Catholic Education foundation

Paola

Paola is a recent eighth-grade graduate from St. Raphael School in Santa Barbara who had transferred to Catholic school in the middle of her sixth-grade year. She had always excelled in math but her focus on academics had taken a turn due to some experiences at her former school. Things at school were reaching a breaking point and a change needed to happen.

“I was on my lowest state during that time. I was alone,” said Paola.  

Paola’s mom, Marcela, knew that this couldn’t continue and needed to find a solution to place Paola in a different environment.

“The situation was very difficult for our family because she didn’t even want to go to school. She didn’t want to do anything,” said Marcela

Marcela and her family relocated to the Santa Barbara area a few years ago, after her husband lost his Bay Area restaurant, due to the pandemic. They have been struggling to recover from the loss, rebuilding their lives. Living in an active Catholic household, Marcela turned to the church and St. Raphael’s principal, Michelle Limb. She learned of the Catholic Education Foundation’s New Enrollment Initiative and that gave her a new hope. Due to the dire situation that Paola was in, she transferred mid-school year, and her younger brother followed the school year after.

“It has been great having both here so they could continue school in a Catholic environment. It’s been so much better for them, and they are safe,” said Marcela. “They’ve done well in their studies and our family is doing so much better because of the school. Our children have learned a lot about religion, and they are able to come home and explain parts of it to the rest of our family. I’m very grateful to the donors because truth be told, if it weren’t for them, they wouldn’t be able to be in a Catholic school.”

Paola noticed a positive difference at her new school almost immediately. She was welcomed by her classmates, received help from teachers and felt like she belonged at St. Raphael.

“I love the teachers. They actually care about you and check up on you. Everyone has been very welcoming. I was able to make friends immediately,” said Paola. 

St. Raphael principal, Michelle Lim, described Paola’s first days at her new school as being extremely introverted but transformed quickly after.

“She was balled-up with her shoulders hunched and her head down.  No confidence. She was sad.  Quiet. Just withdrawn from everybody,” said Principal Limb. “Within weeks, you could see the sparkle in her eye and her smile come back. She is happy and she is engaged. She is learning and loving life. We really brought that life back to her and gave her a place where she could feel loved and welcomed. Your investment (in this student) is going to be forever with her. It’s life giving. It really is.”  

Paola graduated from St. Raphael School this past school year and we are happy to report that she will be able to continue her Catholic education at Bishop Garcia Diego High School, thanks to continued tuition assistance from CEF and additional tuition assistance from other sources.  

In addition to the appreciation that Marcela expressed, Paola spoke of her gratitude to our donors.

“Thank you very much! Because without this… at one point, I just didn't really feel like going to school anymore. I want to thank the donors because without them, I would be in the same situation I was in before. I just really couldn't do that,” said Paola. “So, I thank them very much, and hopefully they're living a good life, too.”

A Catholic education became a life-changing, motivational source of growth and service for recent graduate, Charles, from St. Bernard High School, located in Playa del Rey. He began his Catholic education in fifth grade at Transfiguration Catholic Elementary School, located in the Leimert Park area of Los Angeles. Charles recalls the fruits of Catholic education being twofold, in his rich faith formation, and in the teachers who were truly invested in him.

When the time came for high school, Catholic school was not necessarily looking as though it was in Charles’s future. He and his mom live in a one-bedroom apartment and were at a crossroads on whether they could afford a Catholic education.

Thankfully, Charles had additional support from his aunt and grandmother. They truly believed in him and wanted him to continue his Catholic education. Together, they reached out to St. Bernard High School and with the help from the Catholic Education Foundation and St. Bernard, Charles was able to enroll his freshman year at the Catholic high school.

He admits that before going to St. Bernard, he just figured he would attend a local high school, and upon graduating, he would be free to do whatever he wanted. College was not in sight at that point. All of that changed once his education began at St. Bernard High School.

“That's when I first became a straight-A student. It definitely was a big shift in my life. I am not sure I would be where I am without my teachers,” said Charles. “I could tell they really did care about my education. I never thought of college until I got to St. Bernard’s, and it was definitely because of the teachers. They had a deeper goal for me.”

Charles was not able to be involved in extra curricular activities until his junior year as he needed to hurry home the previous years to help care for his mom, who was afflicted with medical conditions. Playing on the football team, serving as a teacher’s assistant at Transfiguration, and a theater production manager at St. Bernard’s, Charles was determined to make an impact and not waste an ounce of the gift of his Catholic education.

“Luckily, she's been doing a lot better. So my junior and senior year, I've been able to participate a lot more in my school community,” said Charles.

While at St. Bernard, Charles became involved with a college preparatory program that serves students who live in compromised environments and under-resourced communities. The group helped guide him through the path to college. It was there that he learned of Middlebury College and found it to be the perfect fit, and all of his focus was on getting admitted to his dream school.

With the assistance of his college counselor at St. Bernard, Charles was selected to participate in a pre-collegiate program. This program grouped ten students from diverse backgrounds of ten cities throughout the United States, who are set on applying to the same university. This was beneficial as Charles was accepted to Middlebury College, in Vermont, and already knew nine other students from the program. Charles is receiving a full four-year scholarship to major in Math at Middlebury, the alma mater of CEF Trustee Charlie Gaffney.

“I shouldn’t waste my ability to do great things. Not only should we let the environment change us, but make sure that we change the environment that we are a part of too,” said Charles. “To the donors of CEF, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Words aren’t enough to express my thanks.”

When Vanessa started her Catholic school journey, she quickly found herself immersed in the Pomona Catholic High School community. Vanessa was inspired by the strong Catholic education her sister received, having attended Pomona Catholic before her.

"My sister had a great experience here. The teachers were amazing, guiding her through all four years and helping when she struggled,” said Vanessa. “I love the faculty and the sense of community and knew I wanted to go here."

One of the biggest changes Vanessa observed was the size of the school. In the past, she recalled having classroom sizes that reached 50 students. So coming to Pomona Catholic was a positive change for her. She quickly noted how accessible and supportive her teachers were.

“It was really nice because it feels like the teachers really know you one-on-one. They know when you're struggling and how to help you,” said Vanessa.

It is Vanessa’s nature to get involved, and she did not hesitate to do so at Pomona Catholic. She ran for Associated Student Body (ASB) her freshman year and held a role all four years in student government, graduating her senior year as Executive Vice President. She was also active in the ambassador program and served as Executive Secretary.

Despite an injury that ended her short-lived cross-country journey in her freshman year, she remained committed to high school athletics. Recognizing a need, she revived the golf team in her junior year, even though she had never played the sport.

“I felt the need to get into a sport. My math teacher is a golf coach, so I went up to him, with my friends, and asked if there was any chance we could start the golf team up again,” said Vanessa. “He let us do that, and I've been golfing since then.”

Her favorite involvement during her time at Pomona is the Make-A-Wish club, dedicated to fundraising for children with critical illnesses. Serving as president during her senior year, Vanessa remembers the joy she and her school felt when the club raised over $9,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of LA.

“There was a child whose wish was to go to San Diego and see marine life. We donated our raised funds and she was able to go on that trip through the Make-a-Wish Foundation,” said Vanessa. “After, we brought the whole school to the auditorium and showed a video compilation of the girl’s trip. It was very emotional and a good experience to be a part of.”

Academically, Vanessa successfully completed Pomona Catholic’s Dual Enrollment program. The program is in partnership between the school and Mt. San Antonio College, located in Walnut, for Pomona Catholic students to take college courses while still in high school, and at no cost.

Vanessa started her freshman year at the University of Southern California this fall, with the aspiration of becoming a nurse. She realizes the difference that being able to attend Catholic school has made in her life and is forever grateful.

“You’ve really made a huge difference in my life and my family. Without your generosity, I definitely wouldn’t have been able to continue my education,” said Vanessa. “I'd really encourage you to consider continuing to donate and support this foundation because it helps kids like me and their families. I don't think there are words to put in, like how grateful I am for this organization. Thank you.”

Leslie found Bishop Conaty – Our Lady of Loretto High School, located in the Pico-Union neighborhood, to be a dream, and the New Enrollment Initiative (NEI) an answered prayer.

“I believed Catholic school was a dream, far from reality. My family, financially, wasn’t able to provide that for me, and with my other two siblings, including my disabled brother, I never imagined being here,” said Leslie.

Leslie had never really thought about the possibility of attending Catholic school until a moment when she was playing in a basketball tournament held at Bishop Conaty. She fell in love with the school and the dream of attending the all-girls school began.

“I prayed to God and asked Him. I knew He would provide for me, and a day later I talked to the school’s vice principal and learned about NEI. I said ‘God is so good!’ He knew exactly what I needed,” said Leslie. “I knew that with prayer and with CEF, I was going to be able to come here.”

Enjoying the opportunities made available to her at Bishop Conaty, Leslie noted her favorite class was the Music Academy, where she was trained in the full spectrum of musical production. She became very involved with her school and was in City of Saints, Campus Ministry, ASB and played on the basketball and softball teams.

Discipline, respect, faith and safety are words that represent Bishop Conaty for Leslie.

“Here you’re held accountable for attendance, and with our uniforms, we are all equals, and I love that. I feel safe here,” said Leslie.

At Bishop Conaty, Leslie found Christ at the heart of Bishop Conaty.

“When I entered Bishop Conaty, I was astounded at seeing all the people who believe in the same Person, in Jesus,” said Leslie. “A Catholic education for me is everything, and being in a school that can promote that is such a blessing.”

Leslie is currently attending Santa Monica College with plans of transferring to a university in two years. She is extremely appreciative of the opportunity that she received of being able to attend Catholic school and she realizes that it would not have been possible without the support of the Catholic Education Foundation and our donors.

“You’re a miracle. The summer before I transferred, I was so lost and I didn’t know what my next step was. Because of your contributions, you have shifted my life, my academics, and have opened my eyes to so many new experiences,” said Leslie. “Because of your contribution, there’s so much progress in my life and in my family. Thank you so much!“

Giovanni graduated this past school year from Bishop Mora Salesian High School, in Boyle Heights, with a wealth of experience. He was selected to the Evans Scholarship program, an opportunity made available by Salesian. The Evans Scholarship, presented by the Western Golf Association (WGA), sends talented young golf caddies in need of tuition assistance to a four-year institution on a full scholarship. Giovanni spent three of his high school summers on a golf course in Glenview, Illinois, about 20 miles north of Chicago.

"It was my first time away from home, my first time flying, my first time on a plane. I was scared, but it was such a great experience,” said Giovanni.

Despite being a lifelong soccer fan with no knowledge of golf, Giovanni decided to pursue the program. He was housed at Northwestern University and worked as a caddie six days a week. This unique opportunity not only introduced him to the game of golf, but it offered the chance for Giovanni to develop skills. One thing that has stuck with him has been learning how to interact with working professionals, while out on the golf course.

"My first two weeks, I was shy. However, I quickly learned how to spark up conversations with the members. Not only is it more enjoyable to pass the time, but I learned how to interact with diverse people," said Giovanni.

In addition to caddying six days a week, the WGA summer program requires students to do SAT/ACT prep on their off days, emphasizing the importance of education alongside the hard and soft skills learned on the links. Giovanni was selected for the prestigious scholarship as one of only four chosen from the state of California.

A four-year honor roll student, Giovanni is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science at Marquette University in Wisconsin with a full Evans Scholarship. He is the first in his family to attend college.

Giovanni reflected on the significant impact his Catholic education has had on his faith. He is very appreciative of the opportunity the Catholic Education Foundation provided by making it possible for him to attend Salesian. His faith has been a cornerstone during his time at Salesian, and he sees it as a lifelong relationship with Christ.

"It has improved my connection with my faith. I grew up Catholic, but we stopped going to Mass. Coming to Catholic school has made my faith grow stronger, and now we go to Mass more often,” said Giovanni. “My faith in Christ has helped me get through a lot of family struggles and personal problems, and it’s something that will stay with me for the rest of my life."

For recent St. Genevieve Parish Schools graduate, Kailyn, Catholic education is all that she has known. Starting in kindergarten and graduating her senior year as ASB Executive President, Kailyn took full advantage of what was afforded to her at her Panorama City school. Her parents and grandparents have always placed a big emphasis on education.

“It has been one of the best decisions of my life,” said Kailyn.

Kailyn was able to excel in her studies and participate in the Dual Enrollment program that St. Genevieve offers to high school students, where she was able to take college courses through a partnership with Los Angeles Valley College.

“I just committed to UC Berkeley for a B.S. in Psychology. As I begin college in the fall, I will be entering as a second-year student because of the Dual Enrollment program,” said Kailyn. “After my bachelor’s, I will continue my education with the goal of becoming a pharmacist.”

Kailyn found her passion from a personal encounter during her childhood when she helped care for her grandmother. Those moments fueled her passion to pursue medicine.

At St. Genevieve, Kailyn was involved in choir, served as a student ambassador, was a supervisor of the broadcasting studio, captain of the girls dance team and student manager for the football team. Now at UC Berkeley, Kailyn hopes to continue her leadership in on-campus clubs and involvement in the performing arts.

“I hope to join a Filipino club. I really take pride in who I am, and I have always dreamed about being a part of PCN (Pilipino Culture Night), which a lot of different colleges offer,” said Kailyn. “I would also like to continue with my performing arts side, being involved in music and theater.”

