SSND supporters enjoy golf and cards event

During the program at the 12th Annual School Sisters of Notre Dame Golf Tournament and Card Party on June 28, several sisters read testimonials from students of the featured ministry, the Good Counsel Learning Center in Mankato, Minnesota. The learning center provides one-to-one tutoring sessions for children, youth and adults in reading, language arts and math. Many adult men and women who are English Language Learners also attend. It is staffed primarily by retired and semi-retired sisters.

Here is what the students said:

“I am Abdi. I have attended the Learning Center for four years, a total of 285 hours. When I came to the Learning Center, I knew very little English. Now people ask me if I attended college because I speak so well. I tell them ‘No. I went to the Sisters’ school.’ ”

“I am Zainab. I have attended the Learning Center for four years. This school works better for me because it is a short time, just one hour. I can work it around my family and work times. I understand better because the teacher explains first and then gives me homework. I have the best teacher, Sister Mary Donald.”

“I am Bob. Today I am a successful business man. I came to the Learning Center one summer as an angry 5th grader. Sister Alonza saved my life! She helped me uncover the keys to successful reading and gave me the confidence I needed to graduate at the top of my class. I continued to visit her in Health Care and attended her funeral.”

“I am Lisa. My husband, Doug, and I say thank you, Sister Pauline, for your dedication to teaching children – especially our Brad. You have been so patient and kind and given him much help. Sister Joann, thank you for running such a wonderful Learning Center. Sister Helen, your cheerful disposition always made me feel happy when we visited in the halls. Sister Lucille, thank you for testing Brad’s eyes. He will be going to the vision center in Bloomington next Tuesday. No word can truly express our thanks and appreciation. You have such a safe, healing, and joyous environment.”

To learn more about the Good Counsel Learning Center, which opened in 1967 in response to a call to help reverse declining reading scores, visit the center’s website. For photos from the Golf Tournament and Card Party, visit Facebook.

Photos by Mike Lagerquist