Category Archives: Category: 2023 NEWSLETTERS

Shepherds KCHS ’24 Student, Dannylo Goes to Lourdes, France…

| September 8, 2022

…and comes back a changed young man. Under the auspices of the Order of Malta, Dannylo joined the Youth Pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, the week of August -16 for a week of service. This annual pilgrimage of youth from around the world provided a life changing experience in service, spiritual growth, and fellowship. Danylo’s trip was sponsored by one of Shepherds founders and many time mentors, Hope Carter.

When asked about his experience, Danylo said it was a bit overwhelming at first, he only knew one other person but slowly met lots of other welcoming students from all over the world. Dannylo described the week as eye opening. He was often struck by the many young people who came for healing, many who had serious struggles, yet they had a sense of humor, and great hope.

Dannylo was moved by their joyful attitudes even in the face of difficulty. Dannylo also described his own spiritual experience during the evening Rosary. He was asked to carry the statue of Mary on to the stage where he looked out at the thousands of people gathered with candles and chanting the words of the Rosary; it was a powerful moment.

 

April 2022 Executive Director Letter

| April 8, 2022

Dear Shepherds Friends,

We here in the northeast know this time of year is a season of transitions – a driving cold rain one day, 70 degrees and shorts the next, birds returning to wake us, but probably most noticeable are the brighter mornings and longer days…..

Translate that to our everyday life here at Shepherds and we have the close-out of a great winter sports season for our two schools (Kolbe Cathedral in State basketball finals, Notre Dame winning State Hockey Finals!), finally indoor mentor and student events, the return to touring colleges, and this year, say Hallelujah, a healthier environment and at least a mask-optional school life for our students!

What does Spring bring Shepherds?  The exciting news is that our seniors are receiving a great number of college admissions letters with financial packages coming in, our juniors are getting serious about their grades and their prep work for the college, freshmen and sophomore teams rebuilding variably dormant Covid relationships, and our mentors and staff are jumping in with more organized activities for students and mentors to enjoy time together.

Here in Bridgeport, my colleagues and I are very actively recruiting and screening new mentors and reviewing and interviewing student applications for the incoming Class of 2026.  With 15 students graduating and the strong momentum of our organization, we hope to bring in at least 20 students this fall. To do so, we continue to need your support financially and networking for mentors and donors to support this large class.  All ideas are welcomed!

Our deep appreciation as always goes to Shepherds mentors, parents, and our school partners for the guidance and support you provide our 61 Shepherds students. We look forward to seeing more of your smiles many times this spring!

Dan

 

 

February 2022 Executive Director Letter

| February 23, 2022

Dear Shepherds Friend,

What do the Super Bowl, the onset of serious basketball, the anticipation of spring training,  and the lowering of masking requirements have in common?

Spring is almost here! The first three have been long with us, the last we hope is soon long gone! For many these late winter months can be dreary, but for Shepherds they’re never weary… this is when Shepherds hits its stride.

Our students are in the heart of their academic year. We’re especially proud of the 32 Shepherds students who made their school’s Honor Rolls for the first semester. Our 15 Shepherds Seniors have received an impressive number of college acceptances and now await their financial packages.

Shepherds Mentors are engaging their students with in-person lunches and outside activities that help expand our students’ world beyond Bridgeport and New Haven.  Shepherds school liaisons have organized several student – mentor opportunities as the Newsletter describes. This is also the time when we begin building the students and mentors for the incoming Class of 2026.

As we await warmer days and shorter nights, spring’s optimism for the future has already sprung at Shepherds! Thank you to all the mentors who joined us at the January ND Mentor Appreciation Game Night and the February KCHS Mentor Appreciation Cocktail party. Here’s to our Mentors!

Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to the sunny skies and bright futures of our wonderful students.

Dan

 

 

 

January 2022 Executive Director Letter

| January 12, 2022

Dear Shepherds Friend,

The start of 2022 brings with it a feeling of a fresh start, and I don’t think it is just this very chilly weather! We have a great many exciting things to look forward to in the new year.

Firstly, Shepherds is excited to announce that Shepherds Alumna Gina Garzon, Shepherds/Trinity High School Class of 2005, will be joining the Shepherds board of Directors. Gina will be a great resource to our program. The entire Shepherds community welcomes her talents, experience, and ideas.

Over the past two years, the Shepherds team and community has perfected our motto of, ‘Adapt, Innovate and Overcome.” The new year gives us another chance to build on what we’ve experienced and learned and do a better job at accomplishing our education, social, and development goals.

