By Francine Poppo, SSND Educational Center (Queens, NY) Executive Director
The following story is excerpted from AM-SSND's 2024 Stewardship Report. It shares how the ministry you began in 2004 not only equips women with critical life skills, its ripples benefit the whole world, one student at a time.
Our students' needs vary, but most need help learning English and/or preparing for the GED.
Recently, we invited one student from our GED program and one student from our ESL program to write and present a speech at a donor appreciation event. Both were happy to accept.
The students asked for help from the staff and even their friends when they needed it. They rehearsed over and over. One even practiced in front of her classmates.
On the day of the event, the students arrived dressed up and prepared. Each spoke beautifully and with confidence. This was so heartwarming.
We also noticed something we had never expected. Both students “worked the room”!
They walked around, shaking hands with donors, engaging in conversation, and owning their places among these professionals.
The next day, the GED student told me, “One of our donors offered to write me a letter of recommendation when I graduate and to introduce me to our state senator. I want to make sure I follow up with him.”
Many students enter the Center without the confidence or skills they need to reach the fullness of their potential. Thanks to donors, staff, and the School Sisters of Notre Dame, they graduate empowered to take the next step.
