FIRE Foundation event boosts inclusivity in schools

By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
 
Supporters of inclusivity in diocesan Catholic schools gathered Sept. 11 in Sioux City to raise funds for the FIRE Foundation of Northwest Iowa. The foundation hosted the fourth annual FIRE and Flights at Marto Brewing Company in Sioux City.

The foundation’s mission is to ensure that children with disabilities can attend a diocesan Catholic school alongside their siblings and friends. Since its inception, the organization has distributed over $161,000 to diocesan schools to assist them in providing services for all students.

“It all started at Heelan Hall at Briar Cliff University,” Dr. Ryan Allen, president of the foundation told the crowd. “We wanted to share our story.”

Allen explained they were first simply a group of parents who wanted a Catholic education for all their children – not just those without a disability.

“There wasn’t a blueprint for how this was going to work,” he said, noting they knew it would be a group effort. “Now I am so grateful, not just as a board member, but as a parent of a child with Down Syndrome.”

The president pointed out funds have been distributed to seven diocesan schools since the organization’s inception, funding staff, curriculum, training and equipment.

Dr. Ryan Allen addresses the supporters

“All the things we talked about are happening right here,” he said.

Gehlen Catholic School in Le Mars is one of the diocesan schools to receive funds from FIRE. Andrea Loutsch, preK-6 principal shared with the crowd that she came from a public school background prior to working for Gehlen. 

When approached to consider the administrator’s position at Gehlen, she asked diocesan Superintendent Patty Lansink about special education efforts in diocesan Catholic schools.

“Have you heard of FIRE?” Lansink asked her.

Loutsch has been pleased with both the support of FIRE and the Gehlen school board to facilitate inclusivity in the Catholic school.

“Our families finally can send all their kiddos to Gehlen Catholic,” she said.
Diocesan schools receiving FIRE Foundation grants include:

• Bishop Heelan High School in Sioux City
• Gehlen preK-6
• Gehlen 7-12
• Holy Cross School in Sioux City
• Kuemper School in Carroll
• St. Mary School in Storm Lake
• St. Rose of Lima in Denison

FIRE grants have served 393 students, professional development for 81 school professionals through eight major grants and eight minor grants.
For more information on the work of the FIRE Foundation of Northwest Iowa or to apply for a grant, visit firefoundationnwiowa.org.