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A SPICE 2003 Program
The Patrons Program
Big Shoulders
Chicago, Illinois
The Big Shoulders Fund Patrons Program is a bold new step uniquely created to strengthen the Catholic inner-city schools' capabilities and to position them competitively and financially in an ever-changing economy. By partnering education, business, and the community, a well-rounded process of self-assessment and creative renewal is achieved and effective solutions are developed to meet the increasing educational needs faced in our evolving society.
Our commitment is to high-quality, faith-based, and value-centered education. The mission of providing a well-prepared citizenry and workforce through Catholic education as well as sustaining the fiscal viability of our schools drives the effort.
Guided by the Big Shoulders Fund, the Patrons Program, working in collaboration with inner-city pastors and principals, accomplishes all the following:
- creates and implements a three-year plan to address critical school needs and develop a fiscally sound and high-quality educational institution,
- supports the school with a three-year annual $75,000 grant, and
- forms an Advisory Board of corporate, civic, and community leaders who will work collaboratively with the principal, pastor and school personnel.
Establishing financial stability, improving the quality of education, and establishing links between the business and educational communities helps build long-term relationships that provide additional intellectual and financial resources. Ultimately, the Patrons Program schools are able to assess themselves and begin to plan to strengthen their institution for the future.
As inner-city schools are thus enabled, they will challenge their own thinking, explore their dreams, and expand their plans for the future. By investing in our schools, we are investing in the future leaders of our community.
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