FUTURES IN EDUCATION CHANGING LIVES THROUGH THE GIFT OF EDUCATION 2016 ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT WHY FUTURES? SINCE 1989, $93 million in scholarships HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO STUDENTS IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS. FROM OUR CHAIRMAN AND VICAR FOR DEVELOPMENT Every day, Futures in Education has a powerful impact on the lives of over 4,600 children in our Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens. Our schools don’t simply educate students; they perform miracles, changing the lives of thousands of children and their families with the gift of a Catholic education in some of the neediest communities across our two boroughs. OUR MISSION We can only do this important work because of people like you, people who give The mission of Futures to make an impact. in Education is to Turn the pages of our Annual Impact Report and be amazed at the achievements, ensure that the gift of big and small, that showcase why your support of Futures in Education plays a an excellent Catholic critical role and impacts thousands of families in need across Brooklyn and education continues Queens. Since 1989, we have demonstrated that anything is possible when we to be a viable option unite in support of Catholic education, and we have worked to share the stories of for current and future families struggling to provide their children with a Catholic education where generations of deserving strong moral values and quality academics are vital parts of the student students in Brooklyn and Queens. We experience. Thanks to your generosity during the 2016 academic year, Futures in provide assistance to Education was able to ensure the bright futures of 4,600 students with funding the neediest of those allowing them to attend a Catholic school in Brooklyn and Queens, totaling nearly students, through $7 million in tuition assistance. endowment funds and We thank our board members, donors, principals and Academy leaders. You bring fundraising programs the mission of Futures in Education to life, changing lives for the better, forever. that focus on key We look forward to joining you as together, we give the gift of a Catholic education educational priorities. to those in need in Brooklyn and Queens! Sincerely, In Christ’s Peace Robert B. Catell Rev. Msgr. Jamie J. Gigantiello Chairman of the Board Vicar for Development Diocese of Brooklyn CHANGING LIVES THROUGH THE GIFT OF EDUCATION 2016 BY THE NUMBERS 2016 TOTAL AWARD $6,939,166 DOLLARS GIVEN 7,247 4,606 NUMBER OF APPLICANTS TOTAL STUDENTS WHO 3,137 (68%) RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS OF OUR 2016 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS COME FROM FAMILIES QUALIFIED FOR THE FREE OR REDUCED SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM $29,000 IS THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME $1,506 AVERAGE SCHOLARSHIP 2 STUDENTS SUPPORTED 705 THROUGH THE BE AN ANGEL TO A STUDENT PROGRAM ANGEL 250 DONORS ELEMENTARY CATHOLIC 86 ACADEMIES OR SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS 18 IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS ENROLL 104 MORE THAN 38,000 STUDENTS 3 STUDENTS SPOTLIGHT WHY NICOLETTA LAGRECA, an eighth grader at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy in Gravesend has been attending since her early days in Mommy and FUTURES? Me classes and has been a part of the Angel program since 2014. She will be continuing her Catholic education next year at Bishop Kearney High School, where she has received music, honor and principal scholarships. Her Catholic education IN THE LAST SIX YEARS is of great importance to her, “It gives me a sense of community and family which ALONE, WE HAVE makes me happy to go to school every day.” AWARDED MORE THAN Nicoletta hopes to be an artist someday, but as an “A” student who excels in all of her classes, her options are numerous. Recently she had the opportunity to be Principal for a Day. Mrs. Meghan Sarno, the current principal, guided her through the day which they ended by collaborating on the letter to the graduating class that is to appear in the year book. “We discussed the common themes that our 32,000 messages shared, and debated what to leave and what to add. In the end we had a great message to this year’s class.” Mrs. Sarno hopes the day gave Nicoletta “a taste of the variety of things a principal has to contend with on a daily basis and SCHOLARSHIPS maybe it will give her an idea for a future career!” Nicoletta is grateful to her Angel for the help she and her family needed that allowed her to stay at Our Lady of Grace and have these wonderful experiences. “None of this would have been possible without the Angel program. Our Angels have allowed us to do all of this. They have given us one of the best gifts that we could ever ask for, a Catholic education.” Nicoletta Lagreca at the 2017 Angel Reception with her Angel Vincent Iannelli. 