June 2, 2010

Volunteer work reduces cost of school tuition

By Julie Filby

Through the nonprofit group Universal Education Supporters, families can raise money for Catholic school tuition by volunteering at Coors Field, Invesco Field at Mile High, Pepsi Center or Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

Anyone 16 or older can sign up to work at concession stands during ball games, concerts and other entertainment. The concessionaires then donate the money earned to UES—who in turn donates each volunteer’s share to the Catholic school of their choice.

“Our members sacrifice a lot of time to make sure their Catholic school can be successful in passing on the Catholic faith and identity to their children,” said Mary McKnabb, UES director, St. James parishioner and parent at St. James School. “Catholic education is very important to all of our members.”

UES members and All Souls parishioners, Terry and Janet Schilmoeller, have two daughters in Catholic school: Erin, a sophomore at Regis Jesuit High School; and Katie, a seventh-grader at All Souls School. They discovered UES in 2008 when Erin was applying to Regis Jesuit.

“There was an insert in the family packet that listed tuition assistance resources,” Janet said. “One of the categories was work-based scholarships through UES.”

The literature explained how the program helps families raise money for Catholic education, pays shares directly to the school, and was looking for workers to staff concession stands at major sporting venues.

“We thought it would be a great fit for us,” she said. “Our family follows sports at all levels and we both learned the value of hard work growing up on farms.”

In January 2009, they worked their first event at Pepsi Center.

“I loved it,” said Janet. “It’s demanding—you’re on your feet the entire time. But each venue gives training and support, and there’s satisfaction in knowing you worked hard to contribute to your child’s Catholic education.”

UES opportunities can be an answer to prayer by making Catholic education more affordable.

“When you ask for something in prayer, you don’t always get what you want—you get what you need,” Terry said. “Through prayerful consideration where to have Erin and Katie attend school, the Lord impressed upon my heart to ‘Trust me.’”

The Schilmoellers volunteer at events throughout the year: six to eight per month at Pepsi Center, three to four games at Coors Field during each home stand, and about half the games at Invesco.

“It’s nice that we can pick and choose venues and events,” Janet said.

UES provides five to 35 volunteers for each event. Last month the group committed to four additional concession stands at Coors Field, opening up more volunteer opportunities. On May 20 Father Felix Medina-Algaba, pastor of St. James Parish, blessed the stands calling them a “place to serve God and the people of God.”

“Through UES we meet and serve others,” said Terry. “We evangelize everyone we meet through our actions.”

The group members form a community of support and fellowship.

“We’re humbled and blessed to work with so many great people working so hard to provide the gift of Catholic education for their children,” said Janet. “As a group, we inspire each other.”

Most Catholic schools in the metro area have worked with UES in its estimated 20-year history. Current members have children in schools including Bishop Machebeuf High School, St. Vincent de Paul, Good Shepherd, St. James, Notre Dame, St. Pius X, Most Precious Blood, Blessed Sacrament, St. Catherine of Siena, Christ the King and Holy Trinity.

UES supports all Catholic schools from preschool through college—the program is not limited to Archdiocese of Denver schools. According to National Center for Education Statistics, the mean for Catholic elementary tuition for 2009-2010 was $3,383; and secondary tuition was $8,182. In the Denver Archdiocese, elementary school (kindergarten-eighth grade) tuition averaged $4,300; and high school tuition averaged $8,500.

UES is currently accepting new members. For more information, visit www.uesdenver.org or call 720-272-6528.

UNIVERSAL EDUCATION SUPPORTERS

For more information
Web: www.uesdenver.org
E-mail: www.uesdenver.org,
select Inquire
Call: 720-272-6528