Kailyn holds a great appreciation for the leadership development opportunities she received at St. Genevieve and cites her involvement with The Association for Catholic Student Councils, a week-long program for high school students, as a key factor.

“I grew in leadership and came out of my shell in ways I didn’t imagine,” said Kailyn. “I also loved getting to return the following summer to lead as a counselor.”

Kailyn recognizes how the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) helps so many families like hers and is very grateful for the opportunities the tuition assistance has given her.

“Thank you to all of the donors. I love how CEF offers assistance to families who need it. CEF provides that sense of support and comfort for families who need it and for students who have the passion of going far with their education,” said Kailyn. “I believe that any student here is just as passionate as I am about making their parents proud by doing something big with this kind of opportunity. CEF truly helps all families like me who can benefit from the assistance, so that we could achieve that Catholic education.”

Mark started attending Catholic school in the seventh grade and is not only thankful for the stronger faith that he developed but also for the academic and co-curricular activities made available to him. In fact, he pioneered an esports (electronic sports) program at Bishop Mora Salesian High School, where he graduated this past school year.

While in middle school, Mark transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes School in East Los Angeles. Having his faith incorporated with his education had a profound impact on not only Mark but his family as well. Though the transition to the Catholic environment was a challenge at first, he recalls the hospitality of his teachers.

“They didn’t just teach me prayers, but they taught me what they meant. It was the first time someone cared for me in that way, not just in my learning but for me as a whole,” said Mark. “I also brought that tradition to pray before meals to my family, and it has stuck to this day.”

Upon enrolling into Salesian for high school, the global pandemic quickly shut schools down, sending all students to take virtual classes from home for the entirety of Mark’s freshman year. Seeking community, Mark asked his principal if he could start an esports program at Salesian and he received the green light to move forward with his vision.

“Esports was a gateway to making connections with others who found making friends difficult. Having esports or a game as something in common that connects you made connection easier,” recalled Mark.

The virtual tournaments centered around the globally famous video game, Fortnite. The esports program at Salesian quickly took off. As Mark described, it fostered “a sense of hope and community in the midst of COVID.”

When Salesian returned to in-person learning, the esports program continued to grow and Salesian built an esports computer lab in the school. The team at Salesian now competes nationally, holding six championship trophies to date.

Mark’s involvement in the Salesian community did not stop there. Serving on the boards of the Associated Student Body (ASB), National Honor Society (NHS) and in the Big Brother mentorship program, Mark credits the Catholic education atmosphere for his leadership opportunities.

“I felt confident in being in leadership at Catholic schools” said Mark. “I felt free to make mistakes, and that’s so valuable in leadership.”

Mark frequently mentioned his goal-oriented motivation, fostered first by his family. His long-term goal is to become the CEO of a business that gives back to the community, with an eye on potentially returning to Boyle Heights.

“I want to show that there is another side to Boyle Heights, a place where leaders are developed to be leaders of tomorrow,” said Mark.

Mark is very appreciative of the opportunities he has received thanks to the Catholic Education Foundation and the Catholic schools he was able to attend. Mark is currently enrolled in his freshman year at the University of Notre Dame, studying in the Mendoza College of Business.

Catholic education was an important stepping stone into a future rooted in service for recent Sacred Heart High School graduate, Ashley. She began her Catholic education in kindergarten, attending Immaculate Conception School, located just outside Downtown Los Angeles. After eighth grade, she matriculated to Sacred Heart High School, located in Lincoln Heights.

Sacred Heart opened Ashley to a plethora of opportunities to serve her school community. Involved in student government, Serve Always Club, and the Student Leadership Team, Ashley resolved to give back tenfold what her community has given to her.

One of her most significant service involvements included serving on the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council, a cohort of high school students dedicated to promoting change in the City of Los Angeles through research and a capstone proposal to the mayor’s office. Ashley’s team worked on finding solutions to alleviate homelessness in the greater LA area.

In addition to service, Ashley participated in the dual enrollment program offered at Sacred Heart High School.

“I got to take Applied Business Data Analytics and Project Management courses through Arizona State University and Santa Monica College. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to pursue higher education while still in high school,” said Ashley.

Her academic pursuits paid off as she graduated as valedictorian of her class, crediting Immaculate Conception School and Sacred Heart High School for her college preparation. Ashley set four personal goals during her first year at Sacred Heart and wrote them all on a Post-it Note. Her goals were to get good grades, make friendships, get involved with her school and to graduate as valedictorian. Needless to say, Ashley checked off all four of her goals.

“Going to Catholic school prepared me to take rigorous classes with teachers who were really focused on helping the students succeed and with students here who also encourage one another to do better. I am so grateful for this opportunity from CEF and its donors,” said Ashley.

During her junior year, Ashley applied for the College Prep Scholars Program, which is a program presented by Questbridge and focuses on creating opportunities for high-achieving high school juniors from a low-income background. It prepares students in the program with knowledge, confidence and resources to connect with the nation's most sought-after colleges.

Through the Questbridge program, Ashley is attending Rice University in Texas on a full scholarship majoring in Business with aspirations of becoming an entrepreneur in the hedge fund industry.

Abraham’s sense of brotherhood began by following in his older brother’s footsteps by attending St. Helen Catholic School, in South Gate. Though the distance to his Catholic school meant a daily hour commute, Abraham recalls that the sacrifice was worth it.

“For our family, faith is a big part of our lives,” said Abraham. “To be able to practice it at school is a gift. It's not something you can get anywhere else.”

He continued his education at Cathedral High School, located just outside of Chinatown, where he graduated this past school year. Abraham’s family's involvement in Catholic schools bridged his two cherished communities, fostering a family grounded in service and prayer.

"I feel I can bring my family here to be active in what the school offers in prayer and serving the community by bringing my family to Cathedral and Cathedral to my home," added Abraham.

His motivation for his studies was driven by the investment that CEF and generous donors made in him. A 4.0 grade point average student and a member of the National Honor Society, Abraham achieved the honor roll throughout his four years at Cathedral.

Beyond the classroom, Abraham found brotherhood in both the cross-country team and the musical theater productions at Cathedral. This past year, he starred as the lead role in the school’s recent rendition of Aladdin. In addition, he served as a news anchor for Cathedral’s student-run news program.

Abraham is now a freshman at Cal State Long Beach, pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. With a grateful heart, he would like to thank the donors for making his Catholic education possible and encourage them to continue to support students like himself.

“Thank you for all that you have done for me to attend Catholic school. Please come visit the campus. I’d love for you to see what we’re doing here and the real impact you are making,” said Abraham.

Daniela and Camila were uprooted from their home in Mexico. Daniela lived in Mexico since she was two years old and it was the only home her younger sister, Camila, knew. A casualty of the pandemic, Daniela and Camila, and their parents had to move back to the United States after their dad had to close his restaurants in Mexico. The family is starting their lives over and living in their grandmother’s home.

