Why I'm grateful for Porto Charities...

Advent | 2025

Dear Friend:

As the year draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the great strides we’ve made in building a culture of true belonging for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Diocese of Arlington — progress made possible only by your generosity.

In 2025, Porto Charities awarded more than $250,000 in grants to Catholic schools and provided financial support for teacher scholarships, graduate-level special education coursework, and job opportunities for young adults with disabilities. This critical support ensures that students and young people with intellectual disabilities can:

Learn to their full potential in Catholic schools;
Grow deeply in their Catholic faith; and
Be known, loved, and valued in their schools, parishes, workplaces, and communities.

I know this firsthand because I am a direct beneficiary of Porto Charities’ work.

My daughter Maggie was born with multiple physical and intellectual disabilities. As those of you who have experienced it know, the beauty and suffering of having a child with disabilities are deeply intertwined. On the one hand, Maggie is a testament to the dignity of all human life, made in the image of God. She has changed our family for the better in such profound ways. But the challenges are also profound. There is sometimes loneliness and isolation in raising children with disabilities. We stand a bit outside the world, with different milestones — and often more tempered dreams for our children.

One of my dreams was for Maggie to attend Catholic school. It was hard to send our five other children to Catholic school each day, knowing that Maggie might not ever be able to receive the same education we were committed to for the rest of our family. We prayed that Maggie might one day attend our parish school. That prayer was answered when the Basilica of Saint Mary School started its Mater Dei special education services and accepted Maggie as one of its first students. Maggie dressed in her plaid jumper each day, joined the class in morning prayer, and marched in the school’s All Saints Day parade. She was prepared for and made her first Confession and Holy Communion with her class. She participated in Mass each Friday morning and enjoyed all the things that are so special about being part of a Catholic school community. It was a joy for our family. It was also a significant challenge for the school.

This is where Porto Charities has a real, life-changing impact in the Diocese of Arlington.

Porto Charities helped our parish school, and helps Catholic schools throughout the Diocese, meet the challenge of educating students with disabilities. Porto provides grants to hire special education teachers and para-educators; supports professional development opportunities for teachers and school leaders; provides fellowship opportunities for families touched by disability; and helps young people with disabilities find meaningful work through our PortoWorks program.

As you finalize your year-end charitable giving, would you consider a one-time or recurring monthly tax-deductible gift to Porto Charities?

A one-time gift of $1,000 will provide a Catholic school teacher with scientifically based literacy training in methods effective with students with intellectual disabilities.
A one-time gift of $750 will help a job seeker engage in the customized employment process used by PortoWorks to develop jobs that highlight the skills and interests of the disabled job seeker as well as meet the unmet needs of employers.
A one-time gift of $500 allows a teacher to enroll in a graduate special education course at George Mason University.
A one-time gift of $150 will provide an hour of instructional coaching for a teacher of students with intellectual disabilities.

Creating a culture of true belonging requires constant, ongoing effort, and I would be grateful if you considered becoming a steadfast partner to Porto Charities with a recurring monthly gift.

Your monthly commitment of $25, $50, or $100 supports year-round Catholic education and employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Diocese of Arlington and ensures that all of God’s children experience true belonging.

To participate in monthly giving or make a one-time donation, please visit our website at www.portocharities.org/donate. You can also mail your contribution or scan the QR code in the envelope provided. To be counted for the 2025 tax year, gifts must be postmarked or made online by December 31, 2025.

Thank you so much for your generosity! Please keep the work of Porto Charities in your prayers. All of us wish you a blessed Christmas and the very best to you and yours in 2026.

With my sincere gratitude,

Kathryn Doherty

Chief Operating Officer

P.S. If your family has been touched by disability, please reach out and get to know Porto Charities! We are a collection of mothers and fathers, siblings, friends and educators who are accompanying one another on this journey—and we would be honored to walk with you.

Make a Gift Today

Win two books signed by the Keynote presenters at the 2026 Conference on Disability

Five lucky winners will win both books signed by the authors!

Sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees who register before December 31 will be automatically included in the raffle.

Early Bird tickets are now available!

Have you been impacted or inspired by the work of Porto Charities in 2025?

We want to hear from you!

Did your school receive a grant? Have you enjoyed our social events? Were you inspired by working with an employee with disabilities? Has your family experienced a sense of belonging because of the work we are doing?

Please send us an email to media@portocharities.org to let us know how Porto Charities has supported you or your loved ones!

Website

Events

Make a Gift