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| Shown with some of the "Najim Scholars" on Sept. 4 are Archbishop José H. Gomez, Hope for the Future benefactor Harvey E. Najim, and Auxiliary Bishop Oscar Cantú.
Leticia Briseno | For Today’s Catholic |
SAN ANTONIO -- Archbishop José H. Gomez, on behalf of Hope for the Future, accepted a $250,000 grant from Harvey E. Najim of the Harvey E. Najim Family Foundation at a gathering at St. Mary Magdalen School on Sept. 4.
This is the largest single gift to Hope for the Future to date and will help 209 Catholic school students in need. Overall, Hope for the Future is assisting 280 families to provide a Catholic education for more than 400 children.
Hope for the Future was established under the guidance of Archbishop Gomez and community leaders as a resource for donors to give eligible families tuition assistance to send their children to the archdiocesan Catholic school of their choice. Hope for the Future was created to assist the archdiocese in establishing a secure and long-lasting commitment to Catholic education.
Archbishop Gomez spoke on the merits of a Catholic school education. He said the archdiocese was blessed this year with the opening of two new Catholic schools -- Pope John Paul II High School in New Braunfels and Our Lady of Grace Academy in Pleasanton. “These are signs of the desire parents have to provide their children with a high quality educational opportunity that is rooted in the teaching and values of the Catholic Church,” said the archbishop.
The prelate explained that Hope for the Future was created in order to help provide financially deserving children assistance in obtaining a first-rate Catholic education. “My dream is that someday, everyone who wants a Catholic education for their children can make that hope a reality,” he said. “But until that hope becomes a reality, we owe it to our children to do all that we can to help them achieve an education that will prepare them to take their proper place in society as inspired leaders in whatever walk of life they may choose.”
Archbishop Gomez then honored several sponsors in attendance for their support of students. Couple that were recognized included Lyle and Sandy Baie, Jim and Beverly Tsakopulos, and Rodney and Mary Ann Olivier.
In describing the quarter of a million dollar contribution from Najim, Archbishop Gomez said the entrepreneur “has invested in the lives of many children in need,” and that he thanked him for his contributions to the future of the city, especially for his support of youth.
Najim, in his remarks, said he couldn’t help but think about his father, who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon at age 14 with only an eighth grade education. The elder Najim wanted all four of his sons to get college degrees, and two of his siblings even pursued graduate studies.
“Students get a better education at a faith based school rather than a public school,” said the donor. He told the 209 Najim scholars seated in front of him that, “The reason my foundation chose to sponsor you was to get the same quality of education my children got – that is my wish for you. You have the advantage to do whatever you want to do in life.”
Since its inception in 2007, Hope for the Future has received over $1 million in donations from many generous contributors, and has helped 634 children with tuition assistance. The archdiocese has an estimated 3,000 children in need of tuition assistance.