Catholic Coalition for Special Education

Press Release

March 20,2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Barbara Pape
(301) 907-3883
communications@ccse-maryland.org
www.ccse-maryland.org

CCSE’S FIFTH ANNUAL SPRING BENEFIT

Opening Hearts, Opening Minds, Opening Doors

Washington, D.C.: Nearly 300 guests came together to celebrate The Catholic Coalition of Special Education’s (CCSE) fifth anniversary of helping to provide Catholic school educational opportunities to students with intellectual and other disabilities at the Embassy of Italy, under the patronage of H.E. Giulio Terzi, Ambassador of Italy. Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington and Archbishop Edwin O’Brien of Baltimore served as honorary co-chairs. Bishop Barry Knestout, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington gave the invocation. The evening’s invocation was delivered by Msgr. Thomas Kane.

“We are one of a very few organization in the United States trying to fulfill this unmet need,” said Francesca Pellegrino, founder and president of CCSE. “Through our Share the Word campaign we hope to press forward here in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore metro areas, as well as inspire our colleagues nationwide, to open the hearts and minds of our community, and in the process open the doors of Catholic schools so all children can participate in the academic and spiritual traditions of their family.”

Veteran reporter and Maryland Bureau Chief for ABC7/WJLA-TV, Greta Kreuz, served as the Master of Ceremonies for CCSE’s 2010 spring benefit. Kreuz launched the religion beat in 1998, becoming the first full-time religion reporter for a Washington network affiliate, earning much acclaim for her work.

Chris Core, from WTOP Radio, demonstrated his fast-talking skills as CCSE’s auctioneer.

This year’s Spring Benefit honored the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who, along with her Special Olympics, inspired the creation of CCSE. “Mrs. Shriver showed the world that each child, whether he can run fast or not, whether she can read fluently or not, whether he can go to college or not, is special and can contribute to society at large,” said Pellegrino. “She changed the way we all look at people with intellectual disabilities, to help each of us see that their hopes and dreams are not so different from our own. Were it not for Mrs. Shriver’s works, CCSE might not exist,” she added. Special Olympics athletes from around the region attended CCSE’s Spring Benefit, many wearing the medals they have won. The tribute concluded with remarks from Mrs. Shriver’s immediate family.

A highlight of the evening was Ben Stevick, a recent graduate of Mount St. Joseph High School in Baltimore, whose St. Giles program is a CCSE grantee. Through hard work and dedication, Stevick recently received the honor of Eagle Scout, one of the few young men with Down Syndrome to complete the Eagle Scout process. Mount Saint Joe’s was “huge” for Ben, according to his mother, Doris Stevick, who appreciated the high standards and the nurturing of faith. “I saw him teach other boys compassion, understanding and a reverence for life,” she added. Other students from Catholic schools also attended the Benefit.

The demand for Catholic schooling for students with intellectual disabilities remains strong. In 2009, CCSE awarded grants totaling approximately $108,000. However, the group received requests for nearly $400,000. “These requests send a clear message,” said Marguerite Kirst Colston, vice president, Autism Society of American, and CCSE board member. “Families and schools seek CCSE’s technical assistance and monetary awards to allow Catholic schools to appropriately educate students with and without disabilities in the same classrooms.”

CCSE programs designed to help Catholic schools welcome students with disabilities include:


