Hand in Hand Challenge

To increase awareness and make it easier for new students to access Catholic education in and around Dallas, The HALO Initiative introduced the HALO 139 pilot in 2021 to work 'hand in hand' with our wonderful tuition assistance programs. HALO 139 invests in new students and families with the aim of adding to the Catholic school's revenue stream for years to come.

Read more about HALO 139 here.

Now in our second year, we are eager to finish funding HALO 139, which offered discounts for the first two years for new families. To show their belief in the value of Catholic education, the Chris & Joe Popolo family started a challenge:

For every $50,000 we raise by December 31, 2022, the family will provide an additional $25,000 – up to $100,000 - to HALO 139! That means that whatever amount you can give will make a meaningful difference in the future strength of Catholic education in Dallas.

UPDATE: January 1, 2023

As we welcome a brand new year, we do so with great
joy and sincere appreciation for all those who helped
us reach our goal in our Hand-in-Hand Challenge!

Your contributions totalling $200,000, partnered with
the $100,000 in matching funds from the Popolos,
have boosted our HALO 139 pilot funding tremendously.

Every single dollar will make a meaningful difference in the future strength of Catholic education in Dallas.

So far, our five pilot schools have been provided more than $753,000 from HALO and its donors and well over $500,000 in tuition payments from new families who joined their new Catholic school community in the Fall of 2020. That means in addition to the overall vibrancy in day-to-day learning and activities that continually build the future of these children, these pilot schools have a renewed operational strength and a promise of added revenue for years to come. HALO has about $225,000 more to finish out the commitment to invest $922,000 by June 30, 2023.

HALO 139 has accomplished our goal to bring brand new families to try Catholic education and our Principals are reporting that most of these families plan to stay as they transition into paying full tuition starting in Fall 2023. We look forward to completing the HALO 139 pilot so that we can share all we have learned and move on to provide a fresh approach on a new challenge, being sure to manage it in a way that complements all the good things we have going for our Catholic school community in the Dallas area.

We are grateful for your ongoing support for Catholic education!