  • Education: Our school partners, in particular, have adapted and overcome. Kudos to them for achieving the priority of what is most important and most at risk for our young people. Both of our partner schools are back fully in-person in the classroom, following appropriate health safety protocols and precautions, and being flexible as needed for individual circumstances.
  • Our Shepherds Liaisons are closely tracking academic performance and intervening swiftly with helpful guidance and support as we approach the end of the first semester. All mentors are welcome to reach out to either Lisa Matson (KCHS) or Martie Giammatteo (NDWH) if they have concerns.
  • Social: On top of academic support, each school’s liaison is organizing fun student-mentor activities to encourage the post-holiday re-connection of our student-mentor teams. Recognizing the challenges that Omicron presents, flexibility and potential rescheduling are part of their game plans and will be communicated in advance. I encourage mentors and students to make the effort if all parties feel safe in the settings planned for events.
  • Development: There are two critical elements in addition to our students and their families that keep Shepherds going: Mentors and Money. This month we begin our recruiting process for mentors and financial sponsors for the Shepherds Class of 2026. We also begin the process of identifying prospective Shepherds students for this Class with our partner schools.

I invite all members of the Shepherds community to think about and invite any friends, family members, work colleagues whom they think might be interested      in joining the Shepherds team as a mentor or a financial sponsor to contact me or Jane MacDonald to discuss the opportunity.  KCHS mentors are welcome to      invite a mentor “candidate” to our Mentor Appreciation event on Feb 10. See below for more information.

Thank you to all mentors, students, families, our partner schools, and supporters for continuing to be such generous and considerate believers in the Shepherds’ mission. You are truly changing lives!

Dan

 

 

 

Your Financial Support of Shepherds has Made a Big Impact

| December 20, 2021

For more than two decades Shepherds has been working to close the education opportunity gap in Southwestern Connecticut. Our students both graduate on time and enroll in college at much higher rates than their peers in their communities.

Shepherds Students graduate high school on time at a rate in line with neighboring suburbs like Fairfield, Westport, Woodbridge, and Madison.

Shepherds is bridging the education opportunity gap for our students!

 

Help Shepherds Continue Our Work at Closing the Opportunity Gap

| November 10, 2021
director announcement

Since 1998, Shepherds’ singular mission has been to help close the opportunity gap for underserved, inner-city Connecticut youths. The pandemic experience and its aftermath have only widened the social and financial disparities for many in these communities.

Shepherds comprehensive program providing educational opportunity, the personal guidance of a mentor, and life skills training have allowed over 325 students to graduate from high school, to cross that bridge, and go onto college and productive careers.

I write at this time to ask that you consider the many benefits your hard work and good fortune have brought you and consider making an investment to help build the bridge across that gap.

As we enter this time of thanksgiving with a spirit of appreciation and generosity, let’s work together to provide those opportunities to more students and families and build a better life for not only these young people and their families but our own communities as well.

Thank you in advance for your support, and best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season.

With sincere gratitude,

 

 

Daniel R. McAuliffe, Jr.
Executive Director

Shepherds, Inc. is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

September 2021 Executive Director Letter

| September 24, 2021

Dear Shepherds Friend,

Many often think Spring is the time of year that is full of new beginnings. But when your mission is facilitating the education of young people, Fall becomes that time of excitement and wonder about what is to come.

Earlier this month, we welcomed the eleven students of the Kolbe Cathedral Shepherds Class of 2025 and the five young men of Notre Dame Shepherds Class of 2025. At the time of publication, our Class of 2025 mentors have undergone most of their training, Kolbe Cathedral Shepherds Students and Mentors have met last Saturday for the first time, and Shepherds is preparing for Notre Dame’s new Shepherds Students and Mentors to meet this Saturday.

Beginnings aren’t just for the freshman. After a nearly a year and a half of hybrid/remote learning, distanced from their friends, teammates and teachers, sophomore, junior and senior Shepherds Students and Mentors are enjoying fresh starts too. New classes, new teachers, new challenges and new opportunities await Students and Mentors alike. Take advantage of the beautiful fall weather and plan some fun outdoor activities. In this newsletter, you will find some great options to spend time together.

Putting brackets on the beginning and still evolving experience that Shepherds offers Mentors and Students, this month’s Newsletter features video interviews with Shepherds Board Director and Class of 2025 Mentor Tom Wynne and Shepherds Notre Dame Class of 2017 graduate Jerrell Dorsey (Babson College, ’21). If you want to see what makes Shepherds work and what makes it successful, watch these two short interviews.

