Lorraine Dodero, the impetus behind the diocesan Fund A Dream scholarship program, and Bishop Edward Malesic recently hosted a group of Fund A Dream donors and would-be donors for a special lunch program called “An Afternoon of Blessings and Gratitude.”
“Thank you for being here and for believing in the dream,” Dodero told the group. “Each of you helped open a door for a family so another child could attend a Catholic school.”
Fund A Dream offers tuition assistance by matching donors with selected, deserving students. Selected students are granted a $2,500 scholarship, significantly reducing their annual tuition fees for one school year. The program is overseen by the Catholic Community Foundation. Since it launched in 2019 at the Alleluia Ball, a major fundraiser for Catholic education, FAD has grown into a year-round initiative that has awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships to 750 students in 68 schools, including 244 students in the most recent school year.
Dodero said Fund A Dream was “a simple, bold idea that no child should be turned away from the opportunity to have a Catholic education. I never imagined it would grow like this. It is a movement of faith, generosity and hope,” she said, noting the initiative is personal to her and her husband Bill.
“The scholarships help real people in need. There is a name, a face and a story behind each,” she said, noting some donors receive letters from the children they are helping. These communications help express what the program means to the students and their families.
Dodero read portions of letters from some of the children she has helped. One letter said, “Words can’t express how grateful we are for this scholarship. I plan to become a doctor and do medical research,” said Danielle, who promised to update Dodero on her plans and achievements.
Another letter from a student named Christine, revealed that she is sixth in her class. She has a 4.5 grade point average and plans to attend Walsh Jesuit High School in the fall. She is one of nine siblings.
“Know that they will never forget you,” Dodero said of the FAD scholarship recipients. “It’s not just about the dollars, it’s an investment in education and the future that is rooted in faith, truth and love. The ‘why’ is clear and the ‘how’ is easy. Thank you for your kindness and consideration so they can have a dream.”
Tracey Arnone, associate superintendent of diocesan schools, said she often visits some of the 106 schools in the eight-county diocese. She said the diocesan schools are enjoying their highest enrollment in about 50 years, with nearly 40,000 students.
“We are proud of our academic excellence,” she said, noting seven diocesan schools are among 11 statewide to earn the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) designation while four were among 11 statewide to earn academic excellence designations.
“We’re forming not just minds, but hearts,” Arnone said, noting religious education adds another dimension to the students’ learning.
She said there are far more FAD applicants than can be accommodated by the available scholarships. The program has made a big difference in Catholic schools across the diocese, Arnone added, especially for families with multiple children attending Catholic schools.
“I am a Fund A Dream donor like Lorraine, and so are my parents … It’s a win-win situation for students. We are teaching them to show appreciation,” Arnone said, thanking the donors for their ongoing support.
Bishop Malesic, who is marking his fifth year as shepherd of the diocese and his 10th year as a bishop, credited the presbyterate for the strong Church in Cleveland. “I am so blessed to have great priests,” he said, noting eight men were ordained to the priesthood in May and another six are information as they discern ordination in May 2026. “They are on fire with the love of God.”
The bishop said those attending the event were there “for a good meal and to do good things. At the Eucharist, we gather for a good meal and then are sent out. The same thing happens here. We are his (Jesus’) disciples, his Church, his hands. We belong to him and he sends us out.” He called giving “a spiritual thing,” adding that God should be included as people figure out how to share the blessings they have received.
“If the Lord is with us, we will not fail,” the bishop added.
Reflecting on the students, he said they will change the Church, their communities and the world.
“If we don’t give them the chance to attend a Catholic school, the opportunity could be lost. They want the truth and we have it. The truth will set you free,” he said.
Bishop Malesic said Catholic schools are among the best evangelization tools, and FAD donors are “doing amazing work by sharing your gifts with these children … I’m a Christian just like you are. We’re trying to be good stewards of what we’ve been given.” He used the parable of the sower and the seed to illustrate how donors sharing their resources (seed) could help something grow (students receiving a Catholic education).
“It starts by helping just one person,” he added. “By doing that, you may change the trajectory of a life for one student/family.”
For more information on Fund A Dream, click here.