May 11, 2010 - Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy Received $2 Million Grants

Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy Receives Grants Totaling $2 Million From EMC And Liberty Mutual

Leadership corporate support for a new model of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Boston

Braintree, MA, May 11, 2010 – The Campaign for Catholic Schools and the Archdiocese of Boston announced today $1 million grants from both EMC Corporation and the Liberty Mutual Group to Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy.

EMC Corporation, the world leader in information infrastructure solutions, announced their gift would focus on improvements within the math and science curriculum of the Academy. In making the grant, Joseph M. Tucci, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EMC Corporation said, "We at EMC are passionate about expanding access to education, and especially about encouraging young students to cultivate an interest in science and math.  That's why we're proud to partner with Liberty Mutual to support the Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy, an elementary school that provides children from all faiths with an excellent, multi-dimensional education.  EMC focuses its support on enhancing math and science education. We believe a solid grounding in these subjects will serve children well throughout their lives and supply them with the analytical and problem-solving skills they will need to succeed in today's increasingly complex and technology-dependent world."

Liberty Mutual Group, a diversified global insurer and the fifth-largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. will support the strengthening of the middle school curriculum and the development of a Talented and Gifted Program. The expectation is that what is learned in developing this new program will be replicated in other schools in the Archdiocese.  In announcing the grant, Liberty Mutual Group Chairman, President and CEO Edmund F.(Ted) Kelly said, “Liberty is investing in a model of education that produces quality results for children of all backgrounds.  We believe our contribution will help the Campaign for Catholic Schools respond to the needs of a changing world; the campaign supports thoughtful consolidation, professional training and development, and fundamental capital improvements.  Only by investing in the future of the Catholic schools system—and this model school—will we ensure more children of all backgrounds will be able to access the exceptional education Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy and so many other Catholic schools offer.”

Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy is a multi-campus 1,300 student (Pre-K thru 8th grade) elementary school that opened in 2008.  It serves 26% of Catholic elementary school students in the Archdiocese of Boston’s central region.  Please visit the Academy’s website at www.popejp2catholicacademy.org to learn more.

Catholic elementary schools in Dorchester and Mattapan are being revitalized through an academy model (for system-wide reform), designed to enhance academics, faith formation and personal development. The new academy features regional governance, well-qualified leadership, upgraded curricula and offer professional development for all faculty members. Two of the campuses of the Pope John Paul II Academy have benefited from major renovations; fundraising is ongoing to continue that process at the other campuses.

Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley said, “We are very grateful to EMC Corporation and the Liberty Mutual Group for their support of the Pope John Paul II Academy. We are blessed to be able to offer the prospect of a bright future to the students and families we serve.  Because of the generosity of companies such as EMC and Liberty Mutual, we can move forward in achieving excellence in Catholic education.”

Jack Connors, Chair of the Campaign for Catholic Schools, said, “These two companies are world-class in every way.  The secret to their success is that they consistently exceed expectations in their respective industries and as corporate citizens.  Their willingness to commit to Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy will provide urban children with the opportunities they deserve to receive the best possible education.  These children are the true recipients of this support and are learning firsthand that anything is possible for them.  We are honored and grateful that EMC and Liberty Mutual have chosen to partner with us in this important way.”

“Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Boston graduate 99% of their students and 97% go on to post secondary education,” said Dr. Mary Grassa O’Neill, Secretary of Education/Superintendent of Catholic Schools. “The excellent values-based education they receive will allow them to become responsible employees and decision makers in the workforce.  Both EMC and Liberty Mutual are leaders in supporting many important educational initiatives that provide opportunities to those who need them most.  We thank both companies for making such a significant commitment at this time.”

Dorchester/Mattapan 2010 Fundraising Update

The cost to implement the plan is projected to be $70 million and will be paid for largely through private donations.  Established in late 2007, the Campaign for Catholic Schools (CCS) will raise the necessary funding for the project and is well underway with extensive outreach to individuals, organizations and philanthropic organizations interested in having a lasting positive impact on Catholic education in the Archdiocese.

In the two years since its organization, more than $47 million has been raised for Pope John Paul II Catholic Academy, including a $15 million grant from the Yawkey Foundation in 2008.  While much work remains, the Campaign for Catholic Schools is well on its way to achieving its goal.  More information on the campaign can be found at www.campaignforcatholicschools.org. 

About EMC: EMC Corporation (NYSE: EMC) is the world’s leading developer and provider of information infrastructure technology and solutions that enable organizations of all sizes to transform the way they compete and create value from their information. Information about EMC’s products and services can be found at www.EMC.com. 

About Liberty Mutual: Boston-based Liberty Mutual Group has more than 4,100 employees in Massachusetts located at 31 offices across the Commonwealth.  Liberty Mutual is a diversified global insurer and fifth largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. based on 2008 direct written premium.  The Company also ranks 71st on the Fortune 500 list of largest corporations in the U.S. based on 2009 revenue, and is the only Fortune 100 company headquartered in Boston.  Liberty Mutual Group ( www.libertymutualgroup.com ) employs over 45,000 people in more than 900 offices throughout the world. 

About the Campaign for Catholic Schools: The Campaign for Catholic Schools is a new nonprofit organization established in December 2007 by Jack Connors, Jr., Chairman Emeritus and a founding partner of Boston advertising agency Hill, Holliday, Connors Cosmopulos, Inc.  The Campaign was established as an outgrowth of the 2010 Initiative, a major strategic planning effort aimed at rebuilding and revitalizing the Catholic schools in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston (RCAB). CCS is a donor-advised fund of the RCAB under the direction of a board of trustees. CCS welcomes gifts of all sizes, which may be designated to particular school projects. The fundraising campaign of CCS has raised millions for two major school initiatives with another one on the horizon. In Brockton, $10 million has been raised for the new school, Trinity Catholic Academy.  For the Dorchester/Mattapan project, $48.5 million has been raised.  An additional campaign is underway in Gloucester for the renovation of St Ann School. The efforts of many are responsible for this successful initiative. For more information, please visit www.campaignforcatholicschools.org. 

About the Archdiocese of Boston: The Diocese of Boston was founded on April 8, 1808 and was elevated to Archdiocese in 1875. Currently serving the needs of nearly 2 million Catholics, the Archdiocese of Boston is an ethnically diverse and spiritually enriching faith community consisting of 291 parishes, across 144 communities, educating approximately 46,000 students in its Catholic schools and 156,000 in religious education classes each year, ministering to the needs of 200,000 individuals through its pastoral and social service outreach and in support of a health care ministry that meets the needs of some 1 million patients each year.   Mass is celebrated in nearly twenty different languages each week. For more information, please visit www.BostonCatholic.org.