Leaving their family and friends behind in Mexico was challenging for the sisters. Through the assistance of the Catholic Education Foundation, they have been able to attend Catholic school and thrive in a welcoming community.

“At first I was nervous but I almost immediately found myself in a welcoming community. And that’s kind of the whole aspect of a Catholic school. I felt like I was at home since the moment I started here,” said Camila, who just graduated from the eighth grade at St. Bernard Catholic School in Bellflower.

Daniela enrolled at St. Joseph High School, an all-girls school, in Lakewood, her sophomore year and needed a little bit of time to adjust. She had just completed her first year of high school in Mexico when she learned that they were moving. It was a little harder for her to transition, but with the help of the St. Joseph students and faculty, she became acclimated.

“In Mexico, they don't offer clubs and there aren't many school activities. So coming here and seeing all of the different clubs and organizations was very interesting. It was great because I was able to pick what I liked and join.

Daniela joined the French Club and Jester Homegirls, a service club that works with Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., and Homeboy Industries. Through her involvement, she was able to develop a solid group of friends at St. Joseph.

Incorporating their faith into their schooling was a new experience for the sisters. They welcomed it and adapted to having their religion being a greater part of their life.

“I've noticed since being in a Catholic school, that I've taken prayer with me throughout the day. I pray every night and before, that wasn't something I used to do,” said Camila.

For Daniela, the support she has received from teachers greatly impacted her.

“The teachers are the biggest thing,” said Daniela. “They always ensure you have the best, or that you’re doing the best.”

Not only has attending Catholic school brought God into their lives, but the sisters recognize that it has also brought them closer to each other. The sisters are very appreciative of being able to attend Catholic school and realize that it would not have been possible without the support of the Catholic Education Foundation and its donors.

“I would say thank you, thank you for giving me the opportunity to come to such a great school that has allowed me to grow to be a better person,” said Daniela.

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful community at Catholic school,” added Camila.

As CJ was about to begin his senior year at St. Bonaventure High School, he reflected on the great community and opportunity he has had to be able to attend his Catholic high school in Ventura. Growing in faith and in friendship with those at St. Bonaventure, he blazes the trail for his younger sister, Madeline, a current freshman at the same co-ed school. His family has become immersed in the St. Bonaventure community.

During his three years at St. Bonaventure, CJ’s faith has grown immensely. His Catholic education has served as a conduit of grace for him, as he received his sacraments of  First Communion and Confirmation this past Easter.

“I’m realizing it. God’s everywhere. He’s in my life and everything. I’ve learned to accept Him into my life,” said CJ.

The siblings’ parents, Christopher and Christina, are grateful of the opportunity the Catholic Education Foundation has provided for their family. With CJ and Madeline being their third and fourth children going through the Catholic school system via the support of CEF, their parents acknowledge that being a part of a Catholic school means more than just a school, but rather a community.

“We, like any parent, want the best for them. You see the difference it makes when children start maturing,” said Christopher.

“For me, it was more of a focus on their education,” said Christina. “With a smaller class size, the teachers tend to spend more time with the students when they need that extra help. I feel as though my kids are receiving a full education at St. Bonaventure.”

CJ recalled his first year at St. Bonaventure being nervous about starting something new. During his sophomore year season, CJ tore his ACL and though it ended his football season, he gained a priceless lesson of gratitude, perseverance and trust in the Lord’s plan.

“At first, it was nerve-racking, going to a new school. But football was an escape. Having that brotherhood and developing it was amazing. We had to rely on each other,” said CJ. “In my recovery, I learned to be grateful, and it turned me to God. It reminds me of Job in the Bible. All these negative things happened to him and he kept his faith strong in his patience and resilience. I love that parable. My hardships taught me patience, like Job.”

Following in her brother’s footsteps, Madeline is also an athlete, with a passion for soccer. The sport serves as an outlet and a gateway into friendships for her. As she begins her freshman year at St. Bonaventure, Madeline looks forward to hopefully playing on the soccer and track and field teams, as well as serving as a student athletic trainer.

CJ, Madeline and their parents are so grateful for the support of CEF and its donors, and thank them for their contributions to their Catholic education.

“Know that it doesn’t stop with the contribution you gave. What you contribute, it comes back tenfold and you never know how many generations it will touch,” said Christopher, the children’s father.

“I'm so thankful,” CJ added. “I feel like they're making an investment into our younger generations. I'm thankful because, without them, my parents would still have a lot more on their shoulders. For CEF to be this outlet and release this pressure from them, it makes a big difference for our entire family.”

Diego

Diego transferred to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish School, Oxnard, in the sixth grade. After Diego had gotten into some trouble by lighting fireworks at his former school, his parents felt that a Catholic school like Our Lady of Guadalupe, with a more structured discipline system and a faith-based education, would be best for Diego.

The smaller class sizes, the support he receives from teachers and the extracurricular opportunities made available to him really made a difference.

“I really like the support here. The teachers offer a lot of help to make sure I understand the lesson,” said Diego. “Plus, it's easy to play on sports teams. I didn’t have those opportunities before.”

Diego’s Catholic education has also influenced his life, including his decision to attend a Catholic high school and his appreciation for the faith-based values instilled in him. He began his freshman year this fall at Santa Clara High School in Oxnard.

“Some stories I hear from the Bible are really interesting to me. I like the morals and ethics of the Bible. I had some occasions where verses from the Bible helped me get through some life situations,” said Diego.

“I am grateful for what CEF and the donors have done. Thank you for giving me a nice Catholic education.”

This past year, we had the fortune of our Trustees welcoming guests into their homes to celebrate the mission of the Catholic Education Foundation. This has been a great opportunity for more people to learn about the impact CEF is making in students’ lives.

The first event took place at the San Marino home of Margie and Trustee Tom Romano, co-hosted with Wendy Lees and Trustee Tom Boyle. Students from Pomona Catholic High School and St. Joseph Catholic School, an elementary school in La Puente, greeted attendees as they arrived. With the gathering being on a beautiful summer Sunday, mass was celebrated by Bishop Marc V. Trudeau, D.D., V.G., followed by an early taco dinner enjoyed by over seventy people in attendance.

St. Joseph Principal, Roger Ranney, spoke about the impact the foundation has made on students at his school, where one-third of the student body is receiving a tuition award from the Catholic Education Foundation. He touched on the opportunities it has offered to students who would not be able to attend Catholic school, otherwise.

The second event was a weeknight cocktail party held at the Brentwood home of Trustee Colleen Pennell and her husband, Chris. The guests enjoyed a beautiful autumn evening of catching up with friends, some of whom attended elementary and high school together, years ago.

