{"id":5541,"date":"2026-10-28T11:46:19","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T09:46:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/?p=5541"},"modified":"2026-10-28T11:46:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T09:46:19","slug":"basic-borrego-springs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/basic-borrego-springs\/","title":{"rendered":"BASIC Borrego Springs: Supporting Students from Cradle to Graduation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/borregobasic.org\/\">BASIC Borrego Springs<\/a> began by helping local children learn to fly. Today, its educational support starts before children can read and continues through college and vocational training. In this isolated California desert community, BASIC brings books into young children\u2019s homes, offers a summer Learning Academy, and awards scholarships that help residents begin and continue their education.<\/p>\n<p>BASIC\u2019s commitment to helping students through successive stages of their education makes it a fitting recipient of a Kars4Kids <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/\">small grant<\/a>. Its \u201cCradle to Graduation\u201d approach addresses the points where students can fall behind or find their next step out of reach. Programs combine academic instruction with practical help, including free meals during summer learning and larger scholarships for continuing students facing the costs of living and studying away from home.<\/p>\n<p>We put some questions to Joann Stang, BASIC\u2019s longest-serving board member, about the organization\u2019s unexpected beginnings and its work supporting generations of Borrego Springs students.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kars4Kids: An airport and a child\u2019s education might seem like two very different causes. How did a group working to improve Borrego Springs\u2019 airport end up helping its students?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Joann Stang: Yes, the founders of BASIC began by running the Borrego airport AND teaching the children of Borrego Springs to fly airplanes. BASIC provided scholarships and the academic and practical education for students to learn to fly an airplane and get a general aviation license. So scholarships were an important part of BASIC, and that has continued until the present. The burden of running an airport was greater than the resources of a nonprofit organization, so that became a commercial endeavor, while the nonprofit BASIC continued as a scholarship organization. BASIC now provides educational support through a variety of programs, including scholarships, to help Borrego residents achieve their goals and reach their potential.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5547\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/TK_After_School_Reading_Club_Library_Visit_Spring_2026.png\" alt=\"A BASIC Reading Club instructor shares a large picture book with children during a library visit.\" width=\"687\" height=\"637\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/TK_After_School_Reading_Club_Library_Visit_Spring_2026.png 687w, https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/TK_After_School_Reading_Club_Library_Visit_Spring_2026-300x278.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kars4Kids: For readers who have never visited Borrego Springs, can you describe the community?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Joann Stang: Borrego Springs is a very isolated desert community about 90 miles from San Diego and totally surrounded by the 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego State Park. There are fewer than 4,000 permanent residents and only 340 students in the school district.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kars4Kids: What is it like to grow up there, and what opportunities can be harder for local children to access?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Joann Stang: For young people, there is no movie theater, no shopping mall, and no electronics supply store\u2014no places where young friends might gather. Because of low family incomes, most children seldom leave the community; most have not seen the ocean just several hours away. In the summer, children do not have access to enrichment camp experiences. Borrego families are very hardworking and want the very best for their children, but many of the opportunities for exposure and enrichment outside of school are just not available in the community.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5550\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Free_Book_Table_and_Reading_Club_Information_for_Families_Fall_2026.png\" alt=\"Two children browse free books beside information about BASIC\u2019s Reading Club.\" width=\"806\" height=\"615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Free_Book_Table_and_Reading_Club_Information_for_Families_Fall_2026.png 806w, https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Free_Book_Table_and_Reading_Club_Information_for_Families_Fall_2026-300x229.png 300w, https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Free_Book_Table_and_Reading_Club_Information_for_Families_Fall_2026-768x586.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kars4Kids: BASIC describes its approach as \u201cCradle to Graduation.\u201d Can you give us an overview of how the programs fit together as a child grows?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Joann Stang: Yes, BASIC&#8217;s programs are integrated and focused on support at the known junctures where educational development might \u201crun off the track.