Communications Specialist
Mission
In collaboration with the community, the EastLake Educational Foundation provides educational resources for programs that support EastLake public schools, ensuring students can succeed in a technology-driven world.
Vision
The EastLake Educational Foundation believes that children with equal access to technology today will unleash the genius and innovation the world needs tomorrow.
Financials
Non-Profit Tax ID: #33-0678106
Mailing Address: PO Box #210004 • Chula Vista, CA 91921
Office Address: Eastlake High School • 1120 EastLake Parkway, Chula Vista, CA 91915
Balance Sheet 2022
ASSETS
Bank Accounts: $36,386
Fixed Assets: $0
J.G. Boswell Endowment: $1,057,426
Total Assets: $ 1,093,711.80
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Unrealized Gains/Loss: $334,429.43
Unrestricted New Assets: $777,694.22
Total Equity: $1,093,711.80
Total Liabilities and Equity: $1,093,711.80
Balance Sheet 2023
ASSETS
Bank Accounts: $ 59,985
Fixed Assets: $2,299
J.G. Boswell Endowment: $1,131,623
Total Assets: $1,193,908
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Unrealized Gains/Loss: $425,024
Unrestricted New Assets: $759,398
Total Equity: $1,193,908.00
Total Liabilities and Equity: $1,193,908.00
Programs
Overview
The EEF’s innovation and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) programs include the annual Technology and Innovation Grants, Teacher Innovation Grants, and public STEAM events like the STEAM FAIR and the Summer STEAM CAMP. The EEF also supports after-school clubs focusing on STEAM themes like FIRST and VEX robotics.
Additionally, the EEF builds a stronger community through programs like EASTLAKE ALUMNI & FRIENDS, EASTLAKE+, A Positive Podcast, Forums, Internships, and Scholarships. These impactful programs provide essential support which lift and celebrate the community by enhancing K-12 public education.
Lastly, funding the mission is a year-round effort. The Come Together Campaign and Taste of EastLake are significant means for how EEF programs are made possible. We are incredibly grateful to all the donors and sponsors for supporting our work. We could not do it without you!
Thank you for your invaluable support and commitment. By investing in education, you are investing in the citizens, leaders, innovators, and change-makers of tomorrow.
“Public education gives kids an equal footing to greater opportunities in life. We are grateful for our partnership with the EEF.”
– Ricardo Cooke, Principal, Thurgood Marshall Elementary
Our Impact
Annual Technology Grants
The technology grants are the EEF’s longest-running program. Each year, grants are provided to seven EastLake schools, including Eastlake High, Eastlake Middle, Eastlake Elementary, Olympic View, Salt Creek, Arroyo Vista, and Thurgood Marshall, benefiting 10,000+ students and educators.
Typically, schools receive $10,000 – $20,000+ each for technology hardware, educational software, professional development, and STEAM programming. Additionally, the EEF also provides funding for projects at a school that would significantly affect the community, like the recent upgrade of the Astronomy Center at Eastlake High School. This center is an exceptional resource but has been sitting idle since 2016. With the EEF’s financial help, the astronomy center is now fully operational and used daily for astronomy classes.
“Quote will go right here.”
– Eric Swenson, Astronomy Teacher, Eastlake High School
Teacher Innovation Grants
The Teacher Innovation Grants program has brought value-added programs to the classroom. In the first two years of this program, the EEF provided grants to 48 teachers. These grants funded all their ideas, including field trips, hardware and tools, and software for instruction in core subject areas.
“We are grateful for the grant we received, which provided a new Listening Center that helps with reading comprehension and math skills.”
– Claudia Espanoza, Salt Creek Elementary
STEAM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math)
The Steaming Ahead program provides opportunities for students to explore their interests in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. These programs can provide the engagement that sparks a student’s interest in future education goals and career opportunities. Partnerships are at the core of all we do. For example, for the past two years, the EEF has partnered with the Booz Allen Foundation, which has provided generous financial support for neighborhood STEAM programs like robotics, the community STEAM FAIR, and the new summer STEAM CAMP.
“Quote will go right here.”
– Joel Foust
Eastlake Alumni & Friends
Since the beginning of 2019, Eastlake Alumni & Friends has steadily grown to become an important piece of the fabric of the community with the first Steering Committee Chairwoman, Mariana Hughes. The collaboration between the EEF and Eastlake High has enhanced the educational experience for students by celebrating a shared history of Eastlake while fostering connections through events, forums, podcasts, and school resources.
CELEBRATION
30th Anniversary of Eastlake High School
Eastlake Alumni & Friend’s first big goal was to plan the celebrations for the 30th Anniversary of Eastlake High School. On August 13, 2022, celebrations began with a “LuWOW-style” open house. Alums and past educators returned to campus- many with their families and classmates. Hugs and enthusiastic greetings added to the festive day as teachers and students reunited. The student body put on a great show, which concluded with the school song being sung proudly by all. Attendees enjoyed viewing historical displays and flipping through copies of past yearbooks. Long-time principal Stan Canaris and long-time teacher Heather Wood were named the HOCO King and Queen for the event.
Later that evening, the celebration continued at a sold-out social gathering held at NOVO Brazil.
« (photo) EHS Alumni Katya Echazarreta peers into space when she visits the EHS astronomy center during the 30th Year Celebration and Open House. In 2022, Space for Humanity selected Katya as one of the first citizen astronauts to be rocketed into space. She traveled on the NS-21 Blue Origin mission.
“The 30th Anniversary celebration was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the deep roots and connections that have grown in our community over the last 30 years. We have a past to celebrate and a bright future to look forward to!”
– Mariana Hughes, Teacher at Eastlake High School
Eastlake +, A Positive Podcast
Eastlake +, A Positive Podcast began in 2021 during the Pandemic to highlight all the good happening in the local education community. The podcast is recorded inside the EEF offices on the campus of Eastlake High School. The community benefits from podcasts by learning about current students, educators, and organizations making a positive difference. The EEF has three channels: Spotlight Education, Career in Focus, and Titan Talk.
Put Eastlake +, A Positive Podcast, into your podcast search field to tune into episodes. To preview the podcast video, you can also select the “V” Vimeo link on eefkids.org (at the top of the landing page next to the other social media icons).
Internships
The EEF provides paid internships for three to four high school students each semester. These students gain real-world work experience from professional communication experts Mario Sevilla, Michael Minjares, Lillian Leopold, and Giovanna Castro. Students learn how to manage the podcast studio and recordings. Students also support community functions and school events.
FUND RAISING
Taste of Eastlake
After a two-year break (due to the Pandemic), Taste of Eastlake returned with help from Eastlake Alumni & Friends. The community was excited for the return of this celebrated event, which was held at the Enagic Golf Course. In response to the event’s growth, in 2024, Taste of Eastlake moved to the Chula Vista Elite Training Center, where we had our biggest year ever.
Come Together Community Campaign
Each year, we ask our community to invest in the future of our students by supporting programs that advance future-forward schools. EEF initiated the Come Together Campaign in 2020. Through the generosity of our local businesses, non-profits, and community members, we have sustained our support for the schools despite dramatic swings in the economy. We appreciate all our donors and invite the entire community to give what they can to help our schools and neighborhood children succeed. Add a sentence about how much was raised.
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