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New Diocese's Strategic Plan: Inclusive SchoolsPorto Charities has an important role in helping accomplish the 3rd pillar in Bishop Burbidge's Strategic PlanBackForwardPauseCaption
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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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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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Upcoming event: Porto Charities Golf Tournament
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Due to a wonderful response from friends and supporters of Porto Charities, our golf tournament foursomes have all been filled. Please consider a donation and join us next year when we will increase the number of available foursomes.
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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 Articles
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Seeing God's Face
What does it mean to be pure in heart? Is it to be holy as God is holy, to seek to do what is right and be righteous? Is it to seek the truth in all things? Is to strive not to sin, though the Bible says we are all sinners? Is it to be like Jesus?
Thomas A Kempis in his book, The Imitation of Christ, offers over 250 pages of counsel and meditations on growing in the presence and likeness of Christ.
St. Gregory of Nyssa said, “When the mist of sin no longer clouds the eye of your soul, you see the blessed vision clearly in the peace and purity of your own heart.” Jesus seems to confirm this when he says, “The kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21) When Phillip asked Jesus to show the disciples the Father, Jesus said, “Don’t you know me, Phillip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”
The psalmist says, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit with me.” (Psalm 51:10)
Mother Theresa said she saw the face of Jesus in the poor and dying which she served in Calcutta.
Over the last few years I have had the privilege of serving on the Board of Porto Charities, an organization that raises funds to support children with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the establishment of special education programs in the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Arlington. Among the characteristics common to these children are joy, simplicity, and purity of heart. Whenever I look at their big beautiful smiles, I see the face of God.
In many of these programs, the schools invite students from the general student body to serve as peer mentors to the students with disabilities. Many of these peer mentors speak of the blessings that flow from their association with the students with special needs. It seems that their joy and purity of heart have inspired several peer mentors to take up careers in special education.
How can each of us seek greater purity of heart?
This post was written by Bill Dalgetty, a Porto Charities' Board member. To read his blog, Christ in Life and Work, click here.
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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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November 29"The church is truly your home," the pope told people with disabilities. "We, all of us together, are the church, because Jesus chose to be our friend."Read More
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September 27Bishop Michael F. Burbidge celebrated the annual Mass for People with Disabilities at Holy Spirit Church in Annandale Sept. 26.Read More
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Calendar
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Wednesday, October 5, 7:00 PM - 7:30 PMBe the first to learn everything that it's going on at Porto, we have some busy months ahead and you don't want to miss it!Read More
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Friday, October 7, 8:00 AM
Due to a wonderful response from friends and supporters of Porto Charities, our golf tournament foursomes have all been filled. Please consider a donation and join us next year when we will increase the number of available foursomes.Read More -
Sunday, October 9, 11:00 AM
Bishop Burbidge will once again recognize October as Disability Awareness Month with an annual Mass - this year to be held on Sunday, October 9th at 11:00 am at St. Mark's Parish in Vienna. As always, Porto Charities will assist in the celebration and host a reception immediately following the Mass in St. Mark's Activities Center. All are welcome!Read More -
Monday, October 24, 7:00 PM - 8:15 PMMust Register for this informative webinarRead More
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