\u201d Children from birth to age 5 participate in the free Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. They receive a book a month delivered to their home address. Children who have books in the home and who are read to on a regular basis do better when they enter school. BASIC also works with parents to help them understand the importance of reading in child development. Children in the school\u2019s transitional kindergarten (TK) class participate in the BASIC after-school Reading Club. This weekly program focuses on interactive literacy activities to strengthen alphabet knowledge, vocabulary, listening comprehension and oral language. Each summer, our Learning Academy gives students additional support and experience in the areas of reading and math. Learning Academy is a 4-week, full-day program providing over 100 hours of instruction, all totally free to families. Children also receive nutritious breakfasts and lunches. Classes are small and led by a qualified teacher and teaching aide. This past summer, there were six Learning Academy classes.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>TK and preschool<\/li>\n<li>1st\/2nd grade with emphasis on reading and math<\/li>\n<li>2nd\/3rd grade reading<\/li>\n<li>Elementary grades math<\/li>\n<li>Middle school reading and language arts<\/li>\n<li>Middle school math<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>BASIC supports high school seniors and families in preparing their FAFSA applications and with workshops focused on career identification and access. Our very active scholarship program provided almost $140,000 to 51 local residents this year. Scholarships support graduating seniors, and continuing students can receive even larger scholarships because BASIC understands the financial needs of students who are supporting themselves and paying for their own education.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5546\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DPIL_10th_Anniversary_Celebration_Borrego_Springs_April_2026.png\" alt=\"Children gather beside a Dolly Parton cutout at the Imagination Library\u2019s tenth anniversary celebration in Borrego Springs.\" width=\"853\" height=\"632\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DPIL_10th_Anniversary_Celebration_Borrego_Springs_April_2026.png 853w, https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DPIL_10th_Anniversary_Celebration_Borrego_Springs_April_2026-300x222.png 300w, https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/DPIL_10th_Anniversary_Celebration_Borrego_Springs_April_2026-768x569.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kars4Kids: Through Dolly Parton\u2019s Imagination Library, children receive books before they\u2019re old enough for school. How does BASIC connect families with this program?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Joann Stang: We \u201cmarket\u201d the Dolly Parton program at all BASIC and community events. Our program is now 10 years old and was the first in San Diego County. Dolly (a cutout) is frequently standing in the local library beside a table of free books and information about the Imagination Library program.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5545\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Borrego_Days_BASIC_Information_Booth_Free_Books_DPIL_October_2026.png\" alt=\"A girl holds a book at BASIC\u2019s Borrego Days booth promoting free books and early literacy.\" width=\"1017\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Borrego_Days_BASIC_Information_Booth_Free_Books_DPIL_October_2026.png 1017w, https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Borrego_Days_BASIC_Information_Booth_Free_Books_DPIL_October_2026-300x186.png 300w, https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Borrego_Days_BASIC_Information_Booth_Free_Books_DPIL_October_2026-768x476.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kars4Kids: What other support do you offer to help parents nurture early reading skills?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Joann Stang: We have also presented a Latino Family Literacy program for parents to encourage and assist them in developing reading routines with their children. Our follow-up coordinator frequently interacts with parents to encourage and support them and to gather feedback about BASIC and our programs.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5551\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/TK_Academy_Early_Literacy_Activities_July_2026.png\" alt=\"Children in yellow BASIC TK Academy shirts practice early literacy skills with worksheets and crayons.\" width=\"917\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/TK_Academy_Early_Literacy_Activities_July_2026.png 917w, https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/TK_Academy_Early_Literacy_Activities_July_2026-300x152.png 300w, https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/TK_Academy_Early_Literacy_Activities_July_2026-768x390.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kars4Kids: How are students selected for Learning Academy, and how do teachers tailor the summer\u2019s instruction to their needs?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Joann Stang: Students are invited based on a variety of criteria that identify students who will benefit from small classes and individualized instruction. Teachers use research-based, targeted instruction to enhance basic skills, provide practice opportunities and expand academic exploration and critical thinking, in order to support and increase grade-level competency.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5548 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Learning_Academy_Park_Life_Workshop_Summer_2026.png\" alt=\"A BASIC Reading Club instructor shares a large picture book with children during a library visit.\" width=\"671\" height=\"390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Learning_Academy_Park_Life_Workshop_Summer_2026.png 671w, https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Learning_Academy_Park_Life_Workshop_Summer_2026-300x174.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kars4Kids: Can you walk us through a typical day at Learning Academy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Joann Stang: A typical day begins at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast. The morning of instruction is interrupted by a break for a snack. Lunch is augmented by enrichment activities like educational games. The afternoon is again an instructional session. Students depart at 2:30 p.m. During the four weeks, there are some enrichment activities planned, like painting and exploration of the local environment.