DePartnerships, as the name implies, are relationships where two parties share resources and responsibilities.  Each benefits.

To be specific, our organizational partners sponsor the costs of at least five of our learners at Holy Cross School.  In 2023, the cost per learner is $3,000 so partners contribute at least $15,000.  We will happily make a visit at our own expense to present on the potential of a Partnership.

We believe partnerships are valuable because they offer the greatest opportunity for building relationships in a sustainable, pro-poor way.  We imagine that each month will present opportunities for individuals to interact in person or virtually. We imagine the school dedicating the month to learning about our partner and our partner likewise learning about the school and its students and families. We’re exploring virtual classes meeting together, some teaching of basic isiXhosa to Americans and perhaps Spanish to South Africans, visits by volunteers, and any opportunity for interactions and communications that yield relationship. 

Partners are invited to work with us by:

• Participation in the Partnership Council, which meets semi-annually to discuss opportunities and new ideas and to offer counsel.

• Access to resources for both personal and organizational strengthening through mission. 

• Opportunities to participate in sustainable, pro-poor projects, which includes long-term and short-term volunteer opportunities and opportunities to “come and see” what our programs our doing.  A STEM camp and Reading Camp have already become part of Holy Cross School through such opportunities.

• Opportunities to host overseas partners at home.

• Educational materials to help partners learn about a new culture.

• Assistance to create a local culture of generosity, justice, and social responsibility.

• Resources to reach out to new constituencies.  Both young adults and educators are on the drawing board now.

Resources for Partners Under Development Provided at No Cost:

• The Way of the Cross:  An Invitation to Compassion—A seven-part formation series of discussion modules for congregational use.  Each session will consist of video modules featuring voices from South Africa and around the world, along with written resources for scriptural formation and discussion around the theme of compassion as a Gospel invitation.

• Reconciliation and Resurrection:  Holy Cross School and the Making of Modern South Africa—A seven-part formation series exploring the colonial history of South Africa, the struggle against apartheid, and the birth of a new history of reconciliation amid challenge and opportunity.  Participants will explore the transformational power of partnership with those at Holy Cross School who are helping build this new history.

• Compassion for Children—A seven-part series to instill the value of compassion in our children, including the topics of otherness and fear, the Summary of the Law, and the Golden Rule. We plan to have fun and introduce American children to the Xhosa culture and language. 

• The Women of Advent—A four-part series highlighting the importance of women and the beginning of the Christian story and they way they made being pro-poor a foundational value.

• Invitation to a Pro-Poor Life—We will work with you to create strategies to invite non-members who may or may not be interested in Christian faith to discover the deeply spiritual opportunity of a pro-poor life.

• Educational materials to help partners learn about a new culture.

• Assistance to create a local culture of generosity, justice, and social responsibility.

• Resources to reach out to new constituencies.  Both young adults and educators are on the drawing board now. scription text goes here

This is a way to encourage deepening commitment, and the rewards thereof, on an individual basis by starting small and receiving increasing benefits.  Individuals are encouraged to give at whatever level, but we encourage the standard of $25 per month or $300 per year as something most of us can do but that encourages a basic level of on-going interest. 

SHARE holders will hear from us regularly with opportunities to learn more about what they’re accomplishing,  but more importantly, to build the sort of relationships that are deep and hold the potential to transform us all.  We envision introducing families to each other through print publications and virtual meetings.  What if, for example, families in one part of the world provide recipes to those in another and then join virtually to share the meal and get to know each other.  What an opportunity for children!

In addition, we will invite SHARE holders to join in virtual meetings to hear presentations on important topics of interest, especially regarding Christian faith and pro-poor opportunities.

We know, of course, that $15,000 is not a small amount of money, but we also believe that the more invested people are, the greater the prospect for transformation. We also believe that what appears to be a significant challenge at first presents an opportunity for inspiration and revival when achieved. 

We have found that large goals become achievable when broken into smaller pieces that are more easily digested. What if each class of a school took on the challenge of funding one student for a year, which costs $3,000?  Five classes each working toward such a relational goal gets to $15,000. What if three smaller parishes opt in for $5,000 each to be a full partner together? What if parish groups—choir, altar guild, youth group—took on part of the challenge and made new friends in the process?  What if young adults were encouraged to make small but still significant investments through the SHARE Plan by contributing $300 per year each?   We’re not trying to add something to a church or group budget.  We’re trying to get people involved so they benefit from the relationship. 

We have commitments to sponsor 45 of our 106 students.  We are seeking 11 more partnerships to cover the others.  Conversations to that end are taking place in several places with several sorts of groups. 

What seems undoable at first turns out not to be.  And isn’t that transformative in and of itself?