- July 31, 2020 CSJ Institutions
By Jenny Beatrice, Director of Communications
Academic institutions as well as the students and families in their school communities have been hit hard financially by the pandemic. In response, CSJ-sponsored St. Teresa’s Academy (STA) established the Love the Dear Neighbor Emergency Fund to help ensure that no students have to worry about continuing their education due to pandemic-related financial hardships.
STA President Dr. Siabhan May-Washington says that when she became aware that several of the STA families were furloughed or laid off, “It became apparent that we needed to help them, or we would lose beloved members of our sisterhood.”
A campaign to raise money for the fund was held June 22 to 30 and raised nearly $260,000 for the cause. “The development and marketing team and I worked really hard to raise funds,” Dr. May-Washington says.
The first monthly distribution has been given to families in need, and will continue until funds run out. Some of the recipients of the fund expressed their gratitude by saying, “I’m in awe of the generosity to families they don’t even know,” “We can feel the virtual hugs from our STA family,” and “I hope someday I help someone the way they helped me.”
Dr. May-Washington says, “I am so thankful for the tremendous generosity of our community members and donors who helped support our campaign. In turn, they are helping to keep many young women in Kansas City's premier Catholic school.”
Learn more about St. Teresa's Academy at stteresasacademy.org.