Robert Healey of Lumberton, N.J., whose efforts have helped insure the future of the Catholic school network in the Diocese of Camden and elsewhere, will receive the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) in October.
Seton Award is NCEA’s highest honor, given in recognition of significant contributions to Catholic education.
Robert Healey, a lawyer and CEO who has founded and led successful companies and business ventures, has brought his entrepreneurial spirit to a range of philanthropic endeavors over 25 years. A lifelong commitment to his Catholic faith has inspired Healey to devote considerable time and resources toward achieving growth in Catholic schools.
The Healey Education Foundation (HEF) provides seed grants and consulting services through a staff of experts focused on helping schools help themselves. Established by Healey under another name in 1998, the foundation began its signature initiative, the Catholic School Development Program (CSDP), in 2004. Since then, nearly 60 elementary and high schools have worked with the foundation to deliver better enrollment, stronger fundraising, and more effective governance.
Since 2008, the Diocese of Camden has raised an additional $3.2 million through the implementation of annual funds.
HEF co-founded a successful new model of urban Catholic education, the Catholic Partnership Schools, in Camden.
In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, five elementary schools in year one with CSDP turned a 5 percent enrollment decline into a 5.5 percent increase to generate more than $460,000 in additional revenue. In the Diocese of Allentown, CSDP elementary schools are projecting 5.3 percent growth, and the number of schools implementing the CSDP methodology has tripled from 6 to 18 for 2013-14.
Healey’s interest in education and reversing the impact of poverty has extended to schools built in Ladrillera, Mexico, and to orphanages and medical facilities in Sierra Leone via $9 million in assistance raised and provided through the Archdiocese of Freetown and the Diocese of Bo.
The award is named in honor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821), the first native-born American saint.
Brother Robert Bimonte, NCEA president, said, “The Seton Awards program recognizes great leaders who are supporting Catholic education in many ways. At the same time, it’s an excellent opportunity to encourage others to follow in the footsteps of these individuals who are helping to strengthen Catholic schools for the next generation.”
Four others also will receive the Seton Award and Karen Ristau, NCEA president from 2005-13, will receive the President’s Award.
– Brendan (B.J.) and Bebe Cassin, Los Altos Hills, Calif., founder of the Cassin Educational Foundation, which established Catholic college preparatory middle and high schools in economically-challenged communities throughout the country.
– Archbishop Wilton Gregory, Archbishop of Atlanta, Ga., who wrote that Catholic schools are at the “heart of the church” and urged that they be kept available to all parents and guardians who desire a Catholic education for their children.
– Michael Patterson, Bainbridge Island, Wash., who has supported Catholic education at all levels.
– Ronald Wolf, Sewickley, Penn., trustee of the Maronda Foundation that has supported students attending seven World Youth Days, provided financial support to Catholic schools and scholarships for students and established Youthtowne and the Gilmary Retreat Center.
This year’s 23rd annual Seton Awards ceremony will be held Oct. 7 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. For reservations or additional information about the Seton Awards, contact Amy Durkin, 571-257-0013.
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