Local Organizations Benefit from Catholic Initiative's GrantsGrowing up in a Spanish-speaking household, Angel Villa might have had a rough time when he started school--but from kindergarten through sixth grade, he received some extra help from the Orangethorpe Learning Center. "First, second, third grade I was doing poorly in school, but the Orangethorpe Learning Center helped me increase my language in English," recalls Villa, now a senior at Buena Park High School and a paid tutor at the center. "Fourth grade, fifth grade, sixth grade, I just started getting all these honor roll awards. In eight grade, I graduated in fourth place for the whole school. "I feel that Orangethorpe Learning Center has played a major role in my life, and I hope that we can continue doing that for many students." On July 11, the Fullerton center was one of five Orange County nonprofit organizations to receive a grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), Father Mike Heher, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Orange, presented grants totaling $32,000 at the Marywood Pastoral Center. CCHD is an initiative funded by donations from Diocese of Orange parishioners through the annual November collection, a nationwide effort by the CCHD that calls on the faithful to donate for both local and national grants that fight poverty. In addition to the learning center, this year's recipients include Hope Community Services, Inc., Mary's Shelter, the Orange County Congregation Community Organization (OCCCO), and American Family Housing (Self-Help Interfaith Housing). |
Organizaciones Locales Reciben Becas de la Initiativa CatólicaCreciendo en un hogar de habla española, Ángel Villa podía tener dificultades cuando comenzó la escuela--pero desde el kinder hasta el sexto grado, recibió ayuda extra del Orangethorpe Learning Center. "Primer, segundo, tercer grado no hacía bien en la escuela, pero el OLC me ayudó a mejorar mi inglés," recuerda Villa, ahora en su último año en la Buena Park High School y un maestro empleado en el centro. "Cuarto, quinto y sexto grado, comencé a recibir diplomas de la lista de honor. En el octavo grado, me gradué en cuarto lugar de toda la escuela. "En mi opinión, el Orangethorpe Learning Center ha jugado en gran papel en mi vida, y espero que sigamos haciendo igual para muchos estudiantes." El 11 de julio, el centro en Fullerton fue una de cinco organizaciones no lucrativas del condado de Orange que recibieron una beca de la Campaña Católica para el Desarrollo Humano (CCHD). El padre Mike Heher, Vicar General y Moderador de la Curia para la Diócesis de Orange, presentó becas para un total de $32,000 en el Centro Pastoral Marywood. La CCHD es una iniciativa apoyada por donaciones de los parroquianos de la Diócesis de Orange por medio de la ofrenda de noviembre, un esfuerzo nacional de la CCHD que pide que los fieles donen para becas locales y nacionales que combaten la pobreza. Además del centro de aprendizaje, los recipientes de este año incluyen Hope Community Services, Inc., Mary's Shelter, la Organización Congregacional Comunitaria del Condado de Orange (OCCCO), y American Family Housing (Self-Help Interfaith Housing). |
On July 11, Father Mike Heher presented grants totaling $32,000 on behalf of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Pictured here are representatives of the benefitting organizations. Back row: Deacon Jim Merle, Diocesan Director of Catholic Campaign for Human Development; Mark Freeman, Self-Help Interfaith program graduate and volunteer; Father Mike Heher. Middle Row: Chuck Carey, Orangethorpe Learning Center chairman of the board; Rusty Kennedy, Orange County Congregation Community Organization (OCCCO) boardmember; Sherril Svalstad, Self-Help Interfaith Program Co-Director; Barbara Nelson, Mary's Shelter Executive Director; Berni Neal, Mary's Shelter president. Front row: Angel Villa, OLC graduate and tutor; Kitty Jaramillo, OLC treasurer; Regina Martinez, OCCCO Executive Director. | |