The Tucson Federal Credit Union recently donated $90,000 to Kino Learning Center (Kino School) — supporting the institution’s efforts to build a new music classroom on campus. Vice President of Culture and Development John Jackson said he is thrilled to see the additional opportunities the funding will allow the school to offer its students.
“I was very interested in music and art growing up in my education and I understand that, they’re not just extras in my purview,” he said. “It’s a part of encouraging students to find their voice, their confidence and developing a sense of belonging — especially for those that don’t necessarily thrive in traditional settings.
“Having the support of that type of curriculum is really exciting and I’m glad that there is a school, locally, that really focuses on using creativity to unlock that engagement and that learning for these students.”
A product of the Tucson Federal Credit Union’s Community Giving Program, the large donation Kino School received from will go toward expanding STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) programs and music education opportunities on campus.
Set to replace an outdoor covered area, the music classroom will span 336 square feet, with climate control, sound insulation and energy efficient applications. The classroom will house instruments, educational music books and other items and materials necessary for a musical instruction. According to Jackson, construction is slated to begin in June and the classroom is scheduled to be complete “around August or September.”
Jackson said that supporting education is a core element of the credit union’s approach for creating an impact in the community.
“We were founded by a group of educators back in 1937 — and part of our giving strategy to the community is to invest in any programs specifically for youth,” he said. “Whether it’s through sports, music, arts, or anything that’s engaging — and this actually hit pretty much all of those marks.
“With that, the committee reviewed the request itself and we figured it was a good opportunity to really invest in the Tucson community.”
The vice president of culture and development added that he felt that as an institution that isn’t part of a larger district, Kino School doesn’t receive as much attention as other schools in Tucson. Jackson also explained that as a local organization, giving back to the community is important.
“Being a local credit union, having investments in the betterment of the place that we all live in is really essential,” he said. “Youth and people that are educating or developing them will hopefully go on and stay as a resident and sustain our community.”
As construction on the classroom begins and Kino School moves forward with its music programs, Johnson said that one of the ways families in the community can continue to support the institution is by directing tax credits to the school. He noted that the credit union has plans for continuing to support Kino Learning Center, including offering financial literacy education for students and parents alike and other measures.
For Johnson and the team at Tucson Federal Credit Union, their hope is that the grant will yield greater opportunities for the students and families of Kino Learning Center. The vice president of culture and development said he feels the space holds significant potential.
“I personally am very excited with the way that (Kino School) approaches its curriculum and the way it develops its students,” he said. “Aside from the day-in-day-out curriculum that they’ll have there, I think it provides the school the opportunity to host different types of community gatherings within the students and parent population and potentially renting it out to other groups as an income source.
“We’re really happy and excited to support them with this expansion, with the relationship hopefully moving forward for many years.”