Funds to Support STEM, Family Engagement
Programs in East Central ISD
SAN
ANTONIO, Feb. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on
a legacy of more than 20 years of truck and SUV assembly in
San Antonio, Toyota is further
expanding its impact in the community with a new major investment
in the city's educational readiness.
As part of the Driving Possibilities initiative, Toyota
USA Foundation is providing grants
of up to $6.5 million over five years
in East Central Independent School District (East Central ISD). The
program will give students and teachers access to innovative tools
and programs designed to provide foundational skills, build
confidence and forge an individualized path to success. Additional
wraparound services will support basic needs that prepare students
for learning. San Antonio is the
ninth location to launch within this national program to promote
workforce development, education and community engagement.
"For more than 20 years, Toyota has played a critical
role in the booming Texas
economy," said Governor Greg Abbott.
"Part of what made Texas the
eighth-largest economy in the world is our growing and skilled
workforce. This $6.5 million in
grants to East Central ISD will help equip students in
San Antonio with the skills they need to get good-paying
jobs in high-demand industries like auto
manufacturing. I thank Toyota for their ongoing partnership and
investment in the better job and bigger paycheck
opportunities that we provide in Texas. Working together, we will build a
stronger and more prosperous Texas that will endure for
generations."
As Toyota commemorates this STEM education investment in
San Antonio, Toyota Texas
continues to celebrate its expansion with the addition of the
$531 million rear axle plant
announced in June 2024. With this new
asset, the plant will supply rear axles for the Toyota Tundra and
Sequoia assembled onsite and the Toyota Tacoma assembled in
Mexico. Facility construction and
hiring are underway to prepare for the start of operations in
2026.
"Education and workforce development are longtime priorities for
Toyota Texas," said Susann Kazunas,
president of Toyota Texas. "The future of our company and other
companies across Texas depend on
strong pipelines of students prepared to be the workforce of
tomorrow. As Toyota grows in San Antonio—with the construction of
our new rear axle plant, and now the implementation of Driving
Possibilities in our community—we are proud of how that growth
reflects our commitment to South
Texas."
Driving Possibilities in San
Antonio is launching as a collaboration between Toyota
USA Foundation, East Central ISD,
Texas A&M University San Antonio's
Institute for School and Community Partnerships, and United Way of
San Antonio and Bexar County. Select schools in East Central
ISD will build out an innovative STEM program and participate in
experiential learning. Teachers will benefit through professional
development, mentorship, coaching and tools needed for confident
STEM instruction. Families throughout the district will have access
to a new Family Resource Center launched by United Way. Additional
collaborators may be added in the coming years.
"East Central ISD is proud to partner with the Toyota
USA Foundation's Driving
Possibilities initiative to bring cutting-edge STEM education to
Pecan Valley STEM Academy," said Roland
Toscano, superintendent of East Central ISD. "Toyota's
commitment to giving is truly remarkable, lifting up students and
inspiring them to reach their full potential. Together, we are
customizing learning experiences that challenge every student to
grow academically and personally, helping to inspire their success
in the classroom and beyond."
United Way joined the initiative as a wraparound services
provider with the Family Resource Center and Dual Generation
initiative. The new Family Resource Center located on Pecan Valley
STEM Academy's campus will meet basic needs and increase family
engagement to help support all East Central ISD students learn and
thrive at school. The addition of the Dual Generation initiative
will provide families in the district with workforce training,
education programs and high-quality childcare to support their
student's academic success.
"We believe all students deserve access to opportunities and a
pathway to high-growth careers, no matter their background," said
Ana Meade, vice president of
sustainable development at Toyota. "Through Driving Possibilities,
we aim to create limitless possibilities for all in our work with
communities to address barriers so that everyone can participate in
the quality STEM jobs of the future."
Driving Possibilities
In 2022, the
Toyota USA Foundation's Driving
Possibilities initiative was launched a unique way to bring
together educators, local and national nonprofits, industry and
communities to create limitless possibilities for all. With more
than 65 years of active community support across the U.S., efforts
span the PreK-12 education continuum, with a foundation in the
model developed in the West Dallas
area. This is the largest and most comprehensive social innovation
effort in Toyota's history.
To date, more than $75 million
has been announced through multi-year grants with local and
national nonprofits, education partners and the communities where
Toyota team members live and work. The initiative is funded by
Toyota USA Foundation with
additional funds provided by Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and
Toyota Financial Services (TFS).
Toyota USA
Foundation
The Toyota USA Foundation is a
private foundation supporting education and community programs
serving kindergarten through 12th-grade students and their teachers
in the United States, with an
emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math
(STEM).
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the
U.S. for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing
sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus
brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs nearly 48,000 people in the U.S. who
have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more
than 35 million cars and trucks at our 11 manufacturing plants. In
spring 2025, Toyota's plant in North
Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for
electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road
than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 31 electrified
options.
To help inspire the next generation for careers in advanced
manufacturing, Toyota launched its in-person tour booking platform
and virtual tour experience at www.TourToyota.com allowing guests
to schedule a live tour to see several of our U.S. manufacturing
facilities in action or visit all plants virtually from anywhere
around the globe.
For more information about Toyota,
visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
Media Contacts:
Melinda Higgins Louden
210.748.6103
melinda.louden@toyota.com
Amanda Roark
amanda.roark@toyota.com
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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America