Grassroots entrepreneurs The president and treasurer of a community bank in Senegal receive paym ents and make reports during a bi-monthly meeting that includes 15 to 100 women who have become grassroots entrepreneurs , thanks to a Catholic Relief Services "microfvnance"program.The agency, sponsored by the Catholic Church in the United States, makes small loans to help the poor start their own businesses in developing countries. A "Friends of CRS" prog ramstarted by participants in the RENEW at St. Denis Parish, Menlo Park, has helped raise $400, 000 for the prog ram. See Pages 12 and 13.
Sacred Heart School will stay open next year By Jack Smith K J 1 an
Francisco's struggling Sacred Heart Elementary School has won a reprieve in its fight to stay open, thanks to the fundraising efforts of Jesuit Father Charles Gagan and a decision by Archbishop William J. Levada. The Western Addition school has suffered from budget deficits and low enrollment for several years. Over the last seven year's, the Archdioceseof San Francisco has provided more than $1 million in subsidies to the school. San Francisco's Basic Fund, a privately funded scholarshiporganization, provides about $100,000 in tuition assistanceper year. Because of Sacred Heart's financial situation and the limited ability of the Archdiocese to provide further subsidies, Sacred Heart seemedpoised to close. But on May 14 Archbishop Levada issued a statement saying, "Yes, Sacred Heart School will remain open next year and I am very grateful to Father Gaganfor heading up the fundraising efforts. " The Archbishop expressed his gratitude to the many people who have contributed to the school, which includes a number of non-Catholics. Father Gagan, pastor of Saint Ignatius parish in San Francisco, said he expects to exceed his fundraising goal of $350,000. Sacred Heart will also receive a $50,000 subsidy from the Archdiocese next year. He is working with others to develop a plan to ensure the school's long term viability.Three committees are being organized to help Sacred Heart toward that goal.
A finance committee co-chaired by Saint Ignatius parishioner, Peter Newell and David Lickman of First Republic Bank will work to help the school become financially solvent. "The first tiring the finance committee will do is have an audit," Fattier Gagan said, "We want to assuredonors that their money is being well spent." Father Gagan hopes that by carefully monitoring the situation and updating donors on the school's progress, people will be motivated to make long term commitments to Sacred Heart. An academic committee co-chaired by Mrs. Reese Fernandes, the Sacred Heart principal, and Dr, Paul Warren, dean of the University of San Francisco's School of Education, will work to develop strategies to increase student performance. Saint Ignatius parishioner Bill Campbell will head a strategic planning committee which will help Sacred Heart reach its three goals of increasing student enrollment and test scores and bringing more parental and community involvement to the school. In addition, Father Gagan said that the California Jesuit Province will provide the salary for a part time development director at the school. Mrs. Fernandes said, "I' m grateful to Fattier Gagan for coming to my rescue and .'ÂŚ sharing my vision with so much tenacity.I'm also grateful to the Archbishop for giving the youth of the Western Addition an opportunity." Father Gagan said he has received about twelve major gifts up to as large as $100,000. He has also receivednumerous smaller gifts totaling approximately $40,000 as a resultof news coveragein CatholicSan Franciscoand other publications. If you would like to help Sacred Heart School, contact Fattier Gagan at 650 Parker Ave., San Francisco, CA94118 or call (415) 422-2188.