CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF FUNDING CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES
May 12, 2017  |  By:   |  Press Releases  |  

—Over 30 years CEF has provided $175 million to help fund scholarships for thousands students from low income families;

CEF boasts 98% graduation rate with graduates going on to college–

The Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) is celebrating 30 years of making a quality Catholic education more accessible. Over the past 30 years, CEF has provided $175 million in tuition assistance to over 162,000 financially deserving students throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. CEF continues to be committed to providing tuition assistance to financially deserving students attending nearly all of the 270 Catholic elementary and high schools within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. This past year CEF supported more than 10,000 CEF scholars.

“The Catholic Education Foundation continues to be light of hope for students and families in our community, said Archbishop José H. Gomez. “It is really amazing the work that CEF does, and it is truly the work of changing lives and changing futures. This will be a beautiful evening to honor some special people and to celebrate the generous spirit of the Catholic community that makes CEF possible.”  

To celebrate 30 years of funding futures, CEF honored Dr. J. Mario Molina with the CEF Cornerstone of the Community Award and Mr. Alex Chacon, Principal of Bishop Mora Salesian High School, with the inaugural CEF Keystone of the Community Award at a special event on the field of the Rose Bowl Stadium last night.

“Dr. Molina and Principal Chacon are exemplary leaders in their respective professions and in the community, and share in CEF’s vision that education is the best pathway to success. We are grateful for their support and feel honored to have them as part of the CEF family,” said Kathy Ash, Executive Director of CEF.

The event, themed “Celebrating CEF’s Champions,” was hosted by the CEF Hispanic Leadership Advisory Board, which is led by Archbishop Gomez, and focuses on building awareness of the value of a Catholic education across all communities in the Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, especially in the Hispanic business community.

The “Celebrating CEF’s Champions” event acknowledged the academic and athletic achievement of CEF scholars, the dedication of Catholic educators, and contributions and support of CEF donors. Student ambassadors, from various Catholic High Schools that achieved an athletic championship during school year, served as ambassadors for the evening, including Paraclete in Lancaster, St. Joseph in Lakewood, San Gabriel Mission in San Gabriel and Bishop Amat in La Puente. The Bishop Amat marching band and cheerleaders provided entertainment throughout the evening.

Jordan Blackman, a St. Genevieve High School (Panorama City) senior and CEF scholar, provided remarks on the impact of CEF on his education and life. Blackman, graduating this May with a 4.83 GPA, is the student body president, a standout football player and is headed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

“I will always remember CEF for helping me on my journey to success,” said Blackman. “Today I am making a small but first gift to a foundation that helped me and helps so many.”

Last year, CEF provided $13.3 million to help fund the Catholic educations of more than 10,000 elementary and high school students from families living at or below the poverty line. Students receiving CEF assistance have a graduation rate of 98 percent and a college attendance rate of 98 percent.

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**NOTE: Photos are available upon request**