About Us For Schools How You Can Help Tuition Grants News Press Releases The CCSE Spirit Newsletter Photo Gallery Contact Us Online Resources Home	Press Release ‹‹ News Index ‹‹ Press Releases Index March 20,2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Barbara Pape (301) 907-3883 communications@ccse-maryland.org www.ccse-maryland.org CCSE’S FIFTH ANNUAL SPRING BENEFIT Opening Hearts, Opening Minds, Opening Doors Washington, D.C.: Nearly 300 guests came together to celebrate The Catholic Coalition of Special Education’s (CCSE) fifth anniversary of helping to provide Catholic school educational opportunities to students with intellectual and other disabilities at the Embassy of Italy, under the patronage of H.E. Giulio Terzi, Ambassador of Italy. Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington and Archbishop Edwin O’Brien of Baltimore served as honorary co-chairs. Bishop Barry Knestout, Auxiliary Bishop of Washington gave the invocation. The evening’s invocation was delivered by Msgr. Thomas Kane. “We are one of a very few organization in the United States trying to fulfill this unmet need,” said Francesca Pellegrino, founder and president of CCSE. “Through our Share the Word campaign we hope to press forward here in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore metro areas, as well as inspire our colleagues nationwide, to open the hearts and minds of our community, and in the process open the doors of Catholic schools so all children can participate in the academic and spiritual traditions of their family.” Veteran reporter and Maryland Bureau Chief for ABC7/WJLA-TV, Greta Kreuz, served as the Master of Ceremonies for CCSE’s 2010 spring benefit. Kreuz launched the religion beat in 1998, becoming the first full-time religion reporter for a Washington network affiliate, earning much acclaim for her work. Chris Core, from WTOP Radio, demonstrated his fast-talking skills as CCSE’s auctioneer. This year’s Spring Benefit honored the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who, along with her Special Olympics, inspired the creation of CCSE. “Mrs. Shriver showed the world that each child, whether he can run fast or not, whether she can read fluently or not, whether he can go to college or not, is special and can contribute to society at large,” said Pellegrino. “She changed the way we all look at people with intellectual disabilities, to help each of us see that their hopes and dreams are not so different from our own. Were it not for Mrs. Shriver’s works, CCSE might not exist,” she added. Special Olympics athletes from around the region attended CCSE’s Spring Benefit, many wearing the medals they have won. The tribute concluded with remarks from Mrs. Shriver’s immediate family. A highlight of the evening was Ben Stevick, a recent graduate of Mount St. Joseph High School in Baltimore, whose St. Giles program is a CCSE grantee. Through hard work and dedication, Stevick recently received the honor of Eagle Scout, one of the few young men with Down Syndrome to complete the Eagle Scout process. Mount Saint Joe’s was “huge” for Ben, according to his mother, Doris Stevick, who appreciated the high standards and the nurturing of faith. “I saw him teach other boys compassion, understanding and a reverence for life,” she added. Other students from Catholic schools also attended the Benefit. The demand for Catholic schooling for students with intellectual disabilities remains strong. In 2009, CCSE awarded grants totaling approximately $108,000. However, the group received requests for nearly $400,000. “These requests send a clear message,” said Marguerite Kirst Colston, vice president, Autism Society of American, and CCSE board member. “Families and schools seek CCSE’s technical assistance and monetary awards to allow Catholic schools to appropriately educate students with and without disabilities in the same classrooms.” CCSE programs designed to help Catholic schools welcome students with disabilities include: CCSE’s Believe in Me! Grant-Making Program supports the implementation of special education instruction and programs in Catholic Schools by awarding grants to hire special educational teachers and para-educators and to purchase specialized classroom equipment and supplies; CCSE’s Technical Assistance Outreach Services to Schools supports the implementation of special education services; CCSE’s Tuition Assistance Grants for Studies in Special Education encourages teachers and other professionals to pursue advanced degrees in Special Education thereby helping to offset the chronic and pervasive shortage of special education teachers which exists both regionally and nationally; CCSE’s Share the Word Campaign – Opening Hearts, Opening Minds, Opening Doors raises disability awareness among administrators, department chairs, faculty, members of the board of trustees, parents, student council and student body through specifically targeted school and parish programs to include renowned speakers and special guests from the special education and Catholic community, as well as presentations by CCSE representatives. Educating the entire community is essential to removing barriers created by fears, biases and myths. This ensures that everyone understands the importance of welcoming students with disabilities and is a key factor in the success of programs serving our brothers and sisters with special needs. For more information, please visit www.ccse-maryland.org or contact CCSE at communications@ccse-maryland.org, or (301)933-8844. If You Believe in Me. . . I’ll Believe in Me! ‹‹ News Index ‹‹ Press Releases Index

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