About 150 people with an interest in making Catholic education affordable to more students attended a special lunch program to learn more about the Fund a Dream initiative on April 24 at The Union Club in downtown Cleveland.
Special guests included Bishop Edward Malesic, Gov. Mike and First Lady Fran DeWine. Roberto Nicolas-Vazquez, counsel of Mexico in Detroit, Michigan, who was a guest of immigration attorney Margaret Wong, also attended.
Lorraine Dodero, Fund a Dream chair and a Catholic Community Foundation board member, organized the event with the foundation.
(See photo gallery above.)
Patrick Grace, executive director of the Catholic Community Foundation, greeted attendees and offered his thanks to the event sponsors: The Sam J. Frankino Foundation, presenting sponsor; The Fideli Group, the Kurtz family, Donna and Tim Panzica, Cindy and George Smith, Boyd Watterson Asset Management and Margaret W. Wong & Associates LLC, sponsors.
Dodero, who is passionate about making a Catholic education affordable to all who desire one, said Fund a Dream was an initiative that evolved from the Alleluia Ball, a major, biennial diocesanwide fundraiser for Catholic education. Fund a Dream launched in 2020, providing tuition assistance at 11 schools for about 100 students.
“I knew more could be done,” she said, noting about 9,000 students across the diocese were seeking help with their tuition. “We are now helping students in all 107 schools in the diocese.”
Fund a Dream connects the donors, who fund one or more $2,500 scholarships, directly with a student who receives the funds. During the 2022-2023 school year, more than 200 students received these scholarships, which are among the various forms of tuition assistance available throughout the diocese.
Since Fund a Dream launched, some 525 students have received a scholarship.
“This is another way to help send children to Catholic schools. It’s giving a child a good education and a future. We are investing in a child’s education, empowering these children to learn and succeed,” Dodero said, noting it is a way to help break the cycle of poverty.
“The generous benefactors have enjoyed engaging with their students and learning how they are progressing academically and spiritually,” Dodero said. She has funded multiple scholarships since Fund a Dream began and said she has received cards and letters from the recipients. However, she had not met one of the recipients in person until the luncheon.
Hunter Gamble, a junior at Holy Name High School, met Dodero and shared information with her during brief discussion on stage. He told her he lives with his maternal aunt and uncle since his mother’s death during his freshman year of high school.
“It was hard,” he said, adding, “I am thankful for those in my life. My Catholic education means a lot to me.”
Hunter said he has always attended Catholic schools. He is considering a possible legal career and acknowledges, “I know God has a plan for me.”
He received a Fund a Dream scholarship his sophomore and junior year and applied for one for next school year.
“It is such a blessing to meet a person like you,” he said to Dodero, who funded his current scholarship. “It is an honor to be here. I hope someday things can come full circle and maybe I can help a child.”
Dodero said he has received cards and notes from Hunter, but this was their first in-person meeting. She also gave him some good news, sharing that he was among the 210 students approved for a FAD scholarship next school year. She said 700 students used the new, streamlined online application to apply for the scholarships. The other recipients will be notified soon.
DeWine, who has made several trips to Greater Cleveland in recent months, was applauded for his efforts to increase school funding. He said improving literacy is a priority for his wife. “There is nothing more important than children for the future of Ohio. We want every child to be able to live up to their God-given potential. Jobs won’t come to Ohio if there aren’t people to do the work. Education is important to help people be prepared for the jobs.”
He also talked about the shift in the way reading is taught, with many schools returning to the science of reading. However, many teachers need to be retrained for this method. The governor estimated 40% of Ohio students still do not read at grade level, but improvement is beginning.
DeWine said when he decides what priorities he will set, he uses the lens of his family and what would he want if it was his child.
“I want them to find something they love, that they want to do and ensure that they get the skills they need. Let’s help these kids have a pathway, a way to work forward. Thank you for giving these students an opportunity,” the governor added.
Bishop Malesic praised DeWine and Dodero for their support of education. “More parents are able to send their children to the school of their choosing because of you,” he said. And to Hunter, the bishop said, “I meet a lot of impressive people and Hunter, you impress me. I admire you.”
The bishop called Fund a Dream “a great example of how we can strengthen our education. I’m in a room of very blessed people. God has blessed you for a reason – to be a blessing for others.” Catholic schools are the largest youth ministry program in the diocese, he said, noting he mission of Catholic schools focuses on the spiritual, personal and academic growth of students. God wants us to be saints. And how do we do this? By using the blessings he gave us and sharing them with others.”
This is the third consecutive year enrollment in Catholic schools in the diocese has increased, the bishop said. “People see what we have, they see it is good and they are interested in it.” He said many people have said Catholic schools are like a family, a safe place that is part of the Church family, a family of faith.
“We have amazing educators who do this because they see it as a calling from God. Thank you to all of our Catholic school benefactors who help make a Catholic education available to those who desire it. Thank you to Frank O’Linn, diocesan superintendent of schools, and the Office of Catholic Education for all the hard work you do,” the bishop added.
To date, $1.3 million of Fund a Dream tuition assistance has been made available to students in need.
“I am blessed to be in this diocese and to be a bishop. Our Church is strong because of you,” he said.
The bishop also announced that Nicolas-Vazquez, the Mexican counsel, agreed to fund a scholarship, which generated applause from the other attendees.
“Thank you and please know how much we appreciate your support,” Grace told the group before the bishop offered a final blessing.
Click here for more information on Fund a Dream.