Adobe Stock
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles recently announced a “transformative gift” that will expand access to Catholic education for underserved students in the area.
According to a May 20 press release from the archdiocese, donors Jim and Leslie Belardi and their three children attended Catholic schools in the Orange and Los Angeles counties.
Their gift increases funding for student scholarships and tuition assistance for 8,000 students in the archdiocese, which serves more than 65,000 students.
In addition to providing tuition assistance, the gift will also fund teachers’ professional development, especially teachers working in Solidarity Schools. These schools provide education for underprivileged and impoverished students with limited English proficiency, helping them reach grade-level performance in their math and reading levels.
Paul Escala, senior director and superintendent of schools for the archdiocese, thanked the Belardis for their gift.
“Because of the profound generosity of the Belardi Family,” Escala said, “our schools will be empowered to implement new academic support strategies and expand access to underserved students seeking a Catholic school education in our archdiocese.”
Escala added that the gift will help the archdiocese achieve its goal of becoming the US’ highest-performing Catholic school system by 2030.
Belardi, the CEO and cofounder of Athene, a leading retirement services company, explained why they chose to give to Catholic education.
“Our family has benefited greatly from the academic rigor, faith-based learning environment and sense of community found in the Catholic school system,” he said. “This gift will help ensure that the most vulnerable students have access to a quality Catholic education in the Los Angeles area, positioning the next generation for success.”
>> Catholic schools in Los Angeles take in displaced students, families <<