4 ANTHONY and ANDREW LABARBARA ANGIE BERMEO an 8th grader at Ss. Joachim attend Our Lady of Grace Catholic Academy in and Anne in Queens Village, wants to continue her Gravesend. The 14 year old twins are dedicated to their Catholic education into high school and be a doctor or a education and to their faith. Andrew was recently veterinarian so she can help others and share the core accepted to Xavier High School, while Anthony has values she has been taught at her school: goodness, been accepted to Regis faith, excellence, integrity, community service High School. Andrew said and the love of Christ. Angie has been a part of of his acceptance, “To the Futures in Education Be an Angel to a get into such a great Student program since 2014. school like Xavier just Angie’s family migrated from Ecuador 15 years meant the world to me ago to settle in her Queens neighborhood. because I love my The transition was not an easy one, but the education and just want importance of a Catholic education to her to keep growing and be parents was paramount. They have instilled in a better person.” Angie a quote from Saint John Paul II, “The Both the boys have future starts today, not tomorrow.” served on their 14-year-old twins Anthony and Andrew Angie is the oldest of four children and is aware student council as Labarbara at their Gravesend home. that it would be impossible for her parents to representatives, showing send her to Catholic school without the help of her their interest in serving their community no matter Angel for whom she prays every night. “I know my the size. Anthony says, “I think of the community as Angel and Futures in Education have given me an my family.” The twins serve as altar servers and have opportunity to learn and grow.” Angie and her two felt that they are able to serve their community while younger sisters all attend Ss. Joachim and Anne, her learning more about their faith. “Along with my little brother is not yet school age. Her favorite subjects education, my faith is very important to me,” Anthony are math and science. says. For this reason, both boys are excited to be continuing with a Catholic education. They have After eight years at Ss. Joachim and Anne, put what they have learned in school and in church Angie will continue her Catholic to good use as Boy Scouts, participating in education, and has been awarded fundraisers and volunteering to cook Thanksgiving a full scholarship to attend dinner for the homeless. St. Agnes High School next year. Angie credits her Angel, Looking towards the future Anthony would like to her family and become a NICU surgeon, wanting to help children who, God’s Grace for like himself, were in the NICU as infants, while Andrew, the opportunity who loves to read in his free time, may choose to be a and education writer or an engineer. she has Anthony and Andrew are excited about the next step received in their education but both will miss Our Lady of Grace thus far. Catholic Academy and all the wonderful experiences they had there. Angie Bermeo at her school Ss. Jochim and Anne Catholic Academy 2016 SNAPSHOT 2016 was a busy year for Futures in Education. Take a look at some of our highlights! Angel Reception APRIL 2016 While exploring The Hall of Science more than 300 students had the opportunity to meet, thank and interact with the Angel donors who fund the scholarships that allow them to receive a Catholic education. Joe DiMaggio Award Dinner MAY 2016 Recognizing former New York Yankee pitcher Mariano Rivera, In partnership with Columbus Citizens Foundation, significant funds were raised towards high school scholarships. Angels on the Fairway MAY 2016 After a beautiful day on the links guests gathered under the tent for an evening of 6 food, fun and fundraising, raising over $350,000 towards scholarships. 2016 Annual Scholarship Dinner OCTOBER 2016 A record breaking $2.4 million was raised towards scholarships by over 1,000 guests at New York’s iconic Waldorf Astoria on October 24th. Gina Argento, President of Broadway Stages; Guy Chiarello, President of First Data Corporation; and Peter Ward, President of the New York Hotel & Motel Trades Council, AFL-CIO; were honored at the dinner for their tireless efforts and dedication to bettering the lives of children in Brooklyn and Queens. Spirit of Christmas Concert DECEMBER 2016 Over 2,700 guests gathered at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall on December 12, for Futures in Education’s Spirit of Christmas Concert featuring Sister Cristina Scuccia of Italy’s The Voice and the New York Tenors, raising $1 million in scholarships. 7 2016 DONORS On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we thank our generous donors for your overwhelming support and commitment to ensuring the future of Catholic education in Brooklyn and Queens.