Full of Faith: Meet the Garcia Family

Sacrifice, faith, and the Aim Higher Foundation make the dream of a Catholic education a reality for one family

Faith goes well beyond Sunday services for the Garcia family. Deacon Ramon Garcia serves the Church through his position in Latino Ministry and as a permanent deacon, and his wife, Suzanne, is a teacher at Our Lady of Peace in southern Minneapolis.

The couple has always been committed to the Catholic faith, but when it came time to send their three children to a school that aligned with their beliefs, they knew it would take some sacrifices.

“We got plugged into Catholic schools through Our Lady of Peace, and I love the whole ambiance and atmosphere of Catholic schools,” says Suzanne. “I love the fact that we can all pray together and it’s okay to do so.” Both Suzanne and Deacon Ramon also appreciate that the school environment is streamlined to coincide with their beliefs. “Everything that they’re learning at school complements and reflects and emphasizes what we’re learning at home as a family,” says Suzanne.

Despite the substantial draw of a Catholic education, the Garcia family also knew that Catholic schools would be a financial burden on their humble existence. They live off of the salaries of a Catholic teacher and minister. “I think most families would agree that you make very special and purposeful sacrifices to send your kids to a Catholic school, and I don’t think we could do it without the help,” says Suzanne. “It’s not impossible, you just have to be ready to make the sacrifice and do the work to make the dream come true.”

The pair was introduced to the Aim Higher Foundation, and Suzanne jumped at the chance to employ more support. “I was so excited to find out that there was money available,” she shares. “It’s so wonderful to just know that there’s that weight off your shoulders.”

All three of the Garcia children utilized scholarships from Aim Higher, and the family settled in to the communities at both Our Lady of Peace and Annunciation, where the children attended later in their academic journey. “We are so grateful for the support,” says Deacon Ramon. “Aim Higher has been generous to us year after year.”

The Garcias recognize that it’s the support of donors who support Aim Higher that help make their story a success. “I know that donors feel blessed, and they want to pass that blessing on to others,” says Suzanne. “We would just like to thank the donors, from the bottom of our hearts, for sharing their blessing and their wonderful situations with us. They help us to have a wonderful situation, as well. It’s a blessing all the way around.”

—Emily Sefton on behalf of the Aim Higher Foundation