Shepherds is kicking-off the school year with a fresh start too. We welcome a new Director of Development, Jane MacDonald. Jane has extensive experience in the non-profit fund raising world at major healthcare institutions and non-profits in the CT/NY metropolitan area. Jane brings drive, creativity, initiative to the critical role of helping us build the financial resources required for Shepherds to fulfill our mission of “Changing Lives … One Student at a Time.” I trust many of you will be getting to know Jane in the months ahead and are welcomed to contact her with any ideas or referrals.

And so the adventure of a new school year begins! Enjoy, have fun and, of course, be careful!

Dan McAuliffe

 

Back to School Letter from Dan McAuliffe

| August 26, 2021

Dear Shepherds Friend,

Welcome to the beginning of a new school year! This is an exciting time as Shepherds welcomes sixteen new young people to our Shepherds’ Class of 2025. We’ve all been highly impressed and encouraged the by way this class of students has bonded in two programs held this two summer – Shepherds’ Cougar Camp for Kolbe Cathedral freshman in August and the Notre Dame’s Summer Xperience held earlier this summer.

It is also an exciting time because our recently graduated Class of 2021 is launching into the next phase of their academic careers. We’ve had a few of these Shepherds graduates stop by our office and it’s been wonderful to see the excitement and confidence they have about their futures. Seeing our graduates achieving their dreams makes all of us at Shepherds very proud of them.

In this newsletter you will see two stories reflecting our past. These stories highlight the enduring nature of what the Shepherds program provides both the student and the mentor. One is about former Shepherds Board Member and Mentor, Ruby Melton. Ruby and her mentee, Ernie Santiago NDWH ’18, remain close friends as he finishes up his degree in nursing at Quinnipiac University. Another look back comes from KCHS ’16 alumnus Jason Howell. In a recent Zoom interview, he discusses the importance of his mentor for life, Tom Luciano. These stories reassure me that we are succeeding in our mission.

As we begin the new school year full of great hope and anticipation, we are obviously still saddled with the COVID-19 pandemic. Our school partners are doing a wonderful job ensuring the academic environment is as normal as possible during this time. We are grateful for their hard work.

While the school year ahead may have some bumps in the road here and there, Shepherds is confident that together with our school partners, our Shepherds Mentors and Students, we can navigate the challenges ahead. “Adapt, Innovate, and Overcome” remains Shepherds’ motto this year and it reflects a deep commitment to our mission of Changing Lives…One Student at a Time – no matter what curves life throws our way. Thank you for your many and generous contributions of time and treasure, and most of all your caring!

Stay safe, well and let’s enjoy the future!

Dan McAuliffe

Shepherds received great news this summer – three of Shepherds’ foundation donors increase their grants to Shepherds!

| July 30, 2021
director announcement
Dear Shepherds Friend,
Each year Shepherds applies for grants from approximately 15 – 20 private family, corporate and community foundations to help fund elements of Shepherds programs not covered by mentors, individual sponsors, donors and Board of Directors.
Foundation grants typically contribute 15-20% of our total annual budget. They help fund tuition expenses, mentor programming and support, along with academic skills, college prep and career planning.
In recent weeks, we are grateful and honored to report that three of our most loyal and generous grantor foundations sent us checks increasing their funding to Shepherds:

All of these foundation grants and the other ones funding Shepherds come from personal relationships developed over time. There is little effectiveness in “cold-calling” a foundation. You have an introduction, an “in”, for most foundations to allow a non-rofit to apply for a grant in th first place.

We ask all readers of this Newsletter if you have an affiliation with a foundation or know the name of a foundation that would be interested in supporting an organization like Shepherds, to kindly consider introducing Shepherds to the key people at the foundation. You never know which door will open and what difference new funding can make to the young people and families we serve!  

Best wishes for a continued safe and hopefully relaxing August! We’ll see you in September!

NDWH Mentor Spotlight: Dr. Andre Sofair

| July 30, 2021

Dr. Andre Sofair is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Yale Medical School and holds a secondary appointment in the School of Public Health’s Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases. In addition to this impressive resume, Dr. Sofair has spent the past four years as a Shepherds Mentor to graduating NDWH student, Jamar, who will be attending Trinity College this fall. Dr. Sofair found the experience so rewarding that he has signed up to mentor an incoming Notre Dame freshman/Shepherds Student this fall.

When asked what made the mentoring experience so enjoyable that he volunteered to mentor again, Dr. Sofair said, “Very few things are as valuable as a good education. It is what gives you wings to soar and explore the world.  It gives you the skills to contribute to your community and freedom to choose how to do so.  I can think of no better way to share my time then to mentor a young man during his high school years.”

Thank you to Dr. Sofair and all our Shepherds Mentors for guiding our Shepherds Students.