CCF-LA News | June 18, 2024 | |
Graduations are a right and a rite! | |
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Kathy Anderson
President and Executive Director
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Looking back to our grade school, high school, and college graduations, each graduation served as a milestone that was the most important event in our lives during that June. Graduation was a big day; it meant new clothes and shoes, a cap and gown, anticipation of receiving a diploma, and recognition for scholastics, leadership, sports, the arts, and other activities. In some cases, it meant saying goodbye to our friends, but in all cases, it was a moment that made us, our parents, and our relatives very proud. During the rite of graduation, we earned the right to move forward with our aspirations. | | |
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Moving from grade school to high school and then to college was hard work if we had our eye on the prize of being accepted to our first choice for high school or college. Graduation itself was a rite of passage expressed in the form of a diploma, a ceremony, and a celebration party. While the ceremony and parties are but a blink in time, it’s the diploma that is lasting and has earned us the right to move ahead along the spectrum of higher learning.
Success comes from the right to a great education that is earned through a diploma. Being able to read, write, and communicate is a big part of the equation. It’s the breadth and depth of the human spirit expressed in faith, ethics, compassion, leadership, good sportsmanship, honesty, and integrity that ultimately results in a successful life. Success is not measured only by career, title, and income; it is measured in character. How we make the most of the knowledge we earn and the character we develop is what makes us pleasing to God, and that’s what matters most.
In June, we particularly recognize and congratulate our Catholic graduates from elementary schools, high schools, colleges, universities, and graduate schools for the diplomas they earned and the right to move forward to achieve their career and life ambitions.
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Educational Journeys: Balancing Priorities and Fostering Success
As we celebrate graduation season, I am reminded of a keynote speech I once heard emphasizing the importance of balancing life's priorities. The speaker described juggling five balls: work, family, health, friends, and faith. Work, he said, is like a rubber ball—if you drop it, it bounces back. The other four are glass—if you drop them, they crack and may never be the same. This metaphor highlights the delicate balance we must maintain to prioritize what truly matters.
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Tania Naaman
Director of Client Services
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At the Catholic Community Foundation of Los Angeles (CCF-LA), we are dedicated to supporting educational institutions that help students achieve the right to education and the rite of graduation. Through various funds, we provide essential resources that enhance their educational experience.
Notre Dame Academy Los Angeles, for example, holds several scholarship accounts with us, along with an agency account for general operating needs. Schools like Corpus Christi School and the University of Notre Dame benefit from similar arrangements, as do American Martyrs, St. Lawrence of Brindisi Catholic School, and St. Paul of the Cross Catholic School, to name a few. Many of our scholarship funds are named for a beloved teacher or student, and they have requirements like good grades, school involvement, and financial need.
CCF-LA is honored to play a role in supporting schools and students through their educational journeys and graduations. We are privileged to be a channel for these vital resources, helping to nurture the next generation of leaders. Congratulations to all our graduates! May you continue to balance your priorities and achieve great success in all your endeavors.
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CCF-LA is moving to Glendale this summer!
We are all eagerly anticipating this exciting change! In May, we kicked off many projects with the start of construction at our new office. The new offices are more efficient for our "team work" culture. Pending the city of Glendale's approval, we are looking at a mid-July move-in date. We cannot wait to show you our new space!
Gina Lopez
Operations Manager
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On a personal note,
I want to congratulate my daughter, Sophia Lopez, on her graduation from La Salle College Preparatory in Pasadena. The celebration was held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The day was a wonderful reminder of how our meaningful work with our Scholarship program at CCF-LA impacts our future leaders.
Gina Lopez
Operations Manager
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William Cruz
Manager of Business Development
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Parish Catholic schools are more than ABC’s and 1-2-3’s.
Catholic elementary schools stand as pillars of character development, academic excellence, and spiritual growth. At the heart of this educational endeavor lies not just the efforts of teachers and administrators but the robust support of the parish community. It is within this nurturing environment that the seeds of character are sown, often beginning in the formative years of kindergarten. I know!
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The parish school serves as the backbone of Catholic education, providing vital support in various forms. In the nurturing environment of a Catholic elementary school, prekindergarten and kindergarten students, continuing through all eight grades, receive a blend of rigorous academic instruction, religious education, and social interaction while learning fundamental Catholic virtues such as kindness, empathy, honesty, and respect. These virtues are not merely taught but woven into the fabric of daily life, reinforced through prayers, stories, and classroom activities.
Contributing to the success of Catholic school education, parish elementary schools can provide tuition assistance for those in need, opportunities to volunteer, and many activities promoting leadership such as sports, student government, performing arts, science fairs, field trips, and more. Through fundraisers, donations, and parishioner involvement, the parish community rallies behind the school, ensuring its continued operation and growth.
Join the CCFL-LA effort to spread the great joy of giving, especially to support Catholic elementary schools. Please call us if you know an individual or an organization that can benefit from our philanthropic management solutions. We welcome your referral.
