CSF in the News
The Catholic Schools Foundation is proud to have our work supporting students, families, and Catholic schools across Greater Boston recognized by local media. Below is a selection of recent news stories highlighting our impact in the community.
Featured Story
Catholic Schools Foundation and Horizons for Homeless Children Mark 10-Year Partnership Delivering More Than $2 Million in Scholarships for Students Experiencing Housing Instability
BOSTON, MA — The Catholic Schools Foundation (CSF) and Horizons for Homeless Children recently marked 10 years of partnership with a visit to Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy, Lower Mills. The visit brought together leaders, donors, and supporters from both organizations to see firsthand the impact of the CSF Horizons Scholarship Program, which provides long-term educational opportunities for students experiencing housing instability.
Since its launch in 2016, the CSF Horizons Scholarship Program has distributed more than $2 million in scholarships to students across greater Boston. What began in 2016 as a $46,000 investment supporting nine students has grown into a projected $350,000 annual investment supporting 55 students next school year. The program is built on a simple but powerful belief: that children and families facing housing instability deserve consistent access to high-quality education, supportive school communities, and the opportunity to thrive.
Through the partnership, Horizons for Homeless Children provides deep expertise in serving families in crisis, while the Catholic Schools Foundation provides scholarship funding and access to a network of Catholic schools. CSF Horizons Scholarships cover approximately 90 percent or more of tuition, with every family contributing something, and scholarships remain with students year after year. On average, students have been part of the scholarship program for six years, with some students receiving scholarships for 10 straight years, reflecting the program’s commitment to long-term stability and lasting interventions.
“At Horizons for Homeless Children, we know that housing instability can impact every part of a child’s life, including their ability to learn, build relationships, and feel a sense of belonging,” said Kate Barrand, President and CEO of Horizons for Homeless Children. “Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and imagine a future filled with possibility, regardless of the circumstances they are facing. This 10-year partnership with the Catholic Schools Foundation demonstrates what is possible when organizations come together to remove barriers and create lasting opportunities for children and families. By ensuring students experiencing housing instability can remain connected to their schools and communities, this program provides more than a scholarship, it provides a foundation of stability, support, and potential that helps children thrive.”
“At its heart, this program is about consistency, belonging, and opportunity,” said Mike Reardon, Executive Director of the Catholic Schools Foundation. “For students who have experienced housing instability, remaining in the same school community year after year can be life-changing. The visit to Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy reminded all of us why this partnership matters and why continued support is so important.”
The morning began with a conversation among Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy Regional Director Kate Brandley, Lower Mills Campus Principal Lisa Warshafsky, representatives from Horizons for Homeless Children, CSF staff, donors, and trustees. The group discussed the day-to-day impact of the program, its growth over the past decade, and the shared commitment required to sustain and expand it.
For the school’s leaders, that commitment is part of daily life. Lower Mills Campus Principal Lisa Warshafsky described what stability looks like in practice for students and families navigating housing insecurity.
“Our students spend close to twelve hours a day with our team, from a 6:30 a.m. breakfast to an after-school program that ends at 6:00 p.m.,” said Warshafsky. “Being able to provide breakfast, a healthy lunch, and an afternoon snack mitigates the stress of food insecurity for families navigating a transitional time. Outreach to these families is an intentional process filled with love and dignity. It might be a check-in call just to say hello, finding access to gently used uniforms, or an invitation to come in as a guest reader in their child’s classroom. Our shared goal is to ensure our students have access to a high-quality, Catholic education even when faced with potential barriers.”
The highlight of the visit was a school tour led by four CSF Horizons Scholars. Two of the students are graduating eighth graders preparing to attend Catholic high schools in the fall, Fontbonne Academy in Milton and Cristo Rey Boston High School in Dorchester. Two of the student tour guides are seventh graders who will continue their education at Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy. Together, they guided visitors through the school with confidence, warmth, and pride.
The students’ leadership reflected the program’s deeper purpose. For students who have experienced instability outside the classroom, the ability to remain rooted in a school community can provide a powerful foundation for academic, social, and emotional growth. The students’ familiarity with their teachers, classmates, and school environment demonstrated the sense of belonging that the CSF Horizons Scholarship Program is designed to make possible.
Following the tour, visitors joined the students for an open question-and-answer session. The graduating students spoke about their hopes for high school, while the younger students shared what they love most about Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy. A lighthearted question from Reardon, whether the students would choose Gronk or Brady, brought laughter from the group, with most students choosing Gronk. The moment captured something essential about the morning: students who feel comfortable enough to laugh and speak openly with a room full of guests are students who feel at home.
The visit also underscored the role of donors and community support in sustaining the program. Paul Ciampa, a Horizons Scholar donor, and member of the Board of Trustees at Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy, reflected on the students’ energy, resilience, kindness, and intelligence after seeing the program in action.
“We are so pleased to see how these children are thriving,” said Ciampa. “Many of these children have experienced hardships that most of us can scarcely imagine. Yet when you walk into the classrooms, what stands out is not adversity, it is joy, curiosity, and a genuine love of learning. The CSF-Horizons–Saint John Paul II partnership has exceeded every expectation we had. It is a powerful example of what can happen when a community comes together in the service of others. Watching these students flourish has been both inspiring and humbling.”
Ciampa left the morning energized and committed to helping connect more Horizons donors with the CSF Horizons Scholarship Program. Continued donor engagement is essential as the program grows to meet the needs of more students and families across greater Boston.
CSF Trustee Cindy Wickwire also reflected on the visit and the students who led the tour.
“I truly enjoyed meeting the students,” said Wickwire. “They were engaging during the tour and obviously thriving in their school environment at Saint John Paul II. I’m confident these scholars have a bright future ahead, given the foundation they have worked hard to build. Seeing firsthand the results of the partnership between Horizons, Saint John Paul II, and CSF is inspiring, and the impact is immeasurable.”
This year’s results point to the long-term promise of the program. Next year, CSF will have 12 high school Horizons Scholarship recipients, including current eighth graders matriculating to Catholic and independent high schools across greater Boston. Students will attend schools including Xaverian Brothers High School, Cristo Rey Boston High School, Arlington Catholic High School, Fontbonne Academy, Ursuline Academy, and Noble and Greenough School. Two CSF Horizons graduates are currently enrolled in college at Suffolk University and at UMass Amherst.
For CSF and Horizons, the visit to Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy was more than a school tour. It was a reminder of what can happen when organizations, schools, families, and donors come together around a shared mission. Over the past 10 years, the partnership has helped students find stability, opportunities, and a path forward. As the program enters its next decade, CSF and Horizons remain committed to expanding that impact for more children experiencing housing instability.
About the Catholic Schools Foundation
The Catholic Schools Foundation (CSF) is the largest K–12 scholarship-granting organization in Massachusetts, providing financial aid to low-income students to attend Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Boston regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or gender. Through its Building Minds Scholarship Fund, CSF supports thousands of students in high-poverty neighborhoods. As an independent 501(c)(3), CSF enables companies and individuals to help transform lives through the gift of Catholic education.
About Horizons for Homeless Children
Horizons for Homeless Children supports children and families experiencing homelessness by providing high-quality early education, family support, and opportunities that help children learn, grow, and thrive.
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The Boston Pilot
Forming the Future: St. Paul School, Hingham, students learn lessons beyond the classroom in DR mission trip | May 29, 2026
Instead of a traditional spring break, eight middle school students from St. Paul School in Hingham traveled to the Dominican Republic for a life-changing mission trip. Staying at the Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) orphanage, these young leaders immersed themselves in service—painting beds, distributing medical supplies, and helping build a new home. They also visited a local batey (plantation settlement), gaining critical perspective on global poverty, community resilience, and economic justice.
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The Boston Pilot
Forming the Future: Ukrainian refugee finds welcoming home at Catholic Memorial High School | May 15, 2026
Catholic Memorial High School highlights the incredible resilience of students like senior Maksym Lebedenko, who fled the war in Ukraine and found a safe harbor in Boston. Arriving as a sophomore, Maksym faced a massive language barrier, but the welcoming community at Catholic Memorial changed everything. Today, he is a thriving senior—taking AP classes, managing the swim team, and heading to Stonehill College this fall.
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The Boston Pilot
Forming the Future: 'A full-circle moment': Alumna returns as principal to Notre Dame Cristo Rey | May 1, 2026
Mabel Dominguez, a 2009 alumna of Notre Dame Cristo Rey High School in Methuen, has been appointed principal for the 2026-27 school year, returning to lead the institution she once attended. Bringing a firsthand perspective as a Dominican immigrant, Dominguez aims to empower the school's predominantly Hispanic student body by diversifying the curriculum and leveraging the Cristo Rey corporate work-study model.
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The Boston Pilot
Building Minds Scholarship Fund Gala celebrates generous support of Catholic education | April 24, 2026
The Catholic Schools Foundation (CSF) raised $ $5.2M at its 36th Annual Building Minds Scholarship Fund Gala, an inspiring evening that brought together hundreds of supporters, alumni, and community leaders to celebrate the transformative power of Catholic education.
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The Boston Pilot
Forming the Future: Building a culture of service at Lowell Catholic High School | April 10, 2026
Lowell Catholic High School’s 100-hour graduation requirement has evolved into a transformative experience, with many students, such as Deborah Kibuuka with 1,200 hours and the Smay twins, exceeding expectations to serve the local community. Head of School Maryellen DeMarco notes that students often move from viewing service as a requirement to falling in love with helping others, ultimately producing graduates who are both academically capable and service-oriented.
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The Boston Pilot
Forming the Future: Decades of care shape futures at Cheverus School, Malden | March 27, 2026
At Cheverus School in Malden, veteran staff and a 118-year-old tradition are creating a "family" atmosphere where every student is known and valued. From custodian Scott Carbonneau’s 20-year commitment to safety to teachers like Patricia Jackson guiding immigrant students toward the honor roll, the school proves that long-term dedication, faith, and mutual respect are the keys to a thriving, diverse community.
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The Boston Pilot
Seniors network with industry leaders at CSF Celebration of Excellence | March 6, 2026
Over 140 seniors from the Archdiocese of Boston's Catholic high schools got a head start with their future careers at the Catholic School Foundation's Celebration of Excellence, held at the PWC building in Boston's Seaport District on Feb. 27.
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The Boston Pilot
Forming the Future: Community meetings highlight virtues at St. Monica School, Methuen | March 13, 2026
At St. Monica School in Methuen, students are finding their voices and building character through student-led community meetings. From second graders teaching the virtue of perseverance through the story of St. Monica to older students sharing their journeys of faith and Confirmation, the school is proving that academic success goes hand-in-hand with grit, prayer, and a supportive community.
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The Boston Pilot
Forming the Future: St. Joseph School, Wakefield's 10-year-old chess master | February 27, 2026
Samanyu Alluri, a 10-year-old student at St. Joseph School in Wakefield, is the top-ranked chess player in his age group in Massachusetts and a reigning national co-champion. Balancing rigorous international competition with running a school chess club, Alluri attributes his success to intense study, meditation, and a foundation of humility.
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The Boston Pilot
Forming the Future: Tarantula teaches lessons beyond science at St. Charles School, Woburn | February 13, 2026
A unique classroom companion is helping seventh graders at St. Charles School explore science, responsibility, and care for creation. Cleopatra the tarantula—chosen by students after applying the scientific method—has become a hands-on learning tool that teaches ecology, critical thinking, and compassion. Through caring for their class pet, students learn that even the smallest creatures play an important role in God’s world, bringing Catholic values to life in the science classroom.
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The Boston Pilot
Forming the Future: Earth-shaking science at Saints Academy, Beverly | January 30, 2026
Students at Saints Academy in Beverly are bringing science to life through hands-on learning with a classroom seismograph that connects them to seismic activity around the world. Installed in the middle school science lab, the device allows students to track real earthquakes, volcanic activity, and even large-scale events close to home—turning global data into engaging, real-time lessons. Through analysis, engineering challenges, and research, students build critical thinking skills while gaining a deeper understanding of Earth science and the human impact of natural disasters.
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The Boston Pilot
Memorial bench honors beloved St. Mary School, Melrose, principal | January 23, 2026
Known as “Miss B.,” former St. Mary of the Annunciation principal Helen Blinstrub dedicated her life to caring for students, families, and neighbors through simple, selfless acts of kindness. Following her passing in 2025, the St. Mary’s community honored her legacy with a memorial bench — and a scholarship donation to the Catholic Schools Foundation — ensuring her spirit of service lives on.
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The Boston Pilot
Forming the Future: Exchange program broadens horizons at Newton Country Day School | January 16, 2026
Students at Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart are participating in the school’s international Sacred Heart exchange program, welcoming peers from France, Ireland, and Austria as part of Forming the Future: Newton. The pilot exchange experience reflects a shared commitment to global learning, personal growth, and cross-cultural connection—key pillars of a Sacred Heart education.
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Dorchester Reporter
St. John Paul II Lower Mills student wins prestigious Inspiration Scholarship | December 3, 2025
Esiah McGauley, an 8th grader at Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy in Dorchester, has been awarded a four‑year, merit‑ and need‑based High School Inspiration Scholarship through the Catholic Schools Foundation, demonstrating CSF’s commitment to expanding access to high‑quality Catholic education for outstanding students across the Archdiocese of Boston.
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EastBoston.com
East Boston’s Violet Yepes Sanchez Selected for $200K Inspiration Scholarship | November 21, 2025
Violet Yepes Sanchez, a student at East Boston Central Catholic School, was awarded a $200,000 Inspiration Scholarship through the Catholic Schools Foundation. This award highlights CSF’s mission to provide access to high-quality Catholic education for students with academic promise and financial need.
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The Boston Pilot
Catholic Schools Foundation donors see impact on annual Bus Tour | Nov 28, 2025
Coverage of CSF’s annual donor Bus Tour showcases how the Foundation’s supporters are making a tangible difference in students’ lives across Greater Boston. The tour highlights the impact of scholarships, emergency funding, and other programs that strengthen Catholic education.
