Resources > Client Spotlight
This quarter’s Client Spotlight features: Ocean Institute
The Ocean Institute, founded in 1977, is a community-based 501(c)(3) organization that educates 100,000 children, teachers, parents, and visitors annually through over 30 marine science and maritime history programs. We are located on 2.4 acres in the Dana Point Harbor; adjacent to a Marine Protected Area. The facility is an ocean education center that offers in-depth Marine Science and Maritime History education.
The Institute includes state-of-the-art teaching labs, the spectacular Maddie James Seaside Learning Center, a historic tall ship, and an oceanographic research vessel. Immersion-based field trips range from one-hour science labs to multi-day programs at sea. All programs are designed to maximize immersion, spark curiosity, and inspire a deep commitment to learning.
For more information about Ocean Institute, please visit them at: oceaninstitute.org
Previous Client Spotlight: KidWorks
KidWorks was founded in 1993 by Larry Acosta, a youth pastor, and his wife, Jayme, a school teacher. It began as summer Bible clubs and mentoring groups in under-served neighborhoods of Santa Ana. In 1996, our first community center opened in a tiny, one-room apartment on Townsend Street as a safe haven for children and youth.
From the beginning, KidWorks recruited college students to live and serve in the community. Our Executive Director, David Benavides, was one of the first students to volunteer. His time with KidWorks began with an eight-week program that changed his life, and ours, forever.
Since 1993, KidWorks has grown into a vibrant community development non-profit with a presence in several neighborhoods of central Santa Ana. We serve youth and families through a licensed preschool, after-school programs, tutoring, mentoring, college and career readiness, family services, and leadership development.
For more information about KidWorks, please visit them at: kidworksoc.org
Previous Client Spotlight: ʻAha Pūnana Leo
The ʻAha Pūnana Leo received the world’s first indigenous Hawaiian language preschool accreditation by the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC) for its early education program conducted through an endangered and indigenous language. With this international recognition, the ʻAPL continues its work towards setting indigenous education standards and establishing accreditation practices of native programs worldwide, in the country, and here in Hawaiʻi.
Our Kula Kamaliʻi program currently serves over 300 children at 13 Pūnana Leo sites across the state, of which 93% are Native Hawaiian. The entire curriculum is held in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.
For more information about ʻAha Pūnana Leo, please visit them at: ahapunanaleo.org
