Brown Foundation presents ‘service-learning’ grants to 23 Catholic schools

By Beth Donze, Kids’ Clarion Editor

On Sept. 12, the Joe and Dorothy Dorsett Brown Foundation awarded service-learning grants totaling $270,000 to 62 area schools, among them 14 Catholic elementary and nine Catholic high schools.

The foundation supports projects that challenge young people to apply their academic skills to the design and implementation of community service projects targeting a variety of populations, including the homeless, hungry, elderly, poor and those with special needs.

The Sept. 12 award ceremony, held in Kenner at the Pontchartrain Center, was anchored by a service-learning fair at which young attendees could browse the booths of more than 70 non-profits, learn about their service-learning successes and take home information on volunteer opportunities. Brown Grants are available to public, charter, private and parochial schools in a nine-civil parish area.

Kids’ Clarion congratulates the following Catholic elementary schools that received Brown grants for the 2017-18 school year:

• Christian Brothers School: 2nd graders partner with residents of Vista Shores Assisted Living Center to make blankets for children served by Ronald McDonald House.
• Mary Queen of Peace: 7th graders present a lesson on how seeds grow at St. Michael Special School.
•  Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Chalmette: Middle schoolers learn about recycling; conduct year-long drive to collect pull tabs from cans to donate to Ronald McDonald House Charities.
•  St. Ann: 6th and 7th graders partner with students at The Good Shepherd School.
•  St. Anthony, Gretna: Students learn about the elderly, visit residents of Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Center.
• St. Benedict the Moor: Kindergartners write letters of thanks to the Louisiana National Guard; 1st graders learn about pet care, provide treats and toys for companion animals at the Louisiana SPCA; 2nd graders learn about recycling, hold a Mardi Gras bead drive for St. Michael Special School; 3rd graders pair up with retired Sisters of the Holy Family as “GrandFriends”; 4th graders learn about individuals with disabilities, design and implement activities for students at St. Michael Special School.
• St. Clement of Rome: 2nd graders befriend residents of Sunrise Living Center and collaborate with them on making blankets for clients of Angel’s Place; 6th graders author and share books with students at St. Michael Special School
• St. Dominic: 7th grade religion class prepares meals for the Rebuild Center and minister to Vista Shores Assisted Living Center residents.
• St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: Grades 4-6 partner with LSU Ag Center’s Youth Wetlands Program to restore plants and trees in three key areas; 6th graders teach butterfly life cycle to kindergartners at The Good Shepherd School; 7th graders plan, prepare and serve meals to homeless guests of the Rebuild Center.
• St. Francis Xavier: Grades 5-7 partner with St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy and Adult Learning Center to provide medical and school supplies.
• St. Joan of Arc, LaPlace: 5th graders organize a fundraising walkathon to buy items for activity carts at Children’s Hospital.
• St. Margaret Mary: 6th graders create care packages for the homeless at Community Christian Concern and Mount Olive Ministry.
• St. Pius X: 7th graders partner with youngsters served by St. Mary of the Angels Head Start Center.
• Sacred Heart of Jesus, Norco: Students gather personal care items and non-perishable food for Ozanam Inn.