JANUARY 2022 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 25
TOMORROW’S HOPE FOUNDATION
EMPOWERING YOUNG SCHOLARS
BY BRIANA BONFIGLIO
Across Long Island, thousands of
children attend Catholic elementary
schools, an education that comes with
a price for families. For those who want
to enroll their kids in Catholic school
but cannot aff ord the cost, Tomorrow’s
Hope Foundation is there to help.
According to the organization’s website,
since 2005, the nonprofi t has provided
more than $25 million in tuition assistance
for more than 20,000 underserved
students to attend Long Island’s
35 Catholic elementary schools. In 2021
alone, the foundation dispersed a total
of $2.45 million to 1,200 students.
“The needs of these applicants increase
each year as the cost of living on Long
Island continues to rise,” says Ismini
Scouras, executive director of Tomorrow’s
Hope Foundation. “As this number
increases, so does the struggle for
the foundation to keep children safe
and educated.”
The foundation’s goal is to reach the
capacity to fund a higher portion or
full cost of tuition for all students who
apply for assistance. Its fundraising
eff orts consist of several annual events,
including a 5K, golf outing, gala, and
Christmas party, as well as grants.
Tomorrow’s Hope will soon launch a
planned giving program for donors to
add the foundation to their estate plans,
which will “help ensure the long-term
sustainability of Long Island Catholic
elementary schools,” Scouras says.
“We provide an opportunity for these
children – it puts them on a path to
success both personally and professionally,”
she adds. “Especially today
with all the uncertainty in the world,
being able to be educated with values
of the Roman Catholic Church really
gives our kids the moral compass they
need to move through life.”
In addition to providing tuition assistance,
Tomorrow’s Hope has donated
learning materials to underserved
Catholic school students in need. In
2020, the foundation gave out 2,000
technology devices to students.
Families seeking financial aid for
Catholic elementary school for their
children can apply at tomorrowshopefoundation.
org. The application process
opens on Jan. 20 for the 2022-2023
school year.
CHARITY SPOTLIGHT
Students from St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope Regional School, Westbury
NONPROFIT FUNDRAISERS ‘DO THIS’ FOR A CAUSE
BY SHEYLA TORRES
BLACK TIE HOODIE
The EJ Autism Awareness Foundation
will hold its “Black Tie Hoodie” event
again this January. The event will have
music and raffl es to fund and create
programs to help people on Long Island
who are diagnosed with autism.
The event will be held at Captain Bill’s
Restaurant, 122 Ocean Ave., Bay Shore.
EJautismfoundation.org. $55. 6–10 p.m.
Jan. 7.
WILL SING FOR FOOD
Will Sing For Food is a charity concert to
raise money for Long Island Cares, Inc./
The Harry Chapin Food Bank, which
combats hunger and food insecurity
on Long Island. Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert
Hall, 3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh.
WillSingForFood.org $25. 5:30-8 p.m.
Jan. 9.
A FUNDRAISING EVENT
BENEFITING THE CAZALE
COMMUNITY AND
CULTURAL CENTER
The Rising to the Challenge fundraiser
is a cocktail event to raise funds for
The Cazale Community and Cultural
Center. The nonprofi t organization
aims to improve the lives of youth
in Haiti. This event will be held at
Leonard’s Palazzo, 555 Northern Blvd.,
Great Neck. cazalecommunityandculturalcenter.
org . $95-$1,250. 9 p.m. -2
a.m. Jan. 21.
POST-HOLIDAY YOGA
COMMUNITY BENEFIT
Relax and enjoy a yoga class, sound
bath, wine, and more. All donations
go to Spirit’s Promise Equine Rescue,
which rescues and rehabilitates horses
who have been abused or neglected, or
are unwanted. The event will be held
at Spirit’s Promise, 2746 Sound Ave.,
Riverhead. The event will also include
a yoga mat drive and food drive. Ilastrate.
yoga $30. 2-6 p.m. Jan. 22.
DANCE PARTY ON THE HILL
FUNDRAISER
The James Pinka Foundation will hold
its second annual Dance Party on the
Hill, to honor James Pinka, a Long Island
youth who battled with substance
abuse. The fundraiser supports Beading
Hearts, the Neighborhood House
of Long Island, and New Hope Rising,
which helps residents with rehabilitation
and counseling. Held at Long
Island Community Hospital, 1 Ski Run
Ln., Farmingville. $35. 2-6 p.m. Jan. 29.
A yoga class will raise funds for rescued horses this month. (Getty Images)
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