Girls from Bishop Conaty - Our Lady of Loretto High School, in the Pico-Union area of Los Angeles, and boys from Bishop Mora Salesian High School, in Boyle Heights, greeted guests as they arrived. Leslie, a senior from Bishop Conaty, spoke about how CEF enabled her to transfer to a Catholic school and grow her faith in God, as a result of her attending the all-girls school.

CEF Trustee Delia Roges along with her husband, Robert, hosted a Christmas cocktail party to help share the mission of the Catholic Education Foundation. Over 50 guests attended the early evening event which included students from St. Bernard High School in Playa del Rey who greeted attendees and shared their personal stories of attending Catholic school.

The featured student speaker of the evening was Anthony, a senior who transferred to St. Bernard his junior year. With his mother being an alumna of the school, it meant a lot for him to attend her alma mater. Anthony emphasized that without the Catholic Education Foundation, he would not have been able to receive a Catholic education.

“We are grateful to our trustees for their leadership and partnership in sharing the impact of our foundation. As a result of these celebrations, CEF raised over $225,000 to support our tuition awards programs,” said CEF Executive Director Doug Cooper.

The Catholic Education Foundation coordinated school tours, visiting elementary and high schools throughout greater Los Angeles. Each school showcased its unique programs and student achievements. This was an opportunity to witness CEF’s impact in action.

The tour of Cathedral High School, located just outside of Dodger Stadium, was led by student ambassadors and Cathedral President Martin Farfan. The guests visited the newly constructed performing arts theater, remodeled gymnasium and their state-of-the-art media studio which enables students to produce a daily news program.

At a roundtable discussion, students shared what the brotherhood experience has meant to their scholastic development and their faith in God. The boys discussed how discipline and growth instilled by Cathedral have factored into their ability to manage multiple roles while attending high school. Most students are active in athletics and clubs at the all-boys school.

The visit to St. Genevieve Parish Schools in Panorama City was a heartwarming experience. The school's unique structure allows students to attend from preschool through high school, and helps create a strong sense of community and continuity. Character education is a key focus, and it is evident the students are living those values as they made our trustees feel very welcome.

Our school tour was led by students and St. Genevieve President-Principal Daniel Horn. Our tour coincidentally took place when the school was having its Veteran’s Day-themed assembly. Veterans in attendance were recognized and received a blessing from the entire student body.

The school tours also included visits to Nativity Catholic School and St. Odilia School, both in South Los Angeles. It was wonderful to witness the impact of the Catholic Education Foundation firsthand and discover the opportunities these elementary schools are offering.

The tour of Nativity was led by their student ambassadors and Principal Teresa Reynoso-Gonzalez. Nativity is a Blended Learning school through a partnership with Loyola Marymount University. Through this partnership, the school incorporates an innovative teaching strategy known as the iDEAL Institute, which provides professional learning in teaching and leadership through the integration of technology for the benefit of all students in the K-12 classrooms.

Nativity Catholic School has over 300 students with more than half of the student body supported by the Catholic Education Foundation.

The tour continued to St. Odilia Catholic School where trustees were greeted by Principal Sima Saravia-Perez and student ambassadors.

St. Odilia offers a Blended Learning program curriculum which includes computer coding being taught in grades first through eighth. In addition, St. Odilia partners with the USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s STEM Outreach Program to enhance the elementary school's science program and integrate Next Generation Science Standards effectively. That approach has been an excellent way to deepen students' understanding of science concepts while also inspiring them to explore careers in STEM fields.

Trustees were able to interact with the students in the classrooms as well as outside on the schoolyards.

The school tour of Sacred Heart Elementary School, located in Lincoln Heights, featured their transitional kindergarten (TK) to eighth-grade students. Sacred Heart Elementary School serves a diverse community rooted in the Dominican Tradition of Prayer.

Students, along with Father Tesfaldet (Fr. Tes) Asghedom, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and Principal Adriana Bronzina, led CEF trustees and representatives from the Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation through the elementary school. In each classroom, students greeted them with hand-written thank-you letters.

Sacred Heart Elementary highlighted its integration of technology with a 1-to-1 iPad and Chromebook program across all grade levels. Their computer lab also serves as the foundation of their STEM program, which includes hands-on experience with 3D printers. The school also shared the progress of its Dual Language Immersion Program, which began in 2021. Starting with TK and kindergarten, students split their day between learning in English and Spanish. Currently, 172 students at Sacred Heart Elementary are CEF recipients.

The tour then moved across the street to Sacred Heart High School’s brand-new gymnasium, where the trustees and Doheny Foundation members were welcomed by a lively school assembly of the all-girls school. With a student body of 300, each grade contributed to the event with songs and activities, engaging their visitors.

Led by Principal Raymond Saborio and CEF recipient students, the students expressed their appreciation of the support from the Catholic Education Foundation by presenting gifts to the trustees and foundation members.

On the school tour of Sacred Heart High School, our attendees were able to view their special art project, Miracles on Mozart. This project transformed a plain white wall outside their gym, which faced Mozart Street, into a vibrant display of artwork inspired by the Seven Miracles of Jesus. The students, several of whom are recipients of the Catholic Education Foundation, painted on seven canvases that now bring life and color to the school campus. Principal Raymond Saborio explained the significance of the project.

"We decided to celebrate the miracles Jesus performed because every day, miracles happen here at Sacred Heart,” said Principal Raymond. “We have seen girls, with serious life challenges, overcome obstacles and we've been able to instill hope and guidance. We've witnessed miracles happen in their lives."

The experience was transformative for the young artists, helping them grow spiritually and personally. Samantha, a student who had transferred to Sacred Heart when she moved to Los Angeles, shared how the project deepened her faith. Her painting, titled, Our Community and the Catching of 153 Fish, reflects on her spiritual journey.

“I was spiritually blind. Working on this piece and being at Sacred Heart has given me the answer. I knew of Jesus, but now I am getting to know Him," said Samantha.

Two other students, Sydney and Camille, worked collaboratively on their pieces and discovered the value of teamwork. As perfectionists, they learned to trust each other's input.

"It was a great opportunity. We were able to give each other advice and encourage each other," said Sydney.

"I became more accepting,” added Camille. “I had my idea in mind, but I realized while working on the painting, it wasn’t just my idea."

The paintings are now on permanent display at Sacred Heart High School, and the public is invited to visit and view the artwork.

The Reynoso sisters come from a legacy of Catholic education. Their mother, Carmen Reynoso, was a teacher at San Miguel Catholic School in Watts. They and their brothers attended San Miguel. Both sisters continued to attend Catholic high schools and colleges. They both serve as principals of Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Maryann Reynoso Davis has been serving as principal of her alma mater San Miguel Catholic School for nearly 20 years. She graduated from Pius X High School in Downey, and earned her bachelor’s at the University of Notre Dame and a master’s in Education from Loyola Marymount University.

