18
COMMUNITY
September 25, 2018 | The Valley Catholic
Transformation
By Gregory Kepferle
CEO, Catholic Charities of
Santa Clara County and
President, Charities Housing
Development Corporation
The joy and amazement in the
young men’s voices was unmistak-
able: “I graduated from high school!”
“I never imagined this would be pos-
sible.” “When I came to America, I
didn’t know any English, and now I
am headed to college!” These are just a
few of the comments from youth who
arrived at Catholic Charities as refugee
orphans fleeing violence, war and dis-
placement because of ethnic, political
or religious conflicts. Hearing their
stories strengthens my belief in the
power of education to transform lives.
These young men are just a few of
the thousands of children, youth, and
adults whose lives are transformed by
Catholic Charities education strategy.
Some may wonder why a social ser-
vice agency is so deeply engaged in
education. At Catholic Charities, we
believe that education is a key pillar
to preventing the cycle of generational
poverty. We envision living in a valley
where every child has the opportunity
to learn from cradle to career.
That’s why we start by helping par-
ents and their infants and toddlers in
our First Five Family Resource Centers.
We build on the first five years by pro-
viding extended learning after school
in our CORAL after-school programs
focused on balanced literacy, enrich-
ment, and STEM for elementary and
middle school scholars. We also sup-
port students through high school, like
refugee foster youth and students at
risk of gang involvement, as well as by
hiring Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High
School students. And for adults and
seniors, we provide classes in English
as a Second Language, Citizenship, and
job readiness training.
Transforming lives through educa-
tion doesn’t happen by osmosis, but
requires professionally competent,
compassionate staff, deeply engaged
volunteers, and wrap around supports
for the family that include counsel-
ing, food, healthcare, housing, and
economic security. Without these
supports, children in poverty face
daunting challenges to their academic
success – overcrowded housing, lack
of nutritious food, parents absent from
home due to working two and three
jobs, and the everyday stresses and
anxieties of poverty.
With these supports, not only can
we change the academic trajectory
of one student, in turn she is able to
transform the reality of subsequent
generations who lift themselves out
of poverty.
I invite you to join Catholic Chari-
ties in changing lives for good and
to learn more about our transforma-
tive education strategy. By investing
in the Community Impact Fund for
Education you can make their dreams
a reality. For more information go to
www.CatholicCharitiesSCC.org.
Patrick Arnold Named Director of Development at Bellarmine
Following an extensive search for
the ideal candidate, Bellarmine College
Preparatory named Patrick Arnold as its
new Director of Development.
Arnold, a Bellarmine alumnus from
the Class of 1984, will officially begin
his Development responsibilities effec-
tive January 2, 2019. He fills the position
most recently held by David Holquin,
now president of Justin-Siena High
School in Napa. Arnold is currently CEO
of Filice Insurance Agency in Moraga
and he has worked for the company for
the past 19 years. His sales experience
Patrick Arnold
includes being regional sales director at
Oracle in the 1990s.
A graduate of U.C. Berkeley, Arnold
is no stranger to Bellarmine, having
been a respected football player as a
student. He went on to be a three-year
Letterman with CAL football, and a
four-year Letterman for CAL rugby, the
national champions in 1986 and 1988.
He currently serves as vice chair of
Bellarmine’s Board of Regents, and he
and his wife, Esther, have two daugh-
ters: Audrey and Ella. His father, Walt
Arnold, was a respected Bellarmine
football coach from 1974-1983.
“The opportunity to return to Bellar-
mine and serve is the culmination of a
lifelong ambition,” said Arnold. “I look
forward to acknowledging Bellarmine’s
past and helping build its future.”
In his notification to faculty and staff
about the hiring, Bellarmine President
Chris Meyercord noted, “Pat is one of
the most passionate alumni I have ever
met, and he is deeply committed to our
mission as a Catholic, Jesuit school. I
know that we will be very well served
by his work starting in 2019.”
Arnold will work closely with
Brian Adams, Vice President for Ad-
vancement, and report directly to the
President.
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