CATHOLIC EDUCATION FOUNDATION HONORS LOCAL HISPANIC BUSINESS LEADER FOR COMMITMENT TO CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN THE L.A. ARCHDIOCESE
May 12, 2016  |  By:   |  Press Releases  |  

–Program provides more than $12 million annually to help fund scholarships for thousands of students from low income families; CEF boasts 98% graduation rate with graduates going on to college-

Archbishop José H. Gomez and the Catholic Education Foundation’s (CEF) Hispanic Leadership Advisory Board (HLAB) will honor local business leader Dorene C. Dominguez, CEO and Chairman of Vanir Group of Companies, Inc., for commitment to Catholic education at the annual CEF fundraising event on Thursday, May 12 at the Cathedral Plaza Ballroom at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels from 6-9 p.m. Former Catholic school student and Emmy award winner, Jovana Lara, of ABC 7 will serve as Master of Ceremony.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is committed to making Catholic education a possibility for all families through the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF), which provides tuition assistance to the most financially deserving students. Led by Archbishop Gomez HLAB works to build awareness of catholic education among the Hispanic communities in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

“Catholic education is the Church’s future,” said Archbishop Gomez. “It’s also the key to our society’s future. As our Holy Father Pope Francis said: ‘Young people are the window through which the future enters the world.’”

Through the generosity of many donors and supporters, CEF provided $12.9 million last year to help fund the Catholic educations of more than 9,800 elementary and high school students from families living at or below the poverty line.

Archbishop Gomez will present the inaugural Cornerstone of the Community Award to Ms. Dominguez, a long-time CEF supporter and Catholic education advocate. She founded The Vanir Foundation in memory of her father H. Frank Dominguez. The Vanir Foundation partners with elementary schools to bring innovative programs to children in underserved communities. Ms. Dominguez will also receive a proclamation, honoring her exemplary business, community and philanthropic leadership, presented by Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar.

“Dorene exemplifies everything the CEF Cornerstone of the Community is – and considering all that she’s done for CEF and what she’s accomplished as a community and business leader, it’s only fitting that she is the inaugural recipient of this award,” said Kathy Ash, Executive Director of the Catholic Education Foundation. “It’s important to honor the people who share in our vision and support the mission of CEF. Without their support, our work wouldn’t be possible.”

Sister Stacy Reineman, a Sister of St. Louis and Principal of Nativity School in El Monte for the past 18 years, and CEF scholarship recipient and Nativity School alumnus, Dominic Hernandez, will share their personal stories about the impact of CEF and value of Catholic education. Prior to her appointment at Nativity, Sister Stacy taught in Watts and the rural south, and worked in a clinic in Ghana, West Africa. Sister Stacy works closely with families who have financial hardships and children with learning disabilities, and works every day to realize her vision of making a quality Catholic education available to all who truly desire one.

Since its inception in 1987, CEF has awarded a total of $162 million in tuition assistance. Students receiving CEF assistance have a graduation rate of 98 percent and a college attendance rate of 98 percent.

 

For more information visit cefdn.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and use #cefgives to join the conversation.

 

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