South Boston-based Julie's Family Learning Program has been selected as a Massachusetts 2005 Catalogue for Philanthropy charity. This year's edition of the Catalogue profiles 72 of Massachusetts' outstanding environmental, cultural, and human service agencies as "examples of excellence" in Massachusetts philanthropy. Julie's Family Learning Program was chosen from a total applicant pool of over 250 organizations and we were the only charity chosen in all of South Boston.

     In 19th-century France, St. Julie Billiart founded the Order of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, to help impoverished women and children. In 1974, sisters of that Order created a Montessori preschool for children in South Boston's D Street Housing Project. In 1980, it was joined with an adult learning program for single mothers, focusing on helping these families holistically - with counseling, child care, transportation, food, tutoring, education, job training, etc. - to become healthy, successful and economically self-sufficient. Results are impressive: last year, all children who completed the preschool tested in the highest (90th) percentile on standard readiness tests; preschool graduates completing first grade were all above-grade in math and reading; 80% of adult learners who enter the program without a high school diploma attain their GED, and many remain in it through college-level or job-training programs. Julie's and its staff have been cited for excellence, and partnerships with other organizations keep the budget lean, so donations go far. This is not a highly publicized charity but it is doing a great job, and your donation is guaranteed to make a difference.

      The Catalogue, which was the first of its kind anywhere, was created by a group of leading foundations here in 1997 to help close the gap between Massachusetts' ranks in income and in charitable giving - then the largest such disparity in the nation. To do this, in addition to the annual Catalogue itself, the project developed the nationally-known "Generosity Index"(tm), a website (www.catalogueforphilanthropy.org), "Giving Massachusetts Day", proclaimed since 2001 as the day after Thanksgiving by Governors Swift and Romney, and many other "donor-friendly" tools. Since 1997, charitable giving here has doubled, from $2 billion to $4 billion, and though the Catalogue makes no claim for this growth, the Catalogue Project is widely recognized as a national leader in donor education. There are now similar Catalogues in Washington, D.C., and St. Louis, Mo.; others are planned in several other philanthropic markets.  According to George McCully, President of the Catalogue, "The Catalogue is designed as a showcase for Massachusetts philanthropy, and a one-stop shop for a family's charitable giving. A single check, electronic transaction over the web or stock transfer can be allocated to as many charities as the donor pleases, and because the Catalogue is sponsored and paid-for by its philanthropic sponsors, 100% of every donation goes to the designated charities."

      Julie's Family Learning Program was chosen in rigorous competition by professional grantmakers, private donors, fundraisers and executive directors of charities. "Charities are selected for general excellence, cost-effectiveness, and teaching value about philanthropy," McCully said. To contact Julie's Family Learning Program, you can call 617-269-6663 or stop by to see the program firsthand at 133 Dorchester Street, South Boston, MA 02127.