Dear Friends,

Our recent Advocacy Awards Gala was more than just a successful event; it was the embodiment of our mission in its purest form. When we speak about our three pillars—Catholic education, meaningful employment, and community engagement—it is clear that the gala provided a perfect snapshot of how these areas intersect to transform the lives of the individuals we serve.

We saw the Education pillar in action through Wanda Anderson and our student peer mentors: Jordan Smith Jr., Luke Sparrow, Anna LeNard, Jadeyn Winmill, and Rylie Hurst. Employment was celebrated through Saint Timothy Catholic School, self-advocate Erin Thompson, and the many teens and young adults with disabilities who volunteered that evening. Community Engagement was best exemplified by the record-breaking 475 members of our community—from clergy and educators to advocates and families—who joined us in embracing our cause. To tie it all together, our Catalyst Awardee, Susan Rinaldi, perfectly personified all three pillars through her life’s work.

From the camaraderie felt during cocktail hour to the joy on the dance floor, the evening showcased a vibrant Diocese where every person, regardless of ability, is seen, valued, and loved. We especially want to thank Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and Bishop Emeritus Paul Loverde for joining us again this year, as well as our honorary chairs, Carlos and Elsa Velez, and our gala co-chairs, Stew McHie and Ellie Winn. Stew’s dedication is highlighted below in our Board Member Spotlight.

Our generous Porto Charities family raised more than $400,000 at the Gala to support people with disabilities in the Diocese of Arlington. I invite you to visit our 2026 Gala Page to see what happened at the event. You may make a gift or fulfill a Gala pledge here. Most importantly, please fill out this short survey to help us improve our next gala, set for April 23, 2027!

Thank you for being the foundation of our mission and allowing our community to experience the beauty of belonging.