CONTENTS

AWARD DINNER

LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SPECIAL EVENTS

BE A STUDENT’S FRIEND

VOLUNTEERS

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan
Chairman

Peter T. Grauer
President

Robert M. Amen
Lawrence B. Benenson
Ronald E. Blaylock
John M. Callagy, Esq.
Anthony J. de Nicola
Samuel A. Di Piazza, Jr.
Florence B. D’Urso
John J. Farrell
Edward D. Herlihy, Esq.
George B. Irish
Thomas S. Johnson
Catherine M. Keating
James B. Lee, Jr.
Arthur J. Mahon, Esq.
William A. Malloy
Thomas S. Murphy, Sr.
Thomas S. Murphy, Jr.
Ponchitta Pierce
Patricia A. Quick
Thomas C. Quick
Mo Rocca
Mauro C. Romita
Stephen G. Rooney, Esq.
Mark S. Rossi
Howard J. Rubenstein
Frederic V. Salerno
Peter K. Scaturro
Joseph R. Schmuckler
Christine H. Schwarzman
Martin J. Sullivan
Mary Ann Tighe
Walter S. Tomenson, Jr.
Hon. Milton L. Williams, Sr.
Paul P. Woolard

TRUSTEES EMERITUS

Edward Cardinal Egan
Hon. Edward I. Koch
Jonathan O’Herron
Francis C. Rooney, Jr.
Wolfgang Schoellkopf
Frank J. Tasco

Susan George, Executive Director
of Inner-City Scholarship Fund

Dear Friends,

Inner-City Scholarship Fund is fortunate to have donors and volunteers who believe financial hardship should never prevent a child from receiving a quality education. I am inspired every day by our dedicated supporters who help us keep students in schools where they get an opportunity to thrive and beat the odds. I truly believe investing in the life of a student is simultaneously an investment in our community and the future.

I was recently contacted by a young woman named Sharifa James, a former Be A Student’s Friend scholarship recipient. She wanted to reconnect with the man who had sponsored her to attend Catholic school in the Bronx for a number of years. Sharifa told me she wanted to thank him because without his generosity she “would not have benefited from the superior education that Catholic schools offer.” Sharifa is currently pursuing her doctorate degree at the University of South Carolina. She was kind enough to share her experience with us in this newsletter.

ICSF’s students and their families recognize the amazing opportunity they receive from our committed donors and volunteers. They are so grateful for a chance to realize their potential. On behalf of them, thank you for allowing our inner-city boys and girls to remain in schools where their minds are continuously stimulated and their values shaped.

With warm regards and sincere
gratitude,

Susan George
Executive Director


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On November 29, 2010, over 450 attorneys from the New York legal community gathered for the 2010 Lawyers Luncheon at Cipriani 42nd Street. This enormously successful event raised nearly $400,000 for scholarships to make Catholic school education available to children in New York City. At this event, the Saint Thomas More Award is given annually to members of the legal profession who exemplify the virtues of scholarship, leadership, loyalty to God, country, and service.

His Excellency Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan presented this year’s award to James W. Quinn, Esq. An active member of the 22-year-old Lawyers Committee, Mr. Quinn has been a dedicated supporter of the Archdiocese of NY and Inner-City Scholarship Fund for years.

He currently sponsors a high school student in the Be A Student’s Friend program and his firm has provided nine high school students with summer internships through ICSF’s Job Opportunities Program. Mr. Quinn is a Partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and co-chairs Weil’s 500-lawyer global Litigation practice. He lives in Armonk, New York with his wife. They have four children and five grandchildren.

The 40-member Lawyers Committee, comprised of the most esteemed members of New York’s legal community, have dedicated themselves to raising money for inner-city schools of the Archdiocese of New York for decades.

If you are interested in being a part of the Lawyers Committee, please contact Meghan McGuinness or call 646-794-3270.

Trustee Fred Salerno, who served as dinner Co-Chair along with Ivan Seidenberg, Chairman and CEO of Verizon, introduced our honoree, commending Verizon for implementing its inclusion policy so successfully in the person of Virginia Ruesterholz. She is credited with the development of numerous game-changing innovations over the course of her career with Verizon and its predecessor organizations.

Upon receiving the ICSF Award from Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Ms. Ruesterholz reflected on the impact her Catholic school education had on her personal development and extolled the group of young “Hayesmen” she met recently at Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx.

As guests moved into the dining room, they were treated to Christmas songs performed a cappella by the MSU Vocalists, a group of talented high school students from the Academy of Mount St. Ursula in the Bronx.

Later in the evening, Ralphy Reyes, a senior at All Hallows High School, spoke to the audience about the crucial difference attending Catholic school has made in his life: teaching him to set an example for those who are struggling and giving him the extra support he needs to accomplish his dreams and achieve success. Mr. Reyes hopes to attend John Jay College and major in criminal justice.

