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Speech and OT in Catholic SchoolsJoin us May 25th, 7:30 for our 1st Live WebinarBackForwardPauseCaption
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Porto Charities Inc.
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Porto Charities, Inc. (PCI) is a recognized 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the educational and employment resources available to young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through a grants program in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, VA.
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Upcoming Event
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Webinar on Speech and Occupational Therapies in Catholic Schools
We are excited to announce the 1st installment in the webinar Series "Inclusion in Action" hosted by Porto Charities. The webinar will be on May 25th, 2022, at 7:30 pm. We will talk about the private and public options for children to access Speech and Occupational Therapies at their Catholic Schools. We will hear from different models currently available at different local private schools and there will be Q&A following the presentations. This is a great opportunity for school administrators to learn about options to better serve their students with disabilities, and it will also be a great resource for parents who are looking to continue with Speech and OT therapies once their child is enrolled in Catholic School.
This event is FREE, but you must register here to receive the link and recording.
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Our Impact
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Over the last decade alone,
Porto Charities has provided grants of close to $1,500,000 to Diocesan schools, special needs organizations and the Office of Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Arlington.
These grants have led to the creation and expansion of special needs programs in all four Catholic highschools and more than a dozen elementary schools.
Several young adults with intellectual disabilities have found meaningful employment in schools and parishes within the Diocese through our unique employment program.
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Join the Parents Advisory Council
Are you a parent of a child with disabilities in the Diocese of Arlington?
If you said yes, then we need you! And most importantly, your child needs your advocacy!This is a great way to have a voice and make a real impact on Catholic education for children with special needs within the Diocese of Arlington. To learn more, please click here.
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It is PCI’s belief that ALL of God’s children
deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential
through inclusive education and meaningful work commensurate with their capabilities.
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What family members say of Porto Charities
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All Saints Catholic school
"My son not only is growing intellectually and academically, but he's growing spirtually and emotionally as well. He is being included in a Parish community that he has wanted so much to have full participation in. If you would like to see this more prevalent within our parishes, please support Porto Charities"
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St. Anthony of Padua school
"We are so blessed to have an organization like Porto Charities in our Diocese. They truly want to make our schools more inclusive of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Today my son with special needs is able to attend a Catholic school like his siblings. He is thriving and loves his new school"
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St. Thomas More Cathedral School
"Porto Charities support of our school is helping my family realize the dream of a Catholic education for our youngest, who has Down Syndrome. Seeing her in the same uniform as her siblings has meant the world to us and is a visual reminder of the meaning of inclusion. We are so grateful for all Porto Charities is doing"
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Bishop O'Connell Highschool"When I was 9, I became an older sister to the best little brother with Down Syndrome. When I entered highschool I knew I wanted to become a peer mentor for my classmates in expanded services. This program has taught me what it truly means to value others, and now I'm a freshman in College working to become an Ocupational Therapist"
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Inclusion News and Porto Events
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News
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May 17A collaboration between the Mason LIFE Program, Porto Charities, and diocesan Catholic schools led to a pilot internship program for LIFE students during the 2019-20 school year, said Christine Fowler, Zach’s mom and a director at Porto Charities. Now, several diocesan schools employ people with special needs... "Read More
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April 8Let’s explore what it means to have autism and be Catholic, and how we can increase our understanding, compassion and kindness.Read More
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January 26The modern church must not only welcome people with disabilities in its community but also seek them out for inclusion in the life of the church.Read More
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