Monday, February 10, 2025

Transformative Project Gets Major Boost

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Sometimes a single action can be a catalyst for a dream becoming a reality. The State of California’s Award of $2.5M for the River Center at Grant Park project was certainly a big boost for a decade-long effort. The award was a major step in the $11.64M fundraising effort to create an innovative nature learning lab along the San Diego River in Mission Valley.

When Assemblymember Chris Ward presented a ceremonial check to The San Diego River Park Foundation’s Board Chair, Michael Schneider, and CEO, Rob Hutsel, those in attendance broke out in applause. “It is a transformative gift and a huge step closer to fulfilling the commitment we made more than a decade ago to create a place where people, especially kids, could connect with the San Diego River,” shared Rob Hutsel.

The dream started when the Grant Family decided to donate a 17-acre property they owned in Mission Valley to The San Diego River Park Foundation. The Grant Family has remained the project’s biggest champion. Members of the family remember what it was like growing up in San Diego and being able to play along and in the river, and they wanted kids to have the same experience. Many others have joined in to advance this exciting project. The facility will be a place where the River Park Foundation’s long history of conducting research and caring for the river and natural areas will be utilized to create meaningful youth learning experiences. These hands-on experiences will engage 10,000 students annually with Grant Parks’ nature as a field lab for STEM-based learning.
Shortly after the check presentation, it was announced that the Grant Family would match up to $200,000 in donations to launch the final phase of fundraising and inspire others to join them in making a gift.

https://sandiegoriver.org

Danitza Villanueva
Danitza Villanueva
Danitza Villanueva was born in San Diego but spent her youth with her family in Tijuana and grew up on both sides of the border. She has transferred her unique insight of cross-border culture, trends and philanthropy to her business and community interests. Danitza is the first woman from her family to graduate from college. She has two degrees, one from Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Fashion Marketing, and a second from San Diego Christian College in Communications. After starting GB Magazine with Esteban Villanueva in 2007, she has gone on to win awards and recognition from the community for her support of helping raise millions of dollars for non-profit organizations. Currently she resides in East County in San Diego where she and her husband Esteban run DAESVI Publishing, home to GB Magazine, among several other publications.

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