MLB-DDA

Ever since John Moores and his family assumed stewardship of the San Diego Padres in December 1994, active participation in the community has been at the heart of the franchise's working philosophy and philanthropy. Padres' players, staff, management and ownership understand the importance of giving of themselves – their time, energy, and creativity – as well as of their financial resources. The Padres' ongoing participation in the community has included major initiatives in education, youth recreation and health, as well as support of thousands of charitable and community organizations in both California and Baja Norté Mexico, and in the communities of its Minor League affiliates.

The Dominican Republic is no exception to the Padres’ outreach philosophy. As soon as plans were in place to construct a new Dominican baseball training facility, the Padres explored concurrently a number of options to assist local communities in close proximity to the facility site.

EDUCATION/SCHOOL OUTREACH TO DATE

The first step of a commitment to the communities in the province of San Cristobal has been to contribute to the improvement of public education in the primary grades at Escuela la Playa in the town of Najayo. Through a collaborative effort mounted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), Ciccone Construction, ENTRENA, Dominican NGOs, and Padres employees, the club has helped underwrite teacher training (focusing on interactive teaching skills), provided students with effective learning techniques, created reading “corners,” and improved the physical conditions and basic infrastructure of Najayo’s schools. The club’s initial effort at Escuela La Playa has produced a significant increase in student attendance – from 400-plus students in 2007, to well over 600 students during the 2008 school year.

LOOKING FORWARD

Sustaining our efforts in the Dominican by forging lasting partnerships with NGOs, civic groups and businesses will help ensure the long-term success of our efforts. Accordingly, reinforcing and then building on our program at Escuela la Playa in 2009 and beyond remains a priority for the Padres’ organization.

In addition, there are a number of programs the Padres are considering for implementation in the next year including but not limited to: 1) Establishing a series of Espacios para Crecer (EpCs) near and in Najayo, thereby extending the school day and learning experience; 2) Offering additional training and professional options for Najayo’s teachers; 3) Creating “Advanced Placement” classes for a select group of high-achieving learners from Najayo, with classes hosted at the Padres’ classrooms at the new baseball complex; 4) Providing a comprehensive educational and life skills “orientation” program for signed Latin American players residing at the Padres complex. In addition, these players will be encouraged to do good works in the neighboring communities, thereby becoming role models.

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

Representing the Dominican Republic

1. Kellee Brown – Harvard Law School; Director of Social Responsibility, American Chamber of Commerce
2. Melba Segura de Grullon – Director of SurFuturo; wife of the CEO of Banco Popular, Dominican Republic
3. Mario Emilio Guerrero – Sports journalist, Dominican Republic
4. Aida Consuelo Hernandez – Vice President and Director, EDUCA; Special Advisor to President Léonel Fernandez
5. Raffy Paz – Pastor, Iglesia Cristiana Palabras de Vida; leader of a number of youth development programs
6. Dr. Domingo Pichardo – Board member, Licey
7. Alejandro Porcella – Prominent businessman
8. John Seibel – Consultant, Major League Baseball; ENTRENA
9. Saschia Seibel – ENTRENA

Representing San Diego

1. Victor Canto – a Dominican Republic native and economist; resides in both Santo Domingo and San Diego, California
2. Bobbi DePorter – founder and director of Quantum Learning, Oceanside, California
3. Sue Botos – Director, Padres Foundation, San Diego Padres
4. Jeremy Horowitz – Associate Counsel, San Diego Padres
5. Tim Katzman – Director Corporate Communications, San Diego Padres
6. Katie Pothier – Executive Vice President/General Counsel, San Diego Padres