CHICAGO (October 18, 2003)

Families of students attending Our Lady of the Westside
School in Chicago’s Lawndale community gathered today to receive a special gift of learning from patrons of the school. Each of approximately 130 families received a refurbished computer for its school families for use in their homes. The computers were donated by the Big
Shoulders Fund, a non-profit organization that provides resources to economically needy schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago; Charles Shaw, the school’s Big Shoulder’s Fund patron; and Computers For Schools, an organization that refurbishes computers and distributes them to schools.

In order to participate in this initiative, parents and students were required to complete a 90- minute introductory computer training course. The computers were presented today to families at the Homan Square Community Center, 3517 W. Arthington, Chicago. Each family received two boxes: one with the hard drive unit, the other with the monitor, keyboard and mouse. The 260 large boxes were stacked in the community center’s lobby.

“It’s an absolute blessing,” said Bettye Sherrod, whose four foster children attend Our Lady of the Westside School. “This wonderful gift not only will allow the children to do book reports and other school assignments on their own computer, it gives them an opportunity during their free time to access the same types of educational programs and games they use at school.”

Sherrod said the computer is a welcome addition to their home, and will be shared among seven children in the family. “This will really help all of us,” said Sherrod. “Now I know the kids will be equipped for the future.”

“We are so very grateful to Charles Shaw, Willie Cade and the Big Shoulders Fund for making it possible for our school families to own a personal home computer,” said Barbara Westrick, principal. “There is a real need for our students to have access to a computer at home to enhance their education at Our Lady of the Westside. It gives students assistance with homework and opens the doors of communication with teachers.”

“The computers that are being donated today are one example of how the Big Shoulders Fund Patron Program is helping to enhance the learning environment for students and their families in ways that will have a positive impact on their lives for years to come,” said Shaw.

“I am pleased to be a part of this wonderful project. Today we mark the beginning of an important new initiative for Our Lady of the Westside school, its students, their families and indeed, for the Lawndale community and Chicago,” said Cade. “I look forward to the success of this project for all the families involved.”

Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools
The Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago play a critical role in the life of the community by providing academic excellence and faith formation for approximately 117,000 students of many races, faiths and backgrounds in the 283 elementary and secondary schools in Cook and Lake counties. There are more than 6,400 teachers in the Catholic school system who instill values, teach discipline and achieve strong, consistent academic results in the Archdiocese of Chicago's 242 elementary and 41 secondary schools. Visit the Archdiocese of Chicago Web site at www.archchicago.org/schools