Education group looking for a ride

Some of Huntington Beach’s underprivileged children may be forced to stay at home this summer due to a shortfall in funding.

El Viento Foundation, which helps children who come from the low-income neighborhood of Oak View, is looking for community sponsors that can help cover the $30,000 cost for the transportation needed to keep the summer program alive.

For years, the Coast Community College District has worked in close partnership with El Viento by providing children with transportation. This year, the college district is faced with budget cuts, which may reduce the amount of money it sends to El Viento.

“We are really trying to think outside the box,” said El Viento’s executive director, Zayda Garcia, about the foundation’s effort to search for alternative funding.

Fortunately, the community has begun to reach out as the Huntington Beach Union High School District recently donated two vans, each holding up to nine passengers, to El Viento.

However, 18 seats are not enough to transport more than 100 students to and from program destination sites, Garcia said. She said that while some events are within walking distance, many other activities will be too far by foot, such as sailing in Newport Beach.

The college district is still planning its budget and will not know until the end of the month whether there is enough to fund El Viento’s transportation needs.

The program begins in June and goes through the end of July. Depending on age groups, children will spend their weeks swimming, sailing, visiting the Tiger Woods Learning Center, attending water polo camp or visiting college preparation camp.

El Viento is an educational outlet for underprivileged children in fourth through 12th grades who have maintained a grade point average of 2.0 or higher. The programs are provided at no cost for Oak View families, and parents are asked to volunteer and stay active within the foundation.

“There are other after-school programs available for these kids, but they charge money,” Garcia said. “Five dollars here and $5 there can really add up for these families.”

Call (714) 892-7711, ext. 55236 or visit www.elviento.org.