Dear Friend of Nativity,

Having been a spiritual leader in the Los Angeles area for more than 60 years, I have encountered many worthy organizations in my time, all of which have pressing needs. Like many of us, my desire to help exceeds my ability, so I’ve had to make a conscious choice to support the causes that I felt were making the most difference in people’s lives. One of those causes has been to provide yearly tuition assistance to students at Nativity School.

For more than a dozen years, I have participated in the Sponsor-A-Student program at Nativity and it has been such a joy. I’ve been proud to watch the students I’ve supported grow into caring, committed scholars at Nativity, ready to face the challenges of high school, college and beyond. Scholars like Brenda, now in college to become a nurse, who says that she tried harder to get better grades because someone else besides her parents believed in her, or Irving, a quiet, hardworking boy who just graduated 8th grade with plans to eventually go to college — these kids have the confidence and knowledge to challenge themselves to aim higher because of their education at Nativity. However, like most of the students at the school, both Brenda and Irving came from meager circumstances; if it wasn’t for the Sponsor-A-Student program, the opportunities they now enjoy would not have been possible.

As Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” For the children of Nativity’s South Los Angeles community, the high performing, character-building education they receive is the opportunity to change their world. For 90 years, Nativity has provided thousands of children like Brenda and Irving not only an education, but the caring, discipline and character development they need to grow into responsible, goal-oriented adults.

There are many more children at Nativity like Brenda and Irving who just want a safe place to learn and grow, and we wouldn’t be able to serve them and make an impact on their lives without generous supporters like you.

Won’t you help a deserving child receive a good education and have a brighter future?

• $2,500 would completely sponsor one child in need of financial assistance for the 2014–15 school year.

• A sponsorship of $1,000 would help lower the monthly tuition cost for a child. Parents pay the remaining portion.

• Other donation amounts — $500, $250, $100 or less — are accumulated to create a general fund to help sponsor our many other students in need.

I hope you will join me and consider making the gift of opportunity — in any amount — to Nativity School to give a child an educational solution out of poverty. An envelope is provided for your convenience, or you can donate via our website at www.nativityla.org/support-us. Thank you for your consideration, prayers and support.

Yours in Christ,

Bishop Joe Sartoris

Member, Nativity School Board of Directors