Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, Fifth Bishop of Bridgeport, and Foundations in Education recently hosted the Inaugural Leaders of Tomorrow Breakfast Reception at the Catholic Center in Bridgeport.
More than 160 turned out to honor the 49 young Catholic School students who were selected as Leaders of Tomorrow.
Leaders of Tomorrow is a unique program of the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund which provides need-based scholarships to students in Catholic elementary schools who were identified by their principals as students of strong academic standing, good character and possessing leadership potential. Donors to the program transform the lives of children through the gift of Catholic education.
The reception brought together students, their families and principals, and the donors who sponsor a portion of their tuitions.
In her opening remarks, Barbara Ripp, the generous sponsor of 10 Leaders of Tomorrow, shared her motivation for donating to Foundations in Education: “In Matthew 19, Jesus said ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.’ He is speaking to all of us in that verse. My husband Peter and I have chosen to help fulfill that command.”
Foundations in Education is a non‐profit initiative created to assist the Diocese of Bridgeport’s ongoing mission to support Catholic education in Fairfield County by supporting innovation in academic and extra‐curriculum programs, fostering opportunities for the professional development of school leaders and providing tuition assistance to families in need.
To learn more about Foundations in Education or to learn how your gift can help transform the lives of Catholic school students, please visit the Foundations in Education website at: www.foundationsineducation.org.
Pictured from left to right: Foundations in Education Executive Director Holly Doherty-Lemoine, Assumption Catholic School (Fairfield) Principal Steven Santoli, Eighth Grader Joseph Grabowski, Sponsor Barbara Ripp, and Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano