Our Work

A Mother’s Day Gift That Changes Lives

This Mother’s Day, we celebrate not just the love of mothers, but the quiet strength, sacrifice, and determination that shape generations. For Duber Gutierrez, a mother of three and a longtime member of the East Boston Central Catholic School community, motherhood and mission are deeply intertwined.

For over 12 years, Duber has worked in the Admissions Department at East Boston Central Catholic School—but her story began with something much simpler: a need.

“What inspired me to work in the Admissions Department was the need… to have someone who could provide information in Spanish to families,” she explains. “I recognized how important it was to make communication accessible and inclusive. That need motivated me to step into this role, and since then, I’ve seen my work as an opportunity to serve and support our community.”

That moment of recognition turned into a calling. Today, Duber is often the first voice families hear, guiding, reassuring, and helping them take their first steps into a Catholic school community.

Each day, Duber helps guide new families through the admissions process, many of whom, like her own family once did, are searching for opportunity and stability.

“The most rewarding part… is building trust with the families. They rely on my guidance and support, and over time, they see the results in their children’s academic, moral, and spiritual growth. It’s also meaningful to share real success stories from other students. I find great satisfaction in guiding families through the process and working together to overcome any challenges.”

Working in a Catholic school has also shaped her personally. “How does working within a Catholic school community influence your personal values?” we asked.

“Working in a Catholic school is deeply aligned with my values. Every day, I practice principles such as responsibility, respect, and service. In my role, I am able to reflect these values and share the mission of our school with the families we serve.”

Those same values carry into her role as a mother. At school, she may be “Mrs. Duber,” but at home, she is simply mama, guiding her children with intention and care.

Balancing both roles has not always been easy, but it has been meaningful.

“Balancing both roles has been very meaningful. I’ve always felt proud of my work at the school, where I have been for over 12 years.” She said “My children have grown up understanding that school is a shared space where we all have responsibilities,” she shares. “While I will always be their mother, at school I am also ‘Mrs. Duber,’ which helps maintain a healthy balance. As a Spanish speaker, I’ve also faced challenges with English, but those challenges have motivated me to grow and work even harder.”

At the heart of her parenting is one core value: gratitude.

“The most important value is gratitude. I want my children to recognize and appreciate all the people who have contributed to their growth. It is important to me that they never forget their roots and the values they were raised with. I want them to know gratitude is not just a value, it’s a way of life and one I never want them to forget.”

That gratitude is deeply connected to the opportunities her children have received opportunities made possible through the Catholic Schools Foundation (CSF).

Like many families, Duber once faced uncertainty.

“At the beginning, we were unsure if we could continue affording Catholic education,” she recalls. “The CSF scholarships made a tremendous difference for our family.”

Because of that support, what once felt out of reach became reality. Her daughter continued through eighth grade, attended a Catholic high school, and is now studying at the College of the Holy Cross. Her other children have followed similar paths.

“It is something we could not have imagined,” she says, “but it was made possible through CSF.”

Today, Duber not only witnesses that impact in her own family, she sees it every day in the families she serves.

“The most rewarding part is building trust,” she explains. “Families rely on my guidance… and over time, they see the results in their children’s academic, moral, and spiritual growth.”

Her children’s success has only deepened her belief in the power of Catholic education.

“In our family, education is essential, it is not an option but a priority,” she says. “From a young age, my children understood that education was the foundation for their future.”

That foundation has also led to moments of pride that are hard to put into words, like when her children were named Inspiration Scholars and spoke at CSF Galas.

“It means a great deal to me,” she shares. “These are achievements they earned not only through their hard work and dedication but their noble and charismatic personalities. I am very proud of them, especially since from a very young age, they have taken on challenges. Growing up in a culture unlike the one around them is not always easy. However, my kids never saw this as a setback, but rather a bigger motivation to succeed. In our home, we teach them and prepare them to work hard and strive for what they want. My husband and I are incredibly proud of everything they have accomplished, especially achievements like these that are a representation of their hard work and dedication.”

But Duber is quick to remind us: behind every success story is a community that made it possible.

This is where CSF donors come in.

Their generosity does not just fund scholarships, it fuels dreams, strengthens families, and empowers mothers like Duber to see new possibilities for their children.

When asked what she would say to other families considering applying, her answer is filled with both honesty and hope:

““I would encourage families to trust the process and not be afraid to ask for help. Stay informed, ask questions, and take advantage of every opportunity available. Scholarships can truly make a life-changing difference. Although it may not seem big at first, the lasting impact is one very worthwhile. Most importantly, don’t lose faith or motivation. With effort and support, many doors can open for your children if you seek the right path.”

This Mother’s Day, Duber’s story is a powerful reminder: when we invest in a child’s education, we uplift an entire family. And when we support a mother’s hope for her children, we help shape a future filled with purpose, gratitude, and opportunity.

Because of generous CSF donors, those dreams become reality.

And because of mothers like Duber, those opportunities turn into lasting impact, for families, for communities, and for generations to come.