�This makes me proud to be Catholic�

By Tom Tracy - Florida Catholic

MIAMI | Christine Desiree had been resigned to making yet one more trip across town to pick up socks for her son, an eighth-grader at Archbishop Curley Notre Dame Prep, before the Aug. 22 start of school.

But scratch that errand off the list: the gift boxes of fresh school uniforms for students at the archdiocesan-run middle and high school included six pairs of socks, along with trousers, two tops, a cardigan sweater and other items — all provided through the generosity of local Catholics.

“‘This makes me proud to be Catholic, because last year we ended up spending well over $200 for uniforms alone and you know that the bigger they get, the more money the clothes cost,” said Desiree, herself a local Catholic who grew up at Miami’s St. Mary Cathedral School and Parish.

Desiree and her son, Kobe Desiree, were among the 270 student families at ACND who turned out for the Aug. 16 distribution of uniforms provided by local donors.  

“This made it so easy, and was a blessing that this was provided for the kids,” the mother said. “I know I am not the only parent who feels that I can use the extra money to pay for the tuition and to help my child out education-wise.”

Staff at the Archdiocese of Miami Development Office and the Office of Schools determined that providing school uniforms to the students at Curley Notre Dame was a priority and a need, so they utilized funds raised at an October 2013 fundraising gala to help satisfy that need.

A majority of the students at ACND receive some form of financial assistance. Items like uniforms and other accessories can pose additional financial hardships for families in need.

“In 2013, the Archdiocese of Miami hosted its 55th anniversary gala, A Church for the Poor, where we raised funds through the generosity of our Catholic community and beyond for social outreach programs within the Archdiocese of Miami,” said archdiocesan Development Director Katie Blanco.

She added that a number of social outreach programs have been supported from those funds, including a school supply drive last year for students in six of the poorest parishes.

'Ordinary little things'

“The need is always greater than the resources available; however, it is such a beautiful witness to our faith when we are able to come together to help those in need,” Blanco said. “As Pope Francis says, we should be helping one another with ordinary little things.

“It was clear that the lives of the ACND students and their families were impacted thanks to the generosity of our Catholic community,” Blanco added.

Trisha Bruno, a parent who said she grew up attending public schools, nevertheless likes the idea of a school uniform for her son, a senior at ACND.

“I think left to his own accord, he would drive the archdiocese absolutely insane,” Bruno said with a laugh. “He is a very colorful kid, nothing matches. His brother went to art school so they were all over the place, so I like a uniform for my son. I try to instill a little bit of discipline in his outgoing, free-thinking mind.”

Parent Denise Lorenzo, who has a son in 10th grade at ACND, said the uniform giveaway program will be beneficial to a lot of families here.

“I spend on average about $300 when I order everything — enough to last him through the school, and if I am lucky some of it will last for another year,” Lorenzo said, adding that the families will have to furnish suitable shoes.

“I really wouldn't want to be at a school where it is any different,” she added, because in schools with no uniform requirement “kids are going to be kids and they are going to come to school with whatever they want to wear.”

Set-up for success

Douglas Romanik, ACND principal and development director, was on hand to help coordinate the uniform distribution. He said that setting kids up for success includes allowing them to look professional with clothing that makes them feel professional.

The students were measured for their new uniforms in June, at the end of the last school year, said Romanik, who has worked at ACND for 11 years.

“Buying extras like school supplies and especially clothing is certainly one of the difficult expenses for families; and as kids grow you have to buy new clothes,” he said. “It is very satisfying and gratifying to be able to provide uniforms for each family with the help of the archdiocese.”

Romanik added that there’s a good reason for requiring uniforms.

“The more the students look professional the more we market the school as a quality Catholic school,” he said. “Students who are dressed professionally, act professionally, feel good about themselves and that lends to students’ success.”