Maria Rajakovich is 21 years old, getting ready to graduate and find her way in the world. But she’s more than your typical college student.
Maria, who has Down syndrome, has been educated through St. Anthony School Programs, which provides an inclusive Catholic education to children with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Thanks to sacrificial gifts to Our Campaign for The Church Alive!, 20 more families are benefiting from new, need-based scholarships. Academic studies and vocational training are offered at Catholic elementary and high schools, and at Duquesne University.
“St. Anthony’s is a wonderful program,” said Maria’s mother, Lisa Rajakovich. “The entire university embraces us. It’s so heartwarming.”
Erin McGrady and Cate Potter are among 20 Duquesne students who work closely with the St. Anthony kids as job coaches.
“We go with them to help clean hotels, make packets at the City-County Building, and work in dining halls on campus, among other jobs,” said McGrady, who is studying occupational therapy. “I love seeing them grow and learn every day.”
Potter, who is majoring in math and math education, helps St. Anthony students learn how to balance a checkbook, use an automated teller machine and take public transportation.
“My older brother went through the program and I’ve always volunteered with special-needs kids,” Potter said. “I want to get involved any way I can.”
Mark Sieg, executive director of St. Anthony School Programs, said Duquesne University opened up space so they could add a second state-of-the-art classroom.
“We want to develop the entire student and make them as independent as possible,” Sieg said.
Today, more than 120 St. Anthony students are enrolled in classroom sites at Mary of Nazareth regional school, St. Thomas More, St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Mary of the Assumption parish schools, Bishop Canevin and Serra Catholic high schools, and Duquesne University.
Beth Sieg, with St. Anthony’s for 33 years, now teaches at the university site.
“We work on reading and math as well as social skills,” Beth said. “I taught four of my current students previously and it’s rewarding to see how much they’ve grown and matured as young adults.”
Maria’s mom is grateful that the university students make the extra effort to include her.
“One of them learned that Maria loves musical theater, so she helped involve her in the spring play,” Rajakovich said. “Since first grade we’ve had high expectations for Maria’s education, and it’s been exceeded in so many ways.”
“Our Campaign for The Church Alive! helped us to raise our sights and serve more students in need,” said Jerry Gaughan, executive director of the St. Anthony Charitable Foundation. “We hope to open an additional high school classroom in another region of the diocese, and grow our endowed scholarship fund to support even more families.”
“It’s great having young adults who are friends and peers to our students,” said Lisa Hendrickson, high school and post-secondary supervisor for St. Anthony School Programs. “They support our Catholic mission to include everyone and to look at the students’ abilities, not just their disabilities.”