The night was a success, raising more than $1.4 million to keep Inner-City Scholarship Fund’s initiatives going at full speed, giving thousands of students the golden opportunity to realize their dreams.

Next on our event roster, the FRIENDS of ICSF will host their Spring Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Monday, May 16, 2011. Please Save the Date. For further information on the GALA, contact Marion Whiting at 646-794-3332.

On September 1, 2010, a day inseparably linked with “Back to School,” an unexpected email arrived in the in-box of Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Sharifa James, about to depart from her home to begin a Ph.D. program, felt compelled to sit down and send a note of gratitude to Inner-City Scholarship Fund and her Be A Student’s Friend (BASF) sponsor Walter Kirkland.

Sharifa was raised in a single parent household with one older sister in the Bronx, NY. Her mother continuously emphasized the importance of education. “My mother sacrificed so much for both my sister and me to attend Catholic Schools,” explained Sharifa. “I believe my Catholic

education was a major factor in the work ethic that I now possess.” Through her elementary school and high school years, Sharifa benefited from ICSF’s Be A Student’s Friend Program. Because of the tuition assistance she received, Sharifa was able to attend Sts. Philip and James Catholic School from kindergarten through the 8th grade and then to graduate from Cardinal Spellman High School in 2002. “Because of the generosity of my BASF sponsor, Mr. Walter Kirkland, I was able to benefi t from the superior education that Catholic schools offered,” said a thankful Sharifa. “I would like to thank him for realizing the importance of not just making a financial investment in a

child, but for being a lifelong reminder that someone, a complete stranger in fact, thought that I had the potential to do better and was willing to help me accomplish that by investing in my future.”

Sharifa has completed a MA program in Clinical and Counseling Psychology at Columbia University-Teachers College and is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Clinical-Community Psychology at the University of South Carolina.

If you would like more information about Be A Student’s Friend, please contact Ginine Cilenti or 646-794-3357.

Be A Student’s Friend (BASF) sponsors often express to us the satisfaction that comes from being involved in the program. More often than not, the fulfillment they receive is a result of the life changing help they are providing and through the special relationship they develop with their student. A few comments showcasing the rewards to be reaped from the sponsor and student relationship:

“My husband and I have been sponsors for over twenty years. We read and keep every letter each child we support sends and, in fact, have saved them all!! When my husband died in 2005, I wanted to honor him as he was a person of such strong values and honor and I wanted to create a lasting legacy in his memory. Knowing his great love of the BASF

program, I created the John A. Weisz Scholarship. We have maintained 15 students due to the generosity and support of over 100 family and friends. The joy I receive from the John Weisz scholars is beyond words. I thank all the wonderful students and their families, gifted teachers and principals that keep the system going. We do make a difference, and as one of the John Weisz students told me last year as he graduated, ‘Being a John Weisz student has made all the difference in my life.’ My husband often said, you help one child, and you have changed the world.” – Barbara Weisz

“Over the past 18 months I have been so privileged to visit my student in her classroom to assist with various art projects. The smiles and laughter from all of the children are contagious, and the person who benefits the most from each visit is

me. I am greeted by a hearty chorus of happy voices when I enter the room. Each child eagerly participates and is SO proud to show me his/her masterpiece. These 32 students show a level of respect, maturity and social grace that surpasses their age. They are smart, inquisitive and very much aware that education is their gateway to a brighter future.” – Debbie Oulvey

Cecilia and Richard Fabbro sponsor four students through the Be A Student’s Friend program. This past spring, Mr. Fabbro visited his student Adrian Liberato for the fi rst time. He explains, “This is one of the most satisfying experiences I have had this year…you can hear thank you’s from the kids and there’s nothing better than that.” To see Richard meet Adrian for the fi rst time, go to www.innercitysf.org/videos.html and view ICSF’s 2010 Award Dinner video.

Kyle is a 4th grader at Incarnation School in Washington Heights. Like over 50% of our families, Kyle comes from a single parent household and is being raised by his mother, Gloria. Recently, Gloria lost her job and in an effort to improve her employment opportunities, she enrolled in college on full scholarship while also working part-time. Kyle’s mom often has to leave very early in the morning to get to her classes, so Kyle volunteers in the office at Incarnation until the school day begins. Despite the extra long day, Kyle always has a smile on his face. His principal reports that he is a well mannered, respectful and courteous young man who gladly volunteers his time to help others. Gloria is trying to manage the household expenses and tuition for Kyle but she is struggling. Briana Pechin, the principal at Incarnation helped Gloria apply for a Be A Student’s Friend scholarship.

The family has been on the wait list for six months. Kyle and his mom are anxiously awaiting news that a sponsor has been found to assist them with tuition.

