Our Young People Succeed. In Haiti...and in Rockford, Illinois!
Students at Boylan Central Catholic High School in Rockford, IL
As we celebrate the graduation of Louverture Cleary students in the Class of 2007, we also celebrate the continuing success of young students in high schools and elementary schools throughout the United States that continue in solidarity to support our LCS students.
This year the students at Boylan Central Catholic High School in Rockford, IL, once again demonstrated their generosity and commitment to service through their Lenten Penny Campaign to benefit The Haitian Project. These Rockford high school students parted with their change in order to help create real change in Haiti, and collected $6,300 for Louverture Cleary School, over $1,000 more than the prior year! Boylan has been carrying out projects like this Penny Campaign to help support Louverture Cleary students since 2001.
With leadership from Boylan Religious Studies Department Head Jim Heim, Lisa St. John and other department faculty, Boylan students tirelessly collected all this change (you can see that it adds up!), working in this year’s theme of “Solidarity” for Lenten giving. Using the “Seven Weeks of Solidarity” program of scripture readings, prayer, reflections, and actions, developed by THP Community Development Staff as a guideline, the students and faculty caught the spirit of solidarity with the students of Louverture Cleary. “Our students seem to really connect with the needs, goals, and successes of their peers at LCS,” said Mrs. St. John.
Solidarity is one of the seven key themes of Catholic Social Teaching outlined by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Not only is solidarity a vital ingredient in working for peace and justice in our world, but it describes something that The Haitian Project is very grateful for – the friendship between students in the U.S. and our students in Haiti. LCS students take seriously the high example set by the school’s alumni to use their education and God-given talents to be of service to their family and communities. In response to the energy and courage of Louverture Cleary Students, our supporting schools in the U.S. come together as partners with LCS in the goal of creating not just a better Haiti, but a better world!
To learn how your school can help THP and Louverture Cleary School, contact the THP Office of Development at 815-484-8623.
