Charitable donation benefits diocesan schools

By New Outlook 

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Tucson recently received more than $20,000 in donations. One check for $10,000 came from the Knights of Columbus at Santa Catalina Catholic Church, and The Matthew 19:14 Project added $10,773. The resources will go toward supporting exceptional learners in the diocese.  

The Matthew 19:14 Project is a charitable education organization that strives to support students with exceptional needs in Arizona Catholic schools. Every year schools in the Diocese of Tucson and the Diocese of Phoenix can apply for grants to purchase specialized equipment, materials, furniture or to help offset costs for training teachers and staff.  

Jim Pogge, the executive director of the Matthew 19:14 Project said, “We don’t want parents who have children who are exceptional learners saying, ‘I don’t know if a Catholic school can support our child.’ Our goal is to make sure the school is as fully inclusive as it can possibly be.” Catholic schools are often limited in providing certain resources to students who need accommodations to help manage conditions like Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder, or Dyslexia. The goal Pogge said is that all diocesan schools have the tools and resources available to best serve the demographics of students. “We want to elevate the skillsets of every teacher in every school so that when a student comes in with additional needs the teacher says I have the confidence to approach this.” It's the next logical step in furthering a child’s education. “If a family wants a Catholic education there are a lot of financial resources for them. However, if they want a Catholic education for their child with exceptional needs that’s where it gets iffy. We’re here to get rid of the ‘if’.”  

Principals, teachers, and interventionists can apply for the grants each year. The $10,000 award was made possible with additional fundraising efforts by the Knights of Columbus at Santa Catalina Church north of Tucson, a parish that does not have a school. Pogge said, “The Knights Council 12345 of Santa Catalina really championed our cause with fundraising. The Knights have historically had a mission to serve persons with individual disabilities. Their pastor Father Vu also took up a second collection.” According to the Matthew 19:14 Project, all the money raised in Tucson stays in the Diocese of Tucson. “If other councils are interested in supporting students with exceptional needs, we want their help. The more money that comes to us, the more we can distribute. Our goal is to help as many kids as we can,” Pogge said.  

Of the 6,000 Catholic school students in the Diocese of Tucson approximately 10 percent have intellectual, physical, medical, or behavioral needs. Angelina Schmidt, the interim superintendent, said, “These grants have helped and continue to support our schools in meeting the needs of ALL students.  We are so very grateful!”  
You can learn more about the Matthew 19:14 Project by visiting https://matthew1914project.org/