Notable Future Vision Projects

1992 –

Development of the current format of Leadership East County

1994 –

East County Economic Summit – A program for high school students which was taken over by the ECEDC

2000 –

El Cajon’s International Bicycle Gran Prix – A Multiyear event in El Cajon

2001 –

Electronic Signage for the East County Performing Arts Center – Promoting and raising money for the sign.

2002 –

Problems in Education – Infrastructure in Peril – Support of the November 2003 school-bond measure for the Grossmont High School District. It failed, but the group continued their support for the 2004 school bond measure that succeeded.

2003 –

Work Readiness Curriculum and Certificate of Employability, sponsored by the Grossmont High School District and the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce.

Transportation for After School Programs at the Boys and Girls Clubs – Use of school buses to make the clubs one of their after school bus stops.

2004 –

East County Trolley Day – a Celebration of Three Cities – Celebrations in La Mesa, El Cajon and Santee to celebrate the opening of the Green Line. A non-profit in each city received the remainder of the funds not used (over $4000 to each).

2005 –

Putt Fore Pets Golf Tournament – Raising money for vital equipment that is not covered by the normal budgeting process of the El Cajon Animal Shelter. It has now become the ACES foundation and fundraiser at Joan Embry’s and Wayne Pillsbury’s ranch.

What You Do to Children, They will Do to Society – Increasing attendance at school by using banners to make the parents aware of the date when school starts and public information on the importance of school attendance on public funding.

2006 –

El Cajon – The Right Place at the Right Time – Development of a DVD for the El Cajon Community Development Corp to use as a marketing tool.

Operation: Little House – Raising funds for the opening of Little House on Avocado. The fundraiser was planned and in process. The Cedar Fire postponed the event. The group was ready to reschedule, but internal problems at Little House have prevented it from doing so.

2007 –

Run with the Goose – A run for 200 children before the Mother Goose Parade – the winners ride in the parade that day.

2008 –

Mt Helix Nature Theater & Park – The marketing of Mt. Helix, including the HeART of Mt Helix event this summer.

Distributing the Vial of Life to East County Residents – The development of a promotional video to obtain funding (funded recently by the Grossmont Healthcare District) for 10,000 Vials of Life and emergency ID cards to distribute to seniors, disabled and those with health problems, through Senior Centers and Fire Departments.

2009 –

Got Food? – A thousand cards listing food resources (including additional resources) was developed, printed, and distributed to organizations which serve needy families in El Cajon.

Spreading Art, A Graffiti Abatement Program – This group (along with a professional mural painter and children from the East County Boys and Girls Club) painted a mural of flowers, over 200 feet long) along Highway 8 on the west side of El Cajon.

Vial of Life – This group did the preplanning for a fundraiser to obtain funds for 15,000 additional Vials of Live and emergency ID cards (see 2008). They also obtained a grant from the Grossmont Healthcare District for $10,000.

2010 –

Creating Entrepreneurship Partnerships between High Schools and the Business Community – Working with high school students in a Virtual Entrepreneurship class, this group created an ongoing mentor relationship between the class and the business community.

Promoting Youth Leadership in East County – This leadership development opportunity targeted seniors in the GUSD who had overcome adversity. The students submitted an essay or program, which could add value or make a physical improvement to their schools. Five students received scholarships and one school obtained funds for the improvement.

Community Need: Teaching English as a Second Language – This group made a DVD about the need for English and the need for tutors for the courses for individuals who speak Arabic, Chaldean and Spanish. They then worked on obtaining volunteers and locations to increase the number of classes in East County.

Communities Against Substance Abuse – CASA needed a missing piece to their program – a video to show middle school children, which would help them from becoming involved with drugs and substance abuse. The group made one, which is being used to help kids make good choices.