“Mom, please do something…call the school.“
For Cesarea and her daughters, the public school suddenly became a source of anxiety and fear. Her daughters faced relentless bullying and harassment, with little support from the school’s administration. As native Spanish speakers, the language barrier only complicated communications with the school and deepened the family’s sense of helplessness. Cesarea knew she had to find a safer alternative. Through Holy Rosary, the family’s parish, Cesarea discovered Risen Christ – a school where her daughters could be safe and receive the academic support they needed.
Cesarea worried that private school tuition was beyond her family’s reach. But at Risen Christ, the family was met with open arms and compassionate staff who assured her they would find a way. Through the support of generous supporters and partners – we did. Risen Christ provided over $11,000 in tuition assistance for Cesarea’s daughters in one year alone. Not only did the girls discover comfort at Risen Christ, but a community where they could learn, grow and truly belong.
Risen Christ is a school that cares about parents too. The teachers and staff listen to us parents, and they listen to the students.
– Cesarea, Risen Christ Parent
Reflecting on her experience, Cesarea commented, “Risen Christ is a school that cares about parents too. The teachers and staff listen to us parents and they listen to the students – they really respect this partnership. My daughters have been able to succeed academically.”
Today, the two eldest daughters attend high school at Cristo Rey, while the two younger daughters, Xochitl and Lupita, attend Risen Christ in grades 5 and 7. It is only because of you that we are able to provide the financial and academic resources Cesarea’s daughters needed to thrive.
“My first year at Risen Christ was one of tremendous growth, thanks to my teachers.“
-Carolina, 2024 Graduate
Cesarea’s daughter Carolina (Class of 2024) recalled her experience at Risen Christ:
“At the beginning, it was really difficult. My grades were bad and I had trouble getting along with my classmates. I was afraid of being alone and I was shy. But my homeroom teacher encouraged me. When I was too shy to participate, my teacher told me, ‘Don’t be afraid, you can do it and you won’t be alone.’ Since that day I have taken her advice. I don’t have to be afraid of asking or answering questions, and I even volunteered to be the goalie of our soccer team. This was the first time I was really brave. My first year at Risen Christ was one of tremendous growth thanks to my teachers.
Being a student here, I really learned a lot. Risen Christ is where you can be yourself and not be shy of showing who you are. I made friends that made me feel that I belong at this school.“
By the time she graduated, Risen Christ had changed the trajectory of Carolina’s academic journey. She significantly improved in all her subjects and now aims to become a dentist.
Carolina and her sisters represent just one of many inspirational stories at Risen Christ, where we are committed to helping all students reach their full potential – in mind, body and spirit to live and lead as disciples of Jesus Christ.
The challenges faced by students like Carolina, her sisters and their classmates – poverty, emotional trauma, language barriers, and educational disparities, among others – are significant. While these obstacles may seem overwhelming, your support of our mission makes it possible for students to overcome the odds by discovering their gifts through faith and perseverance.
Carolina and her sisters dream of big futures.
It’s all because you believed in them.
With your continued support, we can carry this mission forward and always make sure that students like Carolina are equipped and positioned for positively impacting our world. Carolina and her sisters dream of bright futures and it’s all because you believed in them. We hope you will prayerfully consider how you can be a part of this transformative journey.
More than anything, I am grateful to the donors and to God because it is something so beautiful that they are doing – donating money to children who in the future will become good people thanks to this school.
– Cesarea, Risen Christ Parent
Thanks to you, our students aren’t alone.