Volume Eight - March 2022
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From the Director's Desk...

Dear Friends,

As we emerge from the long shadow of COVID and witness the plight of Ukraine, our hearts are both hopeful and heavy. We pray for all those still affected by the pandemic and the people of Ukraine.

Amid these dark times, we must look to the light and there is light here in the Diocese of Arlington! With the Bishop's support and the tireless work of many volunteers, our mission of inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is moving forward:

  • The February 5th "From Inclusion to Belonging" webinar was a great success - more than 250 people attended our inaugural effort;

  • Porto's 2022 Grants have been awarded to a record number of schools and totaled over $100,000;

  • Our 2022 "Special Kids/Special Needs Fundraising Campaign" has been launched with outreach to the Diocese's parishes; please encourage your parish to participate in our second collection this year;

  • The much anticipated, and fun, "Mystery in Marrakesh" event WILL take place on April 7th at the Springfield Golf and Country Club - there is still time to buy your ticket! See details below.

  • Plans for Phase 2 of our employment initiative are taking shape with details to be announced in late Spring.

Larry Rzepka
Executive Director
Inclusion Catalysts
Recognizing our Friends who have made a Significant Difference toward an Inclusive Community
Holy Spirit Catholic School
Annandale, VA
Holy Spirit School is a parish school in the Diocese of Arlington that educates children from Pre-Kindergarten through Eighth Grade.

Holy Spirit School possesses the defining characteristics upon which authentic Catholic education is built. Namely, we are centered in the person of Jesus Christ; we contribute to the evangelizing mission of the Church; we are distinguished by excellence; we are committed to educating the whole child; we are steeped in a Catholic worldview; we are sustained by Gospel witness; we are shaped by communion and community; and we are accessible to students with varying abilities.

Holy Spirit School’s Resource program yearly adapts to meet the ever changing needs of our students and those in the Diocese. They offer an inclusive, faith-filled environment for students with intellectual disabilities and significant learning needs.

They are fortunate to have experienced and licensed special education teachers along with a certified academic language therapist to provide resource services to all of our students who require learning support.

The team is supported by paraeducators. The Resource Teachers provide individual and small group instruction in the Resource Room, as well as providing push-in support to students in the classroom. Our Resource Teachers also work to assist teachers, providing them tools and techniques to use within their own classrooms.
St. Anthony of Padua School
Arlington, VA
St. Anthony of Padua School fosters a love of Jesus and His Gospel, forming lifelong disciples in service to the Church and society while empowering its students to achieve academic excellence in a culturally diverse environment.

The Resource Center provides specialized support to students with a documented learning disability or a demonstrated learning need. The resource teachers provide small group or individual instruction in the resource room, visit classrooms to work with small groups, share lessons or strategies on studying and test taking, and partner with teachers to implement accommodations.
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Students with a documented learning disability may receive a Student Assistance Plan (SAP), which lists the classroom and testing accommodations that the student will receive. Parents are an integral part of the process, and are obligated to share educational/psychological testing results and any resulting plan with the school.

St. Anthony's provides students with mild to moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities access to an individualized, inclusive Catholic education. This gives students the opportunity to grow socially, spiritually, and academically in a Catholic environment. A primary goal for each student is to be as fully integrated as possible into the total life of the school community. 
2022 Porto Charities, Inc. Board of Directors
We are pleased and honored to announce that, due to our increase in outreach throughout the Diocese and additional programming efforts, we have felt the need to expand our Board of Directors. The amount of interest and dedication to our mission is inspiring and we at Porto feel blessed that so many are willing to serve.
2022 Porto Charities, Inc. Board of Directors

Officers
Leo Alonso, President
Bill Dalgetty, Vice President
John Reidt, Treasurer
Bill Mundy, Secretary

Directors
Art Bennett
Pat Cross
Chris Desmarais
Sheila Erhardt
Christine Fowler
Paul Frommelt
Dave Hoppe
Stew McHie
Gerald Pelano
Tony Stafford
Laura Weipert
Mystery in Marrakesh - April 7, 2022
Tickets Still Available!

We are excited to announce that Porto's third annual Mystery in Marrakesh event is back and scheduled to be held at the Springfield Golf and Country Club on Thursday, April 7, 2022 at 5:30 pm.

What is Mystery in Marrakesh? Imagine yourself on a bucket-list trip to Morocco, where you find yourself in the imperial city of Marrakesh. While your tour includes dinner and entertainment in the evening, you’ve lost the combination to your luggage, which contains the tickets to the show tonight! Thus begins a fun and exciting evening where teams compete by solving puzzles, playing games, and following clues, with the goal of collecting your luggage combination. Along the way one team will be crowned the winner of Mystery in Marrakesh 2022!

Captains are assigned to lead their teams of tourists in completing the challenges and finding the luggage combination. The teams are given instructions at the various Moroccan market stalls to perform the challenges, tasks, and puzzles. Challenges are timed and the team of tourists will have one hour to determine the luggage combination and recover the tickets to the evening’s entertainment.

New this year: additional minutes and clues may be bought on-site!

This is Inclusion in Action! Many of our guests are young adults with intellectual disabilities who fully participate in this event and look forward to it each year. You can help us make this a memorable night for them, while having fun yourself!

In addition to exploring the markets of Marrakesh while uncovering the mystery to your luggage combination, guests will enjoy dinner and wine, as well as catching up with family, old friends, and new acquaintances, all dedicated to helping children with special needs have the opportunity for an inclusive Catholic education, and giving adults with special needs assistance with meaningful employment in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington.

Seating is limited - so purchase your tickets NOW before they’re gone!
If you are unable to join us, please consider making a donation to support our efforts.
We Need Your Help!
Every year, Porto Charities is asked by more and more of our schools in the Diocese of Arlington for additional grant funds to expand their programs and services. As expected, sometimes there aren't enough funds to meet all their needs.

This is why we need your help...

Please consider a personal donation to Porto Charities as part of your annual contributions plan. Individual donations are needed to supplement the funds received in our annual parish 2nd collection as requested by the Bishop.

Your donation is tax deductible and is deeply appreciated.
Thank You for Supporting Porto Charities, Inc.!
Porto Charities Inc is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable and educational organization (Tax ID #30-0544129).
 Contributions to Porto Charities are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.