by Nick Vendikos
Director of Development
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that New York Knicks head coach Derek Fisher recommended The Positive Dog by Jon Gordon to rookie Kristaps Porzingis.
As a “wannabe” author and writer, I figured I, too, would give it a read. The work is life-changing. And that’s not hyperbole. Gordon uses a story about two dogs to teach about the power of positivity. Now this transcends all levels of our daily existence: relationships, work, family, friends … you name it and the lessons taught are life-changing.
It flows like a tributary into a river for our goals at Futures in Education. Basically, Gordon says changing a simple phrase from “have to” to “get to” can change one’s outlook. For us at Futures, those are truthful words.
We “get to” provide opportunities to youngsters from financially disadvantaged families to offer them a cutting-edge Catholic education based on a moral and spiritual foundation. Is there a greater gift to give? We “get to” provide approximately $8 million in financial aid to families who have no where else to turn but Futures. These parents, who too often struggle to make ends meet on a day-to-day basis, are willing to sacrifice for their daughters and sons so their kids have the opportunity for a better life. They “get to” that opportunity through your amazing generosity — a benevolence that has increased over 25 years of service to the students of Brooklyn and Queens.
While the monetary figures are staggering — $11 million in needed aid went unfulfilled during the last academic year, collectively we “get to” close the gap as the academic year begins to make sure that no student is denied a Catholic school education in our diocese due to financial constraints.
We “get to” tell you about students thriving inside the classroom. Youngsters who are so appreciative of your gifts that over 500 people attended a reception at CitiField last March to say “thank you” to their Angels. You “get to” feel the pride that your generosity is a way of thanking your family and those who helped shape you, as well as paying tribute to the living endowments of Catholic schools: the priests, sisters and brothers who sacrificed their lives to educate us. You also have a unique responsibility and “get to” tell your family, friends, colleagues and other contacts about Futures in Education and the students entrusted to our care.
“To get” to make a gift now, please click here.
For more information about our Silver Anniversary Scholarship Dinner on October 15 at the Waldorf Astoria New York honoring Louis Grassi, President & CEO of Grassi & Co., Louis S. Milo, President of Milrose Consultants, and paying special tribute to our previous honorees, please click here.
Finally, many of you have already made gifts this year or throughout the years. Perhaps it is time to think about your legacy by leaving a planned gift to Futures in Education and joining our Fons Vitae Society. For more information or any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at nvendikos@cfbq.org or 718-965-7308 ext. 1624.