SFIC hosts Christmas Breakfast

This year, the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC) hosted its Annual Board of Trustee’s Christmas Breakfast at Saint Peter’s School in Belleville. Over 100 donors, families, scholarship recipients, archdiocesan employees, and religious attended the celebration held in early December. 

Each year, the SFIC invites donors to a local school to enjoy breakfast with Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. After breakfast was served, “It is difficult to explain, my dear brothers and sisters, what an impact you are making on the lives of these children,” Father Ivan Sciberras, the Pastor at Saint Peter Catholic School, said about the impact SFIC has had on the school community. “Many of them would never have been able to attend Saint Peter’s were it not for the help that is offered by your generosity. We really are very, very grateful.” 

Annette Soto, an 8th-grade student at Saint Peter School and a recipient of an SFIC scholarship, said she has been attending Saint Peter School for the past six years. Her younger brother also attends Saint Peter’s. 

“I am so happy to share this day with you,” Annette Soto said. “I am so very thankful for all the donors who donate to the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children and help students like myself attend Catholic school.” 

Annette’s father, Jose Soto, said his daughter experienced bullying before transferring to Saint Peter School. He struggled with a lack of support from school staff and teachers when his daughter was enrolled in public school. Everything changed when the Soto family decided to apply for a scholarship and enroll in Saint Peter School. 

 “I was hesitant to ask for help… I spoke with Father Ivan, and he suggested I give Saint Peter’s Catholic School a chance,” Soto said. “I told Father Ivan that I truly could not afford to send my daughter to Saint Peter’s, and that is where the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children came to help. Thanks to God and the generosity of the donors.” 

After breakfast, several SFIC students had the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with Cardinal Tobin. The Cardinal answered questions about his education, what he does for fun, and the significance behind the vestments he wears. 

Attendees were also treated to a bilingual performance by the Saint Peter School Choir. After the breakfast and festivities ended, a group of students led donors on a tour of the school to visit classrooms and see the students in action. 

The SFIC offers 33 individual Scholarship Programs, as well as a General Scholarship Fund that provides partial tuition assistance to hundreds of Catholic school students annually within the Archdiocese of Newark. According to SFIC CEO Michelle Hartman, 2022 was a record-breaking year for the SFIC with over 1,800 scholarships disseminated. 

“This is the largest number of scholarships we have ever given out, and we are hoping to break that record next year,” Hartmann said. “Our applications for the 2023-2024 school year open on Feb. 1 on our website. Our goal is to disperse 2,000 partial tuition scholarships for the upcoming year.” 

The SFIC will be hosting a special event at the Archdiocesan Center on March 1, 2023, from 4 -8 p.m. to help students and families fill out scholarship applications. 

The SFIC offers scholarships to students in grades K-12 from low-income families who are currently or planning to enroll in a private, parochial school located in the Archdiocese of Newark within Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. Eligibility is based on the total family household income. For more information, as well as a breakdown of financial requirements established by SFIC, visit the SFIC website.  
 

Four students from Saint Joseph School ask Cardinal Tobin questions about his education, hobbies, and the significance of the vestments he wears. 


Cardinal Tobin speaks at the SFIC Annual Board of Trustee’s Christmas Breakfast at Saint Peter School on Dec. 9. 


Cardinal Tobin answers student questions at the SFIC Annual Board of Trustee’s Christmas Breakfast at Saint Peter School on Dec. 9.


The Saint Peter School Choir performed two bilingual songs for the guests at the C SFIC Annual Board of Trustee’s Christmas Breakfast on Dec. 9. 


SFIC Scholarship recipient Annette Soto, 8th-grade, speaks about the impact the SFIC has had on her life and education. 


Jose Soto, whose two children are SFIC scholarship recipients at Saint Peter School, expresses his gratitude for the opportunities the SFIC has provided for his children.  


Cardinal Tobin pictured with the Soto Family. The Soto Children are beneficiaries of an SFIC scholarship. 
 

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Featured image: Over 100 people gathered at Saint Peter School in Belleville for the SFIC Annual Board of Trustee’s Christmas Breakfast.