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5554\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/TK_Academy_Group_Reading_Summer_2026.png\" alt=\"\tBASIC TK Academy children sit on a colorful rug while an instructor reads a picture book aloud.\" width=\"470\" height=\"425\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/TK_Academy_Group_Reading_Summer_2026.png 470w, https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/TK_Academy_Group_Reading_Summer_2026-300x271.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 470px) 85vw, 470px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kars4Kids: What goes into selecting recipients for Start-School and Stay-in-School scholarships?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Joann Stang: BASIC has a scholarship application with criteria that focus on need and ability to achieve goals. BASIC&#8217;s Scholarship Committee reads all applications and engages applicants in interviews to select applicants to present to the Board for concurrence.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kars4Kids: Why was it important to offer continued support after a student\u2019s first year?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Joann Stang: The size of scholarships increases considerably after the first year because there are few scholarships in this category, student need is great, and students have proven that they have the potential to be successful in this environment. Many Borrego students receive tuition reductions, but their costs for fees, books, room, board and transportation are great.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kars4Kids: How do you stay in touch with scholars along the way?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Joann Stang: Continuing students reapply every year, and BASIC Board members volunteer as mentors for our scholars.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-5544\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/BASIC_Scholars_April_2026-1024x519.png\" alt=\" BASIC scholarship recipients and organizers pose with a ceremonial scholarship check.\" width=\"840\" height=\"426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/BASIC_Scholars_April_2026-1024x519.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/BASIC_Scholars_April_2026-300x152.png 300w, https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/BASIC_Scholars_April_2026-768x389.png 768w, https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/BASIC_Scholars_April_2026.png 1077w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kars4Kids: What kinds of vocational training and continuing education has BASIC supported?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Joann Stang: Vocational training awards usually go to adults in the community who are retooling for a career change. We have supported cake-making school, caregiver training, and auto mechanics training as examples. We have given scholarships for professional education such as law school and qualifying for teacher credentials. These students complete scholarship applications when the submission time is open.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kars4Kids: As BASIC\u2019s longest-serving board member, you\u2019ve watched these efforts develop over time. Can you share a student\u2019s story that illustrates what the support can mean?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Joann Stang: Yes, my husband was a co-founder, and I am now the longest-serving Board member. This organization has grown tremendously from granting a few scholarships in those early years to having a strategy that supports our residents with programs at recognized critical junctures along their full educational journey\u2014from cradle to graduation. The only one of our Learning Academy teachers who has participated in that program for the full ten years is a BASIC scholar. BASIC scholarships supported her through the granting of teaching credentials, and she has returned to give back to her community ever since.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5552\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Transition_to_College_Life_Workshop_Seniors_March_2026.png\" alt=\"High school seniors and organizers gather for BASIC\u2019s transition to college life workshop.\" width=\"710\" height=\"272\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Transition_to_College_Life_Workshop_Seniors_March_2026.png 710w, https:\/\/www.kars4kidsgrants.org\/our-grantees\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Transition_to_College_Life_Workshop_Seniors_March_2026-300x115.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 984px) 61vw, (max-width: 1362px) 45vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Kars4Kids: Where would you most like to see BASIC\u2019s programs grow next?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Joann Stang: As the organization goes forward, we will evaluate the inclusion of more early childhood support for parents. Education begins at birth, and our Borrego children should have the best support to reach their potential and achieve their goals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BASIC Borrego Springs began by helping local children learn to fly. Today, its educational support starts before children can read [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5542,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[34,35,37,36,38],"class_list":["post-5541","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-california","tag-early-literacy","tag-scholarships","tag-summer-learning","tag-vocational-training"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>BASIC Borrego Springs: From Cradle to Graduation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"BASIC, a Kars4Kids small grant recipient, supports Borrego Springs students with literacy programs, summer learning, and scholarships.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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