The gift of a
Catholic Education

At the Catholic Education Foundation, we have the unique opportunity to meet in person with many of the families that we serve. A lot of families will apply with us in person to see if they qualify for financial assistance. Because of this, we really are afforded the opportunity to hear from the students firsthand about the impact that a Catholic education is having on their lives.Vanessa started attending Catholic school as a freshman at Pomona Catholic School, an all-girls high school in the city of Pomona. The politeness of the other students made her feel welcomed on her first day, and the support from the teachers made a huge difference in her learning and helped her excel in her education.

“It’s a really nurturing environment. The teachers are so dedicated, so committed. They really know you one-on-one and they know how to help you. When you're struggling, you don't even have to say it. They know when you're struggling,” said Vanessa.

“Without the Catholic Education Foundation, I definitely wouldn't have been able to be here. I wouldn't have been able to continue my education at a Catholic institution,” added Vanessa. “So, I'd really just say thank you for helping me.”
Being in a faith-based environment and having Catholicism included in their education has been a feature that our students have valued.

“When it comes to faith and learning about our religion, they teach us about the community, our God, and they also help us build a relationship with our fellow classmates,” said Matthew, a Santa Isabel School student in Boyle Heights.

“It was definitely life-changing. Because I remember not being very close to God,” said
Remington, a student from St. Linus in Norwalk.

“Even though I was Catholic all my life, I was not very close to God until I came to this school. I felt a lot more welcomed into my faith, and I learned a lot more ever since I've been here.”

The support from our donors has truly made an impact on our students’ lives, both inside and outside of the classroom. Leslie, a recent graduate of Bishop Conaty – Our Lady of Loretto High School in Los Angeles, expressed her gratitude and the difference the Catholic Education Foundation has made in her life.

“Because of your contributions, you have shifted my life. You have shifted my academics, just because being here has opened my eyes to so many new experiences,” said Leslie.

Leslie shared that having a Catholic foundation has been a blessing in her life and has empowered her. She is not afraid to challenge herself, knowing that God is there for her.
“It's taking that leap of faith and trusting that everything is going to be okay, because everything revolves around God,” said Leslie. “If you're in a school that is based on Him with people who care, it's truly a blessing.”