15 teachers awarded credit union grants

DOWNEY – Downey Federal Credit Union awarded $8,750 in grants to 15 Downey educators on Dec. 8, part of their 2015 Student Enrichment Grant Program. 

DFCU has provided almost $100,000 in grants to educators over the past 13 years.
The grants cover the cost of programs, supplies, and training to improve the educational experience, in and out of the classroom, for students. 

This year’s winning submissions included a girls’ empowerment club, transitional kindergarten and kindergarten reading programs, a nationwide robotics competition, international food cooking supplies to enhance world history and world geography classes, supplies for a tile mural for the school, and much more.

“We continue to be impressed with the creative and innovative grant submissions we receive each year,” said Sheila Tetangco, DFCU’s director of marketing and communications. “It’s exciting to provide grants that will enhance the learning experience of Downey students. We know that it is the dedication and drive of these teachers that make the schools in the City of Downey one of the best in the state. 

"Originally founded by a group of teachers, our partnership with Downey Unified School District has been a long-term relationship. DFCU supports, and will continue to support, Downey educators. 

“Our Student Enrichment Grants are just another way DFCU gives back to the community we serve.”

Grants were awarded in amounts ranging from $250 to $1,000 to:

Annabel Guerrero – district office
Alan Jamka – Downey HS
Ana Godinez – Lynn Pace Elementary
Charlotte Rippel – EW Ward Elementary
Christina Carlson – Downey HS
Erin Hanohano – Warren HS
Anne Honeybourne (awarded two grants) – OLPH
Jocelyn Reppert – Gallatin Elementary
Nekane Erro – Sussman Middle School
Nathan Harris – Downey HS
Carrie Redfox – Doty Middle School
Debbie Dominik – Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Glenn Yamasaki – Downey HS
Jason Redfox – Downey HS

“The DFCU Student Enrichment Grant will enable the DHS robotics team to compete in Las Vegas on the international stage against teams from countries like China, Brazil, and Germany, to name a few,” said Glenn Yamasaki. 

Carrie Redfox of Doty Middle School said the grant will allow her campus club to expand. 
“The generous Student Enrichment Grant gifted to me from the DFCU, will allow my club,

“Power Up,” the opportunity to grow its numbers and continue empowering middle school girls with age appropriate curriculum, games, crafts and activities,” Redfox said. 

“The social world for our girls has become a more stressful and challenging environment than ever before. The rise in peer pressure, competitive conflicts, and unhealthy social media messages are all likely contributors to national increases in anxiety and low self-esteem in girls. “Power Up” offers middle school girls an educational approach to improving decision making, developing coping resources and increasing self-esteem.”