Date: December 1, 2017
FORD REWARDS OVER 140 LOCAL AT-RISK STUDENTS WITH EXCLUSIVE VISIT TO REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS DESIGN STUDIO
SANTA ANA, Calif. – The Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership (OC GRIP) and their partners, Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Taco Bell, rewarded over 140 local elementary, middle, and high school students with an exclusive visit to Ford’s regional headquarters today for making positive life choices and staying out of gangs.
Students had the exclusive opportunity to participate in a behind-the-scenes tour of Ford’s design studio. Students also met and heard from law enforcement officers and prosecutors, including Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) Tony Rackauckas, who talked to students about the importance of education and the negative effects of criminal street gangs. To earn this incentive, the students met a challenge to have no unexcused absences, criminal activity or arrests, violence or weapons on campus, and no gang-related clothing, writing, or behavior.
As part of the program this year, students completed designs for a vehicle wrap to be applied to an OC GRIP vehicle used at community events. The designs were judged by a team from Ford. The winning design was made into a vehicle wrap and installed by RMD Group. The OC GRIP vehicle with its new winning design was unveiled at the event.
“RMD is so excited to be a part of this year’s GRIP event,” said Ralph Holguin, CEO and founder of RMD Group and host of RMD Garage. “We look forward to this event every year, and hope that our contributions make a change in the lives of the many youth that attend. I personally look forward to seeing each and every kid this year, and hope to hear their story and what GRIP means to them.”
“The partnership with Ford Motor Company has become one of the highlights of the GRIP program. Children from our two elementary schools are treated to a full day learning about the automotive industry,” stated Buena Park Police Department Chief Corey Sianez. “The kids learn a great deal and enjoy themselves immensely. The Ford event is a cornerstone to the GRIP program. Anyone who has been to this event can attest to its success.”
District Attorney Tony Rackauckas stated, “Ford Motor Company, Taco Bell, and local law enforcement have invested time, money, sweat, and resources planting seeds for a positive future. OC GRIP has created alternatives for children to choose a positive path and reject the gang life.”
This is the sixth year the OC GRIP program, in partnership with Ford and their employees, have provided at-risk-students with resources and support to encourage them to make education a priority in their lives. In this year alone, over 90 Ford employees volunteered their time by visiting 14 Orange County schools to meet with students in the program.