It takes funding to support schools with inclusive education. For
several years, one organization has had a special collection in parishes to
help with that cause.
The “Special Kids-Special Needs” second collection in diocesan parishes
supports Porto Charities Inc., a nonprofit that assists people with developmental
disabilities through fundraising, resources, assistance and education.
Porto Charities board member Bill Dalgetty said this collection, held
in approximately 40 parishes throughout the year, helps schools with the added
cost of the program.
The diocese and Porto Charities wants to see 100 percent
participation in the second collection. The week before their special
collections in parishes, Porto Charities will include a bulletin insert with words
of support from Bishop Michael F. Burbidge.
“The mission and work of Porto Charities is inspiring and
effective as it enhances the lives of students with developmental and
intellectual disabilities,” said Bishop Burbidge. “The organization provides
financial resources to our schools which are used to support special education
programs, which exemplify the compassion and love of the Catholic Church.
Relationships are established between students with special needs
and students in the general education population,” he said. “Time and time
again, students at our schools tell me about how wonderful it is to have the
programs supported by Porto Charities in their schools. I hope that this
program can be implemented at even more Catholic schools in this great
diocese.”
Five Arlington diocesan schools have comprehensive special
education programs: Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, Paul VI Catholic
High School in Fairfax, Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Dumfries,
Holy Spirit Catholic School in Annandale and St. Mark Catholic School in
Vienna.
Leo Alonso, founder of Porto Charities, said there is a growing
interest in bringing inclusive programs to more schools. “Right now we have
been contacted by eight schools to start doing inclusive education,” Alonso
said. “We’ve been getting a lot of inquiries.”
Find out more
Contact Porto Charities at info@portocharities.org.