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Featured here are monthly Boston Pilot articles by our executive director, Michael Reardon. Each article highlights a different aspect of Catholic education—its people, moments, and impact—while connecting to current events, pop culture, and the world around us.
Summer can be hardest for homeless students
By Mike Reardon | Friday, June 26, 2026
In a recent reflection, Catholic Schools Foundation Executive Director Mike Reardon highlights that graduation is a celebration of every student's unique perseverance, not just the heavily decorated ones. Supporting the Catholic Schools Foundation helps ensure all students have the opportunity to reach this milestone.
Graduation time
By Mike Reardon | Friday, May 29, 2026
In his latest piece, Catholic Schools Foundation Executive Director Mike Reardon reflects on a chaotic graduation season that found him watching two of his children graduate at the exact same moment—730 miles apart. As he looked at the sea of cords, sashes, and medals filling the stages, he began to think about what truly matters during commencement season. For Mike, graduation isn't just about celebrating the heavily decorated students; it’s an invitation to see the unique story, perseverance, and dignity of every single graduate crossing the stage. Supporting the Catholic Schools Foundation ensures that every student, regardless of their circumstances, gets the chance to reach that finish line and step into their potential.
An investment in hope
By Mike Reardon | Friday, April 24, 2026
Catholic Schools Foundation Executive Director Mike Reardon reframes fundraising, inviting supporters to invest in student success rather than simply asking for donations. This piece highlights the transformative impact of CSF scholarships on families facing challenges, emphasizing that supporting Catholic education offers stability, dignity, and a brighter future for students. Read the full reflection on the Catholic Schools Foundation website.
'Don't be like me'
By Mike Reardon | Friday, March 20, 2026
A reflection on the profound impact of sacrifice and the true meaning of the parental advice do not be like them. Through the stories of scholarship recipients and their families, Mike Reardon explores how resilience and determination and love are the greatest inheritances. This piece invites us to move beyond seeing struggle as failure and instead recognize it as a powerful example of selfless leadership within the Catholic Schools Foundation community.
Are we just checking the box?
By Mike Reardon | Friday, February 27, 2026
A challenge to readers to move beyond a formulaic approach to faith and toward a deeper, human connection. Using the contrast between two funerals, the piece emphasizes that authentic Catholic education and lived faith require connecting the intellect with the heart, especially during the Lenten season
Choosing Respect in Complex Times
By Mike Reardon | Friday, January 23, 2026
A thoughtful reflection on navigating today’s most complex social and ethical issues, this column calls for respect, discernment, and compassion amid disagreement. Drawing on Catholic Social Teaching and Pope Leo’s guidance, it reminds us that while the world is not binary, our shared responsibility to uphold human dignity is clear.
A little perspective at Christmas
By Mike Reardon | Friday, December 19, 2025
A reflection on the reality of Christ’s birth, this column calls for perspective during the Christmas season. It reminds us that joy, struggle, and hope coexist — and that faith invites us to see the world with compassion and humility.
Let gratitude lead us through the holidays
By Mike Reardon | Friday, November 21, 2025
A Thanksgiving reflection on stress, frustration, and gratitude during the holiday season. This piece encourages readers to pause, lead with empathy, and remember the people — and blessings — that matter most.
A new opportunity to support Catholic education
By Mike Reardon | Friday, October 24, 2025
This column highlights the real, life-changing impact of scholarships and explores a new federal tax credit opportunity that could expand access to Catholic education. It reminds readers that even modest gifts can transform a child’s future.
'Overcome evil with good'
By Mike Reardon | Friday, September 26, 2025
Reflecting on Father Pedro Arrupe’s words, this column calls for responding to division and conflict with love rather than contempt. It urges readers to remember our shared humanity and to model moral leadership for the next generation.
The city of hope
By Mike Reardon | Friday, August 29, 2025
A visit to Lawrence Catholic Academy reveals how Catholic education can revitalize not just students, but entire communities. This piece powerfully contrasts past perceptions with present reality, showing how investment in education creates lasting hope.
Lessons from a viral moment
By Mike Reardon | Friday, July 25, 2025
Using a widely shared cultural moment as a teaching opportunity, this column challenges readers to model empathy, restraint, and compassion — especially for young people watching how adults respond to public mistakes and social media outrage.
Behind every statistic is a story
By Mike Reardon | Friday, June 27, 2025
This reflection reframes data and metrics through a human lens, reminding readers that behind every statistic is a child, a family, and a future. It underscores how Catholic education transforms lives in ways numbers alone can never fully capture.
Lessons from Mr. Rogers
By Mike Reardon | Friday, May 23, 2025
Drawing inspiration from Mr. Rogers’ timeless wisdom, this column emphasizes kindness, humility, and the importance of “looking for the helpers.” It connects these values to the daily work of Catholic educators and the generosity that makes Catholic education possible for thousands of students.
