December 31 | 2025

• Investing in schools: In 2025, we awarded $250,000 in grants to 17 schools and the Office of Catholic Schools. Porto Charities also launched a Professional Learning Community (PLC) to support schools in their educational journey as they strive to serve students with disabilities. Currently, six schools are participating in the PLC.

• Investing in educators: Our first scholarship recipient, Martha Benitez, completed her Master's in Special Education from Marymount University, and is currently working at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School. This year, five more educators applied for scholarships to complete graduate-level work in special education to serve students with disabilities in our Catholic schools. Additionally, another 18 educators enrolled in the Porto Charities-sponsored Introduction to Special Education graduate-level course at George Mason University, which enhances their understanding and ability to support students with diverse learning needs. 

• Investing in faith formation: We awarded a $7,000 grant to Special Religious Development (SPRED) to provide materials that students with disabilities need to learn our Catholic faith and access the sacraments.



Please indicate "Education Program" in the memo.

• Facilitating meaningful jobs: We successfully facilitated employment and internship opportunities for three individuals in 2025, at Bishop Ireton High School and St. Timothy School. Our PortoWorks program continues to provide meaningful opportunities for skill development, independence, and fulfilling lives for 27 young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Diocese of Arlington.

• Securing a dedicated job coach: Porto Charities hired an intern who is a Master of Social Work student at George Mason University. We are proud to offer a dedicated job coach, funded by Porto Charities, to support young adults with disabilities in their job searches.

Please indicate "Employment Program" in the memo.

• Celebrating Together: Our Christmas Party brought so much joy to 160 members of our community. We also hosted a Valentine's celebration, a fun-tastic bowling social, a Saint-themed trunk-or-treat, and our annual Mass for people with disabilities, creating opportunities for fun, friendship, and community building.

• Fostering Fellowship: We launched a monthly parent coffee to share experiences, knowledge, and support among parents from throughout the Diocese of Arlington.

• Recognizing Advocates: We honored Bishop Emeritus Paul Loverde, introduced the Laura Lee Self-Advocate Award, and celebrated other outstanding schools and individuals at our 3rd annual Advocacy Awards.

• Empowering families: Our annual conference brought together a record-breaking number of community stakeholders to advance understanding of the needs and gifts of individuals with disabilities, and provided families with tools to facilitate the life transitions of their loved ones with disabilities. We also released a 3-part webinar series on Applied Behavior Analysis and Catholicism, along with four pre-recorded conversations on faith and disability, bringing our total video resources to 44.

• Raising Awareness: Porto Charities presented at the National Catholic Educational Association conference in Orlando, participated in the National Convening at St. Louis University, and at the National Catholic Partnership on Disability's Pilgrims of Hope Conference in Salt Lake City. We have also delivered presentations at diocesan schools and made numerous connections at vendor fairs.

Please indicate "Engagement Program" in the memo.

We are so grateful to the 60 parishes in the Diocese of Arlington that joined our efforts this year by holding the Special Kids/Special Needs fundraiser, which helped us raise a record-breaking amount, significantly increasing the funds for our school grants in 2026.

We also extend our gratitude to all our sponsors for ensuring the success of our Be a Hero Golf Tournament and Embrace Gala, which support our programs.

But we especially want to thank YOU, from the bottom of our hearts, for allowing us to do so much this year. We are inspired and encouraged to do even more in the coming year. If you are inclined to make one last donation in 2025, or enroll in monthly giving, your gift will help us start the year strong and:

• Expand our scholarships and funding for educators
• Increase grant funding to schools supporting students with moderate to significant educational needs.
• Strengthen our PortoWorks initiative to meet the growing demand for job opportunities for adults with disabilities.
• Launch innovative initiatives to raise awareness and bring the community together as we continue to build a culture of belonging in the Diocese of Arlington.

Thank you for your partnership and support this year. May you have a blessed 2026,

Porto Charities

To be counted for the 2025 tax year, gifts must be postmarked or made online by December 31, 2025.

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