Her younger sister, Teresa Reynoso-Gonzalez, is the principal at Nativity Catholic School in South Los Angeles. Teresa also attended San Miguel, graduated from St. Matthias High School in Downey, and completed her bachelor’s degree at Mount Saint Mary’s University and a master’s degree from Loyola Marymount University. In addition, Teresa received tuition assistance from the Catholic Education Foundation to attend San Miguel and St. Matthias.

Both sisters were inspired by their mother to pursue a career in education.

“I knew I always wanted to be a teacher because my

mom was a teacher but it wasn’t until I was in college that I realized I wanted to be a Catholic school teacher,” said Maryann. “I just want the kids to feel what I felt, which was safe, loved and cared for.”

My mom is and always will be my favorite teacher,” added Teresa.

Both sisters could have easily chosen many paths in education, but teaching in the Catholic school system not only feels like home for them, it positions them to make a difference in their Los Angeles Catholic communities, creating opportunities of upward mobility for the next generation. Maryann can even pinpoint the exact moment in her life when she decided that she was going to focus her career on Catholic education. It all came from an impactful moment in a class at Notre Dame.

“That really stuck with me and so I knew I wanted to go back, I wanted to go back to San Miguel and I wanted all of those children to feel what I felt. That you could have a choice in life. That your circumstances that you were born into, would not determine your future,” said Maryann. “So that's the message that I carry with me deeply, that I want all of our children to be happy and successful. For them to know that they have options in life, so that ultimately, they can live good, happy lives, as adults and citizens in our community.”

Teresa is inspired by her big sister and shares a similar sentiment with the Nativity Catholic School community.

“She is my role model, I look up to her in every way,” said Teresa. “Our communities are similar in the sense that we’re both serving communities in need. So it’s a special place for me.”

Nativity has become the perfect place for Teresa.

“I love it because Nativity has become home. I don’t know if I could do it anywhere else,” said Teresa. “I love the community. I love the teachers. I love the kids that we serve and their families.”

The principal sisters both acknowledge how impactful the Catholic Education Foundation has been in so many students’ lives. In addition, both have expressed their appreciation for CEF and the difference it has made in their schools.

“The truth is that without it, we would not be able to operate. Our families would not be able to afford tuition. CEF alone makes up almost 20% of our operating budget,” said Maryann. “It’s the way that Christ works. He shows up in this way for our families. Thankfully, we’ve been running, operating and doing God’s work because of CEF.”

As a former recipient of CEF and now as a principal of a school where over 50% of their student body are CEF students, Teresa shares her sister’s appreciation.

“I’m at a point in my career that whatever I can do to really help share the message of what it is that Catholic schools can do for children like me because I’m thinking of myself as a child. As a recipient myself, my high school years and my elementary school years, I am so thankful,” said Teresa. “Your gift truly is making a difference. More than 50% of our students are recipients. Perhaps the students don’t know it at the moment, but God willing, they come to realize just the way that I did and through that, they become inspired to give back in some way shape, or form.”

In the context of the Catholic Education Foundation, the term "Programs" encompasses a variety of initiatives, both tuition-based, and non-tuition based to support families seeking a Catholic education. The Programs department, led by Associate Director Andrew Garcia and Senior Programs Manager Adrian Barrios, plays a crucial role in managing these initiatives. Their team includes processors and leads who visit school campuses to interact with parents and manage tuition awards.

The primary tuition assistance programs offered are:

• Tuition Awards Program (TAP)
• New Enrollment Initiative (NEI)
• Save Our Students (SOS)

Additionally, there are non-tuition programs such as:

• Big Yellow Bus
• Porteous Sports
• Art Trek

During the 2023-2024 school year, CEF provided over 15,000 tuition awards totaling more than $24 million to students across 215 schools within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. This support has had a profound impact, enabling schools to enhance their learning programs, retain staff, and access additional resources. Even students not directly receiving financial assistance benefit from the broader support that CEF provides to Catholic schools in the Archdiocese.

The Catholic Education Foundation's Tuition Awards Program (TAP) is a core and crucial initiative designed to support financially deserving students attending Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Here's a breakdown of the key components of TAP:

Purpose and Impact:

• TAP provides financial assistance to families with limited income, enabling their children to attend Catholic elementary and high schools.
• The average household income of families receiving this assistance is $40,112, highlighting the significant support provided to those in financial need.

The CEF program office receives approximately 18,000 applications a year for tuition assistance. CEF divides the application review process into cycles beginning in October through June. 

• Cycle 1: Assists rising 8th-grade students preparing to enter Catholic high schools.
• Cycle 2: Focuses on high school students who need financial aid.
• Cycle 3: The largest group of applicants is Cycle 3 focused on students in Pre-K, TK, kindergarten and 1st through 8th grades attending Catholic elementary schools.
• Cycle 4: Focuses on late High School applicants, many of whom are new to Catholic Schools.

The Application Process: 

• Location and Scheduling: Cycles are held at various high school campuses to maximize participation for families, ensuring that the application process is convenient and close to home.
• Appointment System: The family registers online for in-person appointments, which are designed to accommodate their schedules.
• Meeting Structure: Each appointment lasts approximately 15 minutes, where a CEF Tuition Awards Processor reviews the application and verifies if a student qualifies for a CEF tuition award.

Staff Commitment:

• CEF staff work extended hours, including evenings, during these events to ensure they can meet the needs of all families seeking assistance.

This comprehensive approach ensures that financial aid is distributed effectively, reaching the students who need it most while making the application process as efficient and accessible as possible.

The Save Our Students (SOS) program is one of the most impactful initiatives of the Catholic Education Foundation, focused on supporting students facing extreme circumstances. Beyond providing financial aid, the SOS program addresses the needs of children who have experienced severe adversity, including abuse, homelessness, serious illness, or incarceration of a parent.

Founded in 1998, SOS was designed to assist students who were considered "at-risk" due to challenging family or community conditions. In its first year, the program provided scholarships equally between elementary and high school students living in areas throughout the Archdiocese. Since then, the program has grown with increased donor support thanks to the generosity of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.

By the time the first SOS cohort graduated high school in 2006, seven of these students went on to attend universities such as the University of Notre Dame, USC and Cal State Northridge. The opportunity to attend Catholic schools has allowed these children to grow in their faith, develop educational discipline, and receive nurturing support from their educators and peers.

The SOS program not only transforms the lives of the students it supports but also strengthens the community by instilling Catholic values in the next generation, empowering them to pursue higher education and lead faith-filled lives. Through this program, investing in children becomes an investment in the future of the community.

Nereida and Juan are the parents of Christian, a fourth-grade student at St. Raphael School in Santa Barbara. This past school year, Christian lost his six-year-old brother, Jacob, to a terminal illness. Dealing with their son’s illness, Juan needed to stop working and become the full-time caregiver for their younger son while Nereida became the sole provider for their family. Juan tended to their son 24/7, including multiple overnight stays at a Los Angeles hospital, which was 100 miles away from home.

