These successful programs were showcased at the annual SPICE Conversations in Excellence symposium held at Boston College June 27-29, 2003. The entire proceedings, including presentations by keynote speakers and descriptions of the following programs, were published by NCEA in a book titled Catholic Schools for Children and Youth in Poverty: Conversations in Excellence 2003.
The RCAN Elizabethport Project
Elizabethport Catholic School, Inc.
227 Court Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07206
T (908) 351-2188
F (908) 351-6086
Dr. Theodore Kadela, Principal
Dolores Kulesa, Dean
To keep a K–8 Catholic education available to families whose income falls below poverty level in the poorest section of inner-city Elizabeth, New Jersey (called Elizabethport, an urban enterprise zone), three struggling schools in need of extensive repair merged into one regional school operated by a separate corporation under the Archdiocese of Newark. The corporation found a way to efficiently fund and operate the three schools with the grade levels divided among the three buildings.
Catholic Education Foundation
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
3424 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90010-2241
T (213) 637-7694
F (213) 637-5901
Theresa Fragoso
Since 1988 this foundation with an endowment of $79 million supports programs to advance Catholic education for the Catholic schools and 100,000 students in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The Tuition Awards Program, the Tuition S.O.S. Program (for children at risk), the Advantage Plus Program, and the Principal Development Program are creative ways that allow many poor and disadvantaged children to participate in Catholic schools. For example, 5,500 tuition awards were granted in 2002.
Community Clean-Up Day
St. Malachy School
1200 E. 81st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90001
T (323) 582-3112
F (323) 582-9340
Carmen Navarro, Principal
In an area permeated with economic hardship, misunderstanding, diminished expectations, crime, gangs, intolerance, and fear, this school helps people, especially children, who are searching for hope and identity. Family groups become teams that improve the community by removing graffiti, clean urban alleyways, make motivational speeches and essays, and interact with the community. St. Malachy's model of character education, community formation, and student empowerment can create change everywhere.
Graduate Support Programs of the Miguel Schools
Lasallian Association of Miguel Schools
12 Carter Street
Providence, RI 02907
T (773) 882-5703 or (617) 244-1177
F (617) 244-8747
Terry Shields, LAMS Network Builder
San Miguel Schools provide a Catholic education without tuition for students who would not otherwise have access to them. This program supports middle school (8th grade) graduates and their families as they maneuver the process of applying to high school, staying in school, doing well, graduating, and continuing on to college. This is important for students faced with a culture that is accepting of failure, drug and alcohol use, relaxed norms of behavior, and often little family support.
The Patrons Program
Big Shoulders
309 West Washington Street, Suite 550
Chicago, IL 60606
T (312) 751-8337
Sr. Carol Marie Schommer
The Patrons Program of the Big Shoulders Fund works in collaboration with inner-city pastors and principals to accomplish the following: 1) create and implement a three-year plan to address critical school needs and develop a fiscally sound and high-quality educational institution; 2) support the school with a three-year annual $75,000 grant; and 3) form an advisory board of corporate, civic, and community leaders who will work collaboratively with the principal, pastor, and school personnel. Ultimately, the schools are better able to assess themselves and to strengthen their institution for the future.
Faith in the City
Center City Consortium
Archdiocese of Washington
145 Taylor Street, NE
Washington, DC 20017
T (202) 234-4611 ext. 363
F (202) 234-4740
Mary Anne Stanton, Executive Director
The consortium is a separate corporation under the archdiocese. The corporation has a staff that works with school principals to form a leadership team that carries out the daily operations of all 11 city schools. Standardized curriculum and procedures and a centralized development plan result in greater efficiency, reduced cost, increased income, additional educational programs, tuition assistance for students, teacher development, and higher quality instruction.
CARE – Charitable and Responsible Endowments
Archdiocese of Indianapolis
1400 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
T (317) 236-1430
F (317) 261-3364
Mickey Lentz
This program operates a foundation which receives and distributes money to urban Catholic elementary schools, and a trust which provides financial assistance to poor families.
Corporate Intern Program
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School
1852 West 22nd Place
Chicago, IL 60608
T (773) 890-6800
F (773) 890-6801
Carlos De La Rosa
In order to make private, college-preparatory education affordable to at-risk young people from this economically deprived area of Chicago, the Jesuits developed a new work-study program for high school students that combines two commonly used business concepts: employee leasing and job sharing. This initiative gives students the means of financing their education. Incorporated as the Cristo Rey Work Study Program, Inc., it allows all 450 students to earn 74% of the cost of their education by working five full days each month at sponsoring corporations. Class and work schedules are designed so that students never miss one for the other. As a result of working in a business environment, students acquire job experience and marketable skills, develop a network of business contacts, gain exposure to a wide variety of career opportunities, develop a strong work ethic, and increase self-esteem.
San Xavier Mission School Expansion Program
1980 San Xavier Road
Tucson, AZ 85746-7409
T (520) 294-0628
F (520) 294-3438
Marjorie Butler
The facilities expansion and upgrade program has enabled the school, located on a reservation, to continue its mission to educate, nurture, and empower increasing numbers of Tohono O'odham and other Native American children. Financial support was solicited through many fundraisers, foundations, and generous benefactors. The school helps to break the cycle of poverty that has existed for many Native American children and families living on the reservation by providing a strong academic foundation, fostering self-esteem, and enhancing their cultural way of life.
A School for All Reasons
Immaculate Conception School
810 Oak Street
Youngstown, OH 44506
T (330) 747-9471
F (330) 747-5022
Amy Ellis
This inner-city school adopted an alternative school year calendar as a way to better serve the needs of current students and to attract new students. The year-around calendar offers many benefits for students, including less learning loss and more frequent remediation, enrichment classes, and recreational activities. An important part of its success has been effective major fundraising projects.
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