Currently 152 students are on our wait list—105 are elementary school age and 47 are high school age. Sponsors contribute $2,200 towards an elementary student’s tuition which covers 80% of the annual cost, and $3,700 towards a high school student which covers 50% of annual tuition.

Please consider becoming Kyle’s sponsor and ask a friend or colleague who might want to become his friend. By giving Kyle a scholarship to continue his studies at Incarnation, you are providing him with the tools to achieve. That gift is priceless.

Three members of the ICSF family received well-deserved media attention in the Wall Street Journal. Claudia Gerbasi and Mark Ruggiere were profiled in Shelly Banjo’s “Donor of the Day” column on September 8. Banjo’s article explained how the Bart Ruggiere Memorial Fund was formed in honor of their late husband and brother Bart Ruggiere, who was 32 years old when he died in the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attacks. Through ICSF’s Be A Student’s Friend program, the fund has sponsored 20 students since its inception.

On October 12, 2010, ICSF donor and volunteer Mike Caponiti appeared in WSJ’s “Donor of the Day.” The article described Mike’s involvement with ICSF’s Project YESS Leadership Committee. Project YESS, made up of industry representatives from organizations across New York City, raises funds and gives grant awards to inner-city Catholic schools for necessary capital improvements. In addition to Project YESS, Mike and his wife Meghan currently sponsor four children in the Be A Student’s Friend program.

Much media attention was attracted by the release of Davis Guggenheim’s

“Waiting For Superman.” The film portrays a country worried with the current state of public school education, yet optimistic about the developing Charter school system. In his NY Daily News op-ed Could Superman be Catholic? Archbishop Dolan took the opportunity to remind Mr. Guggenheim that “Superman is here and he’s waiting in the classrooms of New York’s Catholic schools!”

To receive a copy of a published article about Inner-City Scholarship Fund, please contact Daniel Mileno at 646-794-3351 or Daniel.Mileno@archny.org.

Through the efforts of the Junior Committee, inner-city children from ICSF supported schools continue to engage in activities that enrich their lives and compliment the high-quality education they receive in our schools. The Junior Committee provides students with the opportunity to study with skilled tutors, participate in a basketball league with students from other schools, and visit various New York landmarks with young professionals. There is hardly a Saturday that goes by without a field trip, community service project or holiday party. Recent field trips include Manhattan by Sail, Queens County Farm, Children’s Art Museum, and Ice Skating at Chelsea Piers. The Junior Committee has already completed three community services projects, including painting computer labs and hallway murals. “It’s all about the kids,” said Community Service co-chair David Shluger.

It’s not just elementary students benefiting from the Junior Committee projects. This year, ten seniors from All Hallows High School in the Bronx received College Application Process mentoring from Junior Committee volunteers. These students and their mentors are eagerly awaiting acceptance packages to top colleges and universities.

All Junior Committee projects are made possible through their fundraising and social events. In October, a Wine Tasting Benefit at Vintage Irving raised over $14,000 and the annual “Spring Fling” fundraising event in April will undoubtedly be equally successful.

To learn more about volunteering with the Junior Committee please contact Janelle Hengeveld or visit our website at: www.icsf-nyc.org/jc.

“I have never seen students from three different schools come together like this – the Juniors make it possible and that is what makes them so special,” commented Joanne Walsh, Principal at Our Lady Queen of Angels School.

Family School in Morningside Heights with help from the Cardinal’s Scholarship Program. Mr. Diallo is quick to show his appreciation for the opportunity Salimah has been given to participate in all the educational activities that Saint Joseph and the other inner-city Catholic schools have to offer. He is very proud of Salimah who is excelling at Saint Joseph and currently is in seventh grade. She will have another chance to hone her public speaking skills during this year’s Manhattan Catholic Schools Contest. Congratulations to all of the speech bee finalists!

Inner-City Scholarship Fund
1011 First Avenue, Suite 1400
New York, NY 10022
www.icsf-nyc.org

Published twice yearly by:
Inner-City Scholarship Fund
1011 First Avenue
New York, NY 10022-4112
Tel 212-753-8583
Fax 212-371-6461
www.icsf-nyc.org

Susan George, Executive Director
Ginine Cilenti, Senior Director of Development and Major Gifts
Christine Berko, Office Manager and Financial Analyst
Caitlin Carmichael, Development Associate
Christine Desposito, Coordinator, Job Opportunities Program
Alyson Gerken, Senior Development Associate
Tory Grauer, Development Associate
Janelle Hengeveld, Manager of Direct Mail and Volunteers
Vanessa Luciano, Administrative Assistant, Be A Student’s Friend
Douglas Melick, Director of Foundations and Corporations
Daniel Mileno, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Carmen Stanley, Operations Manager, Be A Student’s Friend
Melissa Velez, Manager of School Relations
Marion Whiting, Associate Director for Special Events