Being overwhelmed with the care needed for their youngest, Christian never went to preschool. When it was time to start kindergarten, Nereida’s sister and mother went to talk to the principal at St. Raphael and learned there was a scholarship option that might be available to Christian. With the help of CEF’s Save Our Students (SOS) program, Christian was able to enroll in Catholic school.

“For us, it is very important for our son to attend a Catholic school because of the size, the Catholic values he develops, and the fact that he gets the one-on-one attention that he would not get elsewhere,” said Nereida.

The smaller classroom size gave Christian the opportunity to express himself and be more connected with his teachers. 

“You can feel the bonds of the families.  Christian has experienced a lot and for him to receive support from the parents, principal, teachers and students, has really made a difference. He receives the love and attention that we are not able to give him when he is away from us at school. We couldn’t get that anywhere else,” said Nereida.

Principal Michelle Limb - St. Raphael School“For Christian, his school is a normal part of his life, and here's a loving place where he can talk about his brother, be sad and even cry as a fourth-grade boy. His classmates know and understand and just really respect and love him unconditionally. I think that speaks powerfully to the SOS program that we have with the Catholic Education Foundation, and how that little extra financial support can really help families in crisis,” said St. Raphael Principal Michelle Limb.

In its third year, the New Enrollment Initiative (NEI) has significantly expanded student enrollment in Catholic schools across the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, thanks to an anonymous donation aimed at increasing access to Catholic education. 

There are two key components to the NEI program. First is the Shea Tuition Award (STA), which offers tiered financial aid based on a family’s financial need and the school’s tuition. The second is the Supplemental NEI which provides a supplement of $500 to $2,000 to CEF’s tuition award for incoming 9th grade high school students. This program has played an essential role in boosting enrollment and generating revenue for Catholic schools.

“There are many schools where enrollment has significantly increased because of the New Enrollment Initiative. Schools have been able to increase programs available for students. This is something that they wouldn't be able to do without this new initiative,” said Special Programs Initiative Specialist Jasmin Ramirez.

Senior Program Manager Adrian Barrios and Jasmin have led the effort, implementing a grassroots marketing strategy to spread awareness. They have visited approximately 200 schools, meeting with principals, pastors and other stakeholders to ensure the program’s integration into each school community.  CEF provides marketing materials and collateral to participating schools as well as other resources to help the schools’ NEI marketing efforts. With the support of the Tuition Awards Process Coordinators, the CEF team has worked countless hours to help process thousands of applications to give children an opportunity for a Catholic school education.

“As this award is transformational to the schools, this award is also transformational to the students that come in through this program,” said Adrian. “Now in their new school, many of them have an opportunity to learn curriculum at the highest caliber, to participate in a broad range of activities, both curricular and extracurricular, that they did not have available to them before.”

Field trips are a cherished part of school life, allowing students to explore new environments, engage with hands-on learning and create lasting memories with their friends. However, for many Catholic schools, the financial burden of arranging transportation for these educational field trips can be a significant hurdle. Thanks to two significant grants from the Steinmetz Foundation and an anonymous donor, the Big Yellow Bus (BYB) program expanded field trips to more schools and students.

This past year, CEF collaborated with The Association of Catholic Student Councils (TACSC) to send fifth, sixth and seventh-grade students from inner-city Catholic schools to a five-day summer leadership program at Loyola Marymount University (LMU). Each day, buses left Catholic elementary schools in South and East Los Angeles arriving at LMU for a day filled with a unique opportunity to develop critical skills such as goal setting, time management, communication and public speaking.

Since 2005, the Big Yellow Bus program helped over 100,000 children participate in enriching field trips which have included college campus tours, experiential and interactive museums, aquariums, theaters, farms and community gardens, opening their eyes and boosting their curiosity about the world around them. 

Chloe, a sixth-grade student from Our Lady of Talpa School in Los Angeles, attended a field trip with her class to the La Brea Tarpits and Museum. She pointed out the benefit of being able to learn first-hand at the paleontological research site, as opposed to just reading about it in school.

“I think being here made a difference because it actually shows the real-life version of it,” said Chloe. “We don't have to see the pictures, we could see it in real life, and here, it shows more about the history.”

For Juan, another sixth-grade student from Our Lady of Talpa, being so close to a tar pit was an experience all on its own. 

“My favorite thing has to be the tar pit. It's just so cool that you could just dig up fossils around this area,” said 

Juan. “It's pretty amazing because I've never seen a tar pit before.”

Schools traveled throughout Southern California for field trips and the demand has grown tremendously. 

Andrea, a student from St. Genevieve Parish Schools in Panorama City, enjoyed her class trip to the Griffith Observatory. 

“It's a different experience from going there with my family,” said Andrea. “I was so surprised to see a really big telescope on this trip. I didn't see that the last time I came.”

The Big Yellow Bus program continues to be a vital resource for Catholic schools, helping to ensure that students can access tools and environments that are not available at school. Our communities are rich learning laboratories, and the Big Yellow Bus program offers unique benefits for diverse learners, making it possible for each experience to solidify and support academic concepts being taught in our Catholic schools. 

Art Trek is a non-tuition program provided by CEF to schools within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, aimed at enriching students through structured art lessons. This program allows students to express their creativity while also gaining insights into art history.

The program is offered in two formats. The first one is structured with Catholic school teachers attending workshops where they are taught the art lesson plans by a professional art instructor. The teachers are equipped with all of the supplies that their students would need to complete the lessons for the semester, and they go back to the classroom to instruct their class on the lesson. The other format is where a professional art instructor visits the class to teach the lesson directly.

The workshops cover teaching philosophies, methods, and strategies tailored to various grade levels. The projects are designed around themes that allow teachers to integrate art projects with cultural and historical education.

Amir, a fifth-grade student at Nativity Catholic School in El Monte, shared what the art projects have meant for him.

“I like art because it's just fascinating in all ways,” said Amir. “I’ve always been a fan of our art classes.”

Juliana Morales, a fifth-grade teacher at Nativity, appreciates how Art Trek teaches the students additional information on the artist and the project.

“It is a big difference. It breaks down the lesson plan and gives you more background details of an artist,” said Juliana. “So you can also elaborate that with the students and engage and make connections with the art piece, instead of just doing the artwork and not having background information on it.”

This CEF program is made possible through the generous support of the Porteous Family Foundation.

The Porteous Sports program, funded by the Porteous Family Foundation through the Catholic Education Foundation, supports two schools annually by providing much-needed sports and playground equipment. This past school year, St. Paul Catholic Dual Language Academy, in mid-city Los Angeles, and Our Lady of the Rosary School, in Paramount, were the beneficiaries. 

