Catholic School Advantage Campaign in the News: Fulcrum Foundation Explores Demographic Impacts

The Fulcrum Foundation, which provides financial support for Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle, reported in its recent newsletter about a symposium on intercultural competency in Catholic education.

Among the speakers at the Oct. 25 symposium was Rev. Joseph Corpora, C.S.C., addressing the gathering in his capacity as director of the Catholic School Advantage campaign and director of university-school partnerships for the Alliance for Catholic Education.

"In his presentation, Fr. Corpora explained the need for our schools to respond to the changing demographics of Catholic families and students," said the Fulcrum newsletter's winter edition. "He stressed the importance of embracing the great influx of Latino families in our parishes because they provide a future of hope for our schools and our Church."

Fr. Corpora and other speakers discussed issues such as the call "welcome all ethnically and culturally diverse families" and the need for "practical strategies" that welcome Latino families and empower Latino students.

The Fulcrum Foundation is active in key endeavors for extending the Catholic school advantage to diverse communities—namely, increasing disadvantaged families' access to high-quality educational alternatives. As noted at its website, the foundation provides tuition assistance to families, assistance to schools in need, and support for initiatives that promote academic excellence and faith formation.