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May Performance Financial Market Updates | |
The May 2024 Performance Report for the pooled funds managed by CCF-LA. For the month of May, the Balanced Pool portfolio returned +3.00%, net of fees. The Balanced Pool fund has earned +4.80% YTD, slightly below the benchmark of +5.27%. While the overall approach of the fund is a long-term outlook and to “stay the course” within the allocation ranges, we continually review the performance of both the advisor and individual fund managers to achieve optimal results. As a result, we are in the process of making changes. The Intermediate Fund pool returned +1.28% and the estimated annual yield on the Short-Term Investment Fund account is currently +5.13%. | |
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Armando Nevarez
Controller and Assistant Treasurer
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Markets rallied in May, showing further resilience after a volatile April pullback. Investors continue to grapple with Fed rate cut expectations but retained some optimism around second half of 2024 cuts.
The U.S. equity market, as measured by the S&P 500 Index, gained +5.0% in May to bring year to date appreciation to +11.3%. International stock indices were also up in May, with developed markets adding +3.9% as measured by the MSCI EAFE Index. In fixed income, the Bloomberg US Aggregate Index earned +1.7% in May, as yields declined after a sharp rise in April.
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CBBBS Honoring T. Matthew Hansen
CCF-LA sponsored the annual Champions for Youth Gala for Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters. We vividly remember Matthew Hansen last year as their Chairman at the podium speaking about how important youth mentoring is for so many kids who are less fortunate. This year, Matthew’s family was at the podium to receive an award "For Many Years of Leadership" in Matthew’s honor. We all miss him and his legacy lives on.
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Back, L-R: Ken Martinet, Ramis Hansen, Edward Hansen (Matt’s brother), Front, L-R: Sofia & Connor Hansen | | |
In Memory of T. Matthew Hansen | | |
L-R: Kathy, Vanessa, Alexandra, Aileen, Miranda, Esmeralda, Samantha, Shelby, & Janette | |
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A Catholic Girls High School makes a difference-NDA Academy
Our team had the privilege of presenting seven scholarships funded by CCF-LA to Notre Dame Academy students.
These young ladies were very grateful, along with quite a few parents who approached us after the ceremony to show their appreciation for the Catholic Community Foundation of Los Angeles. It’s times like these that show the good work in all we do. Notre Dame Academy
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Queen of Angels Center for Priestly Formation Graduation
On May 17th, CCF-LA has attended the Baccalaureate Mass for our intern, Cesar Sepulveda, at St. Lawrence Martyr Church. Archbishop José Gomez was there to celebrate three graduating students. Well done to these three outstanding young men in formation to attend St. John Seminary this fall.
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Congratulations St. Andrew Catholic School Scholarship Recipients!
On June 11, 2024, CCF-LA had presented six scholarships from the Edmund H. Shea, Jr. Scholarship Fund to St. Andrew Catholic School. Principal, Mr. Jae Kim and the staff were all so welcoming. The ceremony was a success, and the CCF-LA team was honored to participate.
St. Andrew Catholic School
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L-R: Mr. Kim, Hugo, Matthew, Analia, Karla, Amiyah, John, & Janette | | |
L-R: Anna, Sofia, Kathy, Connor, & Pablo |
Holy Family Elementary School
Scholarship awards were made at Holy Family Catholic School in Glendale on June 13. Kathy was there with the Hansen family, including children Sofia and Conor (pictured here with the Pre-K and Kinder students that received the scholarship certificates), to make the first scholarships from the T. Matthew Hansen Memorial Scholarship Fund.
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Kathy advised these parents, "This fund particularly honors Matthew’s commitment to our faith and to Catholic school education." Matthew passed away last October, and a group of friends and family members established this fund in his memory.
The Hansen family on hand for this event also included Mathew’s wife, Ramis, and his mother, Carlota. They all live in Glendale and were delighted to select this school to receive these scholarships.
T. Matthew Hansen Memorial Fund
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Serra Immortals Awards Wall of Honorees
On June 15th the Serra Immortals, Cavalier Legends, and Wall of Honor Honorees Awards Induction Ceremony was hosted at Junipero Serra High School's Senior Lawn. Among the outstanding alumni honored, Bob Caniglia was awarded the Serra Immortal Award as an influential philanthropist, leader, and model of what it means to be a Serra Man. Congratulations to our esteemed client, Bob Caniglia.
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Ethical Leadership Luncheon
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles, in partnership with Farmers & Merchants Bank, hosted the inaugural Ethical Leadership Lunch on Friday, May 17th, held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels’ Conference Center.
| This event was attended by 500 Catholic leaders from the business world to discuss how ethical business practices can positively impact our community and uplift those in need. | |
Tania, with our clients-Bob Keeler & St. Mary Sean Hodges | | |
Far Right: Armando Nevarez | |
Our Lady of Guadalupe School
On May 10th, Our Lady of Guadalupe School held their annual golf tournament; The school has been serving students from pre-kindergarten through the eighth grade in the East Los Angeles communities since 1950. Proceeds from the tournament support tuition and education programs. The Catholic Community Foundation of Los Angeles was a sponsor, and our Controller and Treasurer, Armando Nevarez, (our resident golfer), played in the tournament.
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St. Francis X Cabrini Scholars | |
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Mission Statement
The Catholic Community Foundation of Los Angeles empowers charitable individuals and organizations across cultures and generations through professional philanthropy management solutions that allow clients to develop and sustain their philanthropy in support of Catholic values.
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