At SDCYB, we understand the need to actively seek support for the arts from all levels. We are outspoken about our belief in the vital necessity of arts education in the lives of our youth, and the importance of advocating for the arts in both funding measures and legislation. We have hosted many elected local and national officials at our performances - including Todd Gloria, Susan Davis and Chris Ward, among others - where they have introduced our productions from the stage.
Operating with sustainable practices is extremely important to SDCYB, and we have prioritized those efforts in recent years. We focus on being eco-conscious with our office purchases, as well as our productions, which utilize countless reused costumes. We were active in the process of certifying the Casa del Prado as LEED Silver in 2015, and its re-certification in 2020. SDCYB's Marketing Director Ira Bauer-Spector was a founding member of the Balboa Park Green Team in 2015, who was named a Balboa Park Eco-Champion in 2019 by the Balboa Park Sustainability Program.
Giving back to our community, especially those in need, is a value that we treasure here at SDCYB. For the last few years, we have partnered with local organizations such as PATH San Diego, Father Joe’s Villages, and the San Diego Food Bank to host drives in conjunction with our annual performances of the beloved holiday family tradition, The Nutcracker. We have hosted toy drives, food drives, blanket drives, as well as other much-needed household items. We are all so grateful for the opportunities we have to dance together, and giving back to the SDCYB community enhances the pride we feel in the classroom, on the stage, and in the office.