Porto Charities, Inc. awards grants to Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia for activities consistent with its mission. The Mission of Porto Charities is to provide children with special needs the opportunity for inclusive Catholic education, and adults with special needs, assistance with meaningful employment in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. The process is competitive, and awards are given for a one-year period. Applications may be submitted no later than March 1, 2021.

Our Lady of Good Counsel School (OLGC), Vienna, VA has been given a grant from Porto Charities, Inc. to employ Ms. Celeste Fernandes as an instructional assistant. Ms. Celeste will start on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 and work this school year with Ms. Pearson in 3rd grade, room 6.

Bishop Ireton High School, Alexandria, VA developed a position specifically to help move Ireton into a fully inclusive environment, providing a high-quality Catholic education to all students, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The move toward inclusion has been a topic of planning for multiple years at Bishop Ireton and is one championed by Bishop Burbidge as well as our current administrative team.

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge Appoints Dr. Joseph E. Vorbach, III Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Arlington.

Porto Charities, Inc. (PCI) supports new Heart House Production of “HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING”.

A meeting of pastors and principals highlights priorities for local Catholic schools. Pastors and principals met at St. Mark Church in Vienna Nov. 5 to talk about including students with special needs, retaining students and the importance of school safety. The meeting was hosted by the Office of Catholic Schools.

In a first for the diocese, a single Mass was used to honor both Respect Life Month and Disabilities Awareness Month at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Vienna Oct 7.

The National Catholic Educational Association awarded Porto Charities the Seton Award as part of its annual gala at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington Oct. 1.

People with intellectual disabilities already are welcomed at five diocesan schools, but a nonprofit organization hopes all diocesan schools will provide comprehensive special education services.