Communicate with Us:

830 E. Grand Ave.
Suite B

Escondido, ,CA 92025

(760) 741-8246

Ana  Garcia, Ops Mgr.

sdbeca@sbcglobal.net

HISTORY

In the early 1980s David G. Martinez as Executive Director of North County Centro (NCC), a nonprofit organization, was meeting the needs of the community in addressing such issues as family counseling, gang divergence, drug/alcohol counseling, food distribution, etc.  He mandated that his employees continue to grow by allotting them work credit for attending classes.  During this time he planted the seed, seeking out and communicating with established leaders in San Diego County and School Administrators for their support of his vision of a scholarship    
                                           foundation.

While Mr. Martinez was established in Escondido, CA, he was a member of the American G.I. Forum whose goals were to promote participation in the political and educational process of the United States.   As a Veteran of the Second World War, the GI Bill enabled him to pursue his education, while also being employed and a family provider.  It garnered for him what he wanted to accomplish in his life - a never-ending pursuit of education and success.  He witnessed the growing number of Latinos settling into the community in pursuit of a better life.  As opposed to the job opportunities typically available to Latinos, that of service or labor, he wanted them to be afforded options by encouraging them to get an education.

In l984, the BECA Scholarship Foundation (BECA), which in Spanish means "scholarship", was realized as a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization.  This accomplishment due to the committed efforts of Co-Founders:  Joe Costa, Bill Dominguez, Dr. Fred Huber, Dr. John MacDonald, Ted Marioncelli, Al Mendoza, Thomas Missett, Jack Port, Judge Victor Ramirez and David Ronquillo, Esq..  Organizing the Foundation was the role of Manuel Valdez, MPH, employed at NCC as Administrative Assistant to the Director. Now an  accomplished businessman, he has not forgotten his roots and continues to support BECA’s  Mission. 

Mr. Martinez along with his Co-Founders and BECA supporters continue to revel in witnessing the success stories enabled by The Foundation.

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PURPOSE OF THE CORPORATION
 

The BECA Foundation was formed by a group of San Diego County residents to

provide scholarship funds to promising students of Latino descent. The Foundation’s

purpose is to seek out these students and provide them with the necessary financial

assistance, moral support and guidance to complete their education, thereby promoting

higher educational and leadership standards within the Latino community.

What has been accomplished? 2009 BECA Celebrates 25 Years!

       Since l984, a  total of 685 awards have been allocated to

       students totaling approximately $l.6 million.  BECA’s Focus

       continues to be the importance of mentoring to assure success. 

       Past recipients can now be found in various job markets having

       pursued a wide range of  careers.

During this 25th Anniversary Year- a Special Remembrance and Thank You to Edward and Mary Currivan, who in l989, expressed their commitment to the Purpose of BECA by enabling the stability of the Foundation.  They will always  be a part of the BECA family through the Alice Newell Joslyn Medical Endowment.