Schools selected for the program work within a budget to create a customized wish list for items that benefit their students during recess, physical education classes and team sports. Items like soccer balls, goals and even a ping pong table were presented to the schools, bringing joy to students across all grade levels. 

Ivan, a sixth-grade student at Our Lady of the Rosary, observed how active his classmates were on their first day with the new equipment.

“This is the most active I've seen the school play since I've been going to school here,” said Ivan. “This was the first time I had ever played soccer.”

Allison, a seventh-grade student at Our Lady of the Rosary, was very excited about the new basketballs. She plays on the school’s team and shared how they didn’t have their own basketballs in the past. She also noted that more students were immediately engaged with the new equipment.

“It makes me feel really good seeing everybody play now, and not just walk around at recess,” said Allison. “Thank you Porteous Sports and CEF for the new equipment! We really appreciate it.”

“They're excited about the ping pong table. It's something new. This is going to teach them collaboration, camaraderie, playing nicely and taking turns. So we're super excited,” said Dr. Guzman. “It allows them to learn the rules, take turns and be polite and kind, while learning a different sport.”

As for the rest of the new equipment, Dr. Guzman is very appreciative and points out that the older equipment had seen better days. The new playground gear and balls were very well received.  

“Our boys love to play football and soccer and basketball. The balls are already worn out. I had a student say, ‘These balls have grip!’ So there was a real need. It's exciting for them to have some new material that they'll take care of and play with,” said Dr. Guzman. “Thank you to CEF. They're always looking out for all students’ needs. I truly believe that their purpose is the whole child, and part of it is for them to play, to enjoy and to have the resources and materials that otherwise we wouldn't be able to have.”

Thanks to the generosity of the Porteous Family Foundation, this program continues to impact children’s physical, cognitive and social development by building confidence, resilience, interaction and social skills through the importance of “Play.”

In its sixth year of fundraising for the Catholic Education Foundation, the CEF Racing Team had over 100 people run and walk and collectively raised $133,000 in support of the Tuition Awards Program (TAP). 

“This is nearly three times as many participants as the year before and the largest amount raised in the CEF Racing Team’s history,” said CEF Executive Director Doug Cooper.  

Teachers, parents, students and other supporters of Catholic education participated in either the Los Angeles Marathon, the Charity Half Marathon, the LA BIG 5K or the LA Kids Run. This all took place on St. Patrick’s Day weekend, on March 16 and 17, 2024.

This was the first year that the Racing Team participated in the Kids Run, established for children ages 3-8 years old. It was inspiring to see current CEF recipients giving back by participating in fundraising efforts and running in this event. 

“Part of the success of this year’s CEF Racing Team was the amount of support we received from our partners. This year’s official Racing Team shirt highlighted the 31 sponsors and participating schools,” said CEF Associate Director of Development Dr. Adrien Lopez.

Our Racing Team shirts were on display with all 114 runners wearing them as they ran in one of the four races of the Los Angeles Marathon.

We are grateful to all of our CEF Racing Team members and their supporters for making this the most successful year ever!

The Classroom

In its third year as a recurring donation option, The Classroom has become a convenient way for supporters to contribute regularly, helping to ensure more children can attend Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Donors can choose the amount they wish to give each month, and all contributions are greatly appreciated. For example, a monthly donation of $100 can provide one more student with a Catholic Education Foundation tuition assistance award.

An anonymous Classroom donor shared why they support our mission through this recurring giving program:

“I started my education as a young child in a Catholic school, one of the schools now assisted by CEF. Due to financial pressures, I had to leave and attend a public school. I am pledging to give to this organization on a monthly basis to help young children continue their education and Catholic formation. A child shouldn’t be robbed of the majesty of a Catholic education due to financial pressures outside of their control.“

Planned Giving

Planned giving is an opportunity that involves making a charitable donation to the Catholic Education Foundation at a future date, often through a will or trust. A legacy gift can be made with cash, property, or other assets, such as stocks.

By including a planned gift in their estate plans, donors can make a transformative difference for our students to receive a Catholic education. This difference is often far beyond what might have been possible during a donor’s lifetime.

In 2005, a Planned Giving Committee was formed under the chairmanship of Thomas E. Larkin, Jr. The Legacy Society launched the following year with the committee’s first initiative, “20 for 20.” This campaign successfully raised $20 million in planned gifts for our endowment, marking the foundation’s 20th anniversary in 2007.

We are blessed to continue in this tradition of planned giving opportunities and ask you to consider making a legacy gift to the Catholic Education Foundation to support our future generation of students.

CEF’s long-term goal is to increase tuition award amounts. This can only be done by increasing our endowment and current-use fundraising. I am grateful for the many donors and partners dedicated to our mission and look forward to our work together in the future.

(a) Stock shares in a non-liquid private REIT investment.

(b) Non-liquid investment.

(a) Loss in non-liquid investments.

(b) Funds Tuition Awards and Operating Expenses.

Corporations, Foundations, Organizations and Trusts

We are thrilled to welcome Renee Valdes to our Board of Trustees. Renee joins us with a rich history of dedication to both the Church and her community, continuing a family tradition of service and commitment. Alex Chaves Sr., Renee’s father, is a current member of the CEF Board of Regents and previously served as a Trustee for nine years. Renee is pictured with her father below.

Renee’s journey with Catholic education began early. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in Lakewood and her daughters, Lauren and Raegen, followed in her footsteps, attending St. Philip the Apostle School, Mayfield Senior School and La Salle High School. Lauren and Raegen both graduated from Loyola Marymount University as well. Renee’s passion for Catholic education is reflected in her long-standing support for the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF), a cause close to her heart.

A steadfast advocate of her faith, Renee has been an active member of Legatus for over thirty years and holds the esteemed title of Dame of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Her commitment extends to her role as a past board member of the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders (C.A.L.L.) and her service on various community boards, including Dolores Mission School in Los Angeles, Habitat for Humanity and the Cardinal’s Awards Committee. Additionally, Renee served as co-president and vice-president of the St. Philip the Apostle School PTO Board and contributed to CEF’s Development Committee from 2010 to 2016. Renee also serves as a board member for Discovery Cube Los Angeles.

Professionally, Renee graduated from UC Irvine and is the Executive Vice President of Parking Company of America, one of the largest minority-certified parking companies in the U.S. Her leadership has been pivotal in the company’s growth since its establishment in 1967.

Renee and her husband, Pep Valdes, have been married for thirty years and are proud parents to their daughters, Lauren, 29, a marketing and communications executive, and Raegen, 27, a Child and Family Therapist/Art Therapist. The Valdes family actively participates in the parish communities of St. Philip the Apostle in Pasadena, CA and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Newport Beach, CA.

We are honored to have Renee Valdes join our Board of Trustees and look forward to the valuable insights and contributions she will bring to the Catholic Education Foundation.

Board of Trustees