Dear Friends in Christ,

Please join us to raise awareness and funding to assist children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with the opportunity to receive an inclusive Catholic education and meaningful employment. It is Porto Charities’ mission to increase the educational and employment opportunities for these individuals through grants and advocacy programs supporting the Catholic Diocese of Arlington.

More and more diocesan families are looking for these same opportunities for their children, but there are not enough resources available for all Catholic schools and parishes to start or sustain programs that address these needs. 

We invite you to join us in-person on Saturday, June 24, 2023 for Embrace: the 1st Annual Porto Charities Advocacy Awards.  This year we will be honoring the four Diocesan high schools, (Bishop O’Connell, Bishop Ireton, St. John Paul the Great, and St. Paul VI) with special awards for their role as leaders in both inclusive education and meaningful employment.  In addition, Porto Charities Advocacy Awards will be given in three distinct categories recognizing the outstanding effort and impact the recipient has in inspiring an atmosphere of inclusion and belonging for students and young adults: Outstanding Parish/School, Outstanding Educator, and Outstanding Peer Mentor. 

The evening will be a wonderful event that will include Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop Burbidge with a reception and dinner to follow, along with a short awards program, music, and dancing. If you cannot join us, any donation, large or small, would be appreciated; and any sponsorship, large or small, would be greatly appreciated.

We thank you for your commitment to support inclusive Catholic education and employment for all of God’s children. May God continue to bless you and your families, and may the Holy Spirit Embrace you for your generous heart.   

Jerry & Pam Pelano 

Co-Chairs, 

Porto Charities Advocacy Awards