Our Work

Formation

All Tamarindo community members are required to be involved in formation groups. These groups are based on age and meet regularly to discuss current issues, community organization and other issues which include:

Relationships and respect
Local History
Immigration

Service

All members of all ages are encouraged and required to be involved in weekly service projects. Projects include:

Life skills
Gender equality
Career building

Tutoring
Farming
Home repair

Teaching
Community clean ups
(beach, river)

Racism
Conflict resolution
Culture

Assistance to senior
community members
Coaching

Our Programs

First Learners Program

Education transforms lives. First Learners is the first step to providing educational opportunities in a comprehensive education plan that begins here and continues through the Jon Cortina Scholarship Program. This program is designed to introduce books and reading to first learners through music, art, bilingual language and recreation.The program is facilitated by one of

our directors with the support of Cortina students focusing on children 2-4 years of age and their parents.

Tutoring Program

All students are offered individual tutors to assist them in all subjects including English language and technology, with a goal of helping create confident students and effective learners. Tutors are organized by our team of scholarship students.

Sports & Recreation

The Tamarindo Foundation provides resources and opportunities for a healthy comprehensive program of sports, recreation and health for all ages in a safe space while focusing on health, wellness, and teamwork. Programs include; theatre arts, dance, yoga, aerobics, soccer, hockey, skating, surfing and swimming

Tamarindo English Academy

The Foundation provides English conversational training to the Tamarindo community with an emphasis on oral communication in English. English fluency will open doors for young people in education and future employment opportunities. The English Academy offers classes 6 days a week led by professionally trained English teachers.

Women's Development Program

Our goal is to build a safe and healthy community together in which men and women can coexist with respect and harmony. Included is a gender program that came from an undergraduate research project developed by two of our social workers on “machismo” in our community. The program aims at bringing gender issues to discussion. This program also has created safe spaces for women by women

developing social, economic , and wellness initiatives in the community.

Jon Cortina Scholarship Program

Education transforms lives and contributes to building a community with better conditions. This program, founded in 2011, provides university and vocational school scholarships to students based on academic, community service, and financial need as part of our comprehensive education plan. All scholarship students participate in the execution of all Tamarindo programs as

instructors, counselors, coaches etc. Currently we are sending 20 students to university and graduates have included teachers, doctors, social workers, lawyers and community leaders.

Microbusiness Development Program

The Foundation provides microbusiness loans approved by our local banking committee along with a board committee of advisors. This program is a step in giving people the skills/tools to prosper economically in their community and home country of El Salvador. Each applicant must be 18+ years of age and the product or service must be approved by the local

microbusiness committee. Currently loans range between $2500-4500 with a 3% interest rate. Each applicant must participate in a business seminar sponsored by the University of San Diego as well as work with an assigned business coach provided by the Foundation.