In the middle of the summer, Allstate Agent Julio Galindo from Tucson, Arizona, trekked to campus to help kick off the elementary school STEM Makerspace volunteer day.
The day began by assembling tables, stools and shelving for the room. The new classroom space will be run by ’16 Stephan Joe, STEM teacher, to serve students in grades kindergarten to fifth grade in a hands-on learning environment based on Science Technology Engineering and Math concepts.
The day was part of a nominated grant initiative sponsored by Allstate Foundation. Julio’s agency nominated the school and the project for the grant. $10,000 was earned for the school through the project to purchase the room renovation, equipment and supplies.
Raising his own sons in Catholic faith, his family toured Drexel University a few years ago and was reintroduced to Saint Katharine Drexel. Returning home, he had this lingering connection to do something related to Saint Katharine Drexel. The partnership between Julio and the school began when he felt a calling to give back to a school. As he began researching schools in Arizona, and immediately felt a pull toward the school founded by Saint Katharine.
“I always told my sons, youth development to create fully articulate human beings-in all areas- spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, academically, etc. is very important. Helping a young person become the full breadth of themselves is what I see that St. Michael does. I like that they consider the future for these students in terms of a choosing a career or a vocation,” Julio said when referring to his impression of the school.
Impressed by the Native American leadership and teaching staff, and the ability of the school to prepare students for college, Julio has plans to continue to serve the school in future volunteer opportunities.
In a phone conversation a few weeks after he visited Julio said, “Being able to serve the school that Saint Katharine Drexel built was a great experience for me. I plan to visit again and hope to watch a soccer or basketball game.”