SCS Engineers, City Councilmember Todd Gloria Present Achievement Awards to Aquatic Adventures

Sept. 2, 2009 - PRLog -- San Diego, CA—SCS Engineers (SCS) and San Diego City Councilmember Todd Gloria presented Ocean Discovery Institute (formerly Aquatic Adventures) and Price Charities with achievement  awards at the environmental engineering firm’s annual open house on August 27. The event also served as a fund-raiser for Ocean Discovery Institute, which offers science  and environmental education programs to elementary through college students.

The awards honored the two nonprofit organizations for the significant roles they play in the City Heights neighborhood as it relates to education and community development.

“I have seen first-hand what Ocean Discovery Institute does in my neighborhood,” said City Councilmember Gloria, who represents District 3 and made the presentations on behalf of SCS Engineers. “If you want to see our next generation of engineers, just look to Ocean Discovery Institute.”

“Tonight’s recognition of Aquatic Adventures is the nexus of our environmental engineering work in City Heights and our long-standing relationship with Price Charities,” said Daniel E. Johnson, SCS Vice President and San Diego Operations Manager. “We are actively involved in City Heights redevelopment projects, ensuring a safe environment for future generations, and we can think of no better program to support for its important educational programs in the City Heights community than Ocean Discovery Institute.”

Shara Fisler, executive director of Ocean Discovery Institute, accepted the award for her organization.  “We are grateful for this award and your support as we expand our educational programs in City Heights over the next five years to include 20,000 students a year,” Fisler said. “We are connecting the whole City Heights community to science and conservation.”

Matthew Hervey, Community Development, Price Charities, accepted the award for his organization. “When Price Charities launched its City Heights Initiative to revitalize the inner-city community, the neighborhood was characterized by high crime and a poor quality of life,” Hervey said. “City Heights is now being transformed into a thriving, multi-ethnic community. SCS Engineers’ environmental services helps make that possible, and Ocean Discovery Institute, working with Price Charities, is helping to transform City Heights children into our leaders of tomorrow.”

Also attending the event were four students from the Ocean Discovery Institute program, two graduates who are now enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles—Ulisses Barraza and Antonio Figueroa—and two Hoover High School students who serve as mentors in the program—Shana Thang and Amanuel Weidermarian.

“Aquatic Adventures is important to me in so many ways,” Barraza said. “I wanted to go to college and Ocean Discovery Institute gave me the inspiration and the resources to achieve that.”

Photos are available upon request.

About Ocean Discovery Institute
Ocean Discovery Institute, formerly Aquatic Adventures, is a non-profit organization that uses science exploration to engage urban and diverse young people in 3 ways: education, scientific research and environmental stewardship. Through our programs youth are empowered to transform their lives and make a difference in the world as scientific and environmental leaders. Their discoveries will reveal new ways to protect the ocean and nature, improve the health of our communities, and strengthen the quality of life in our world. Each year, approximately 5,000 elementary through college students participate. The organization focuses its efforts in the community of City Heights. For more information, visit http://www.aquaticadventures.org.

About Price Charities
Price Charities is a public foundation whose mission is to improve the lives of families living in low-income, urban communities. The foundation launched its City Heights Initiative in 1994 as a holistic approach to the revitalization of an inner city community.  At the time, City Heights had the highest crime rate in San Diego County, gang activity and drug dealing were rampant, housing was substandard and public services were lacking. Sol Price formed an alliance with the City of San Diego and then-City Manager Jack McGrory to transform City Heights. For more information, visit http://www.pricecharities.com.

About SCS Engineers
Since 1970, SCS Engineers has delivered economically and environmentally sound solutions for solid waste management, site remediation and environmental engineering projects throughout the world. The award-winning firm provides engineering, construction, and long-term operations and maintenance to private and public sector clients through a network of 45 offices in 23 states and throughout the world. For more information about SCS Engineers, please visit our website at http://www.scsengineers.com or contact service@scsengineers.com.