Graduate Support Program

    Many who are interested in St. Andrew Nativity School ask what happens to our students after they leave the security and intimacy of this school’s community.  Our charism is to “break the cycle of poverty through education.”  

    At St. Andrew Nativity School we would like to think, but do not necessarily expect, that a quick three years with us during the middle of a student’s education will make the difference for the rest of an individual’s life.  We do however agree that there must be some follow-through: help and support to continue the process of fortifying a student’s drive for education, knowledge and expertise necessary as they define and make decisions for their own lives and futures.

    The St. Andrew Nativity “Graduate Support Program” was created with that in mind.  The program helps to remove barriers that stand in the way of a young adult’s ability to work for an education, making sure the high school students’ basic needs are met so that they can take responsibility for themselves.  

    Aggie Shwayder leads this effort as the program’s director.  She juggles the many situations that come her way with dexterous skill and caring tact.  Aggie sees to it that, once the students leave St. Andrew Nativity, they have many of life’s changing needs met.  She provides physical, financial, academic, emotional, and spiritual assistance.

    It is interesting to note that identifying what to do for a student and how to help in his or her situation can only happen once a relationship of trust and honesty is formed.  The personal touch Aggie provides plays a large part in the Graduate Support Program.  Her approach is always positive with a sense of humor.  She  kindly reaches out to the souls of the young, makes them know their value, and give them the courage and desire to love themselves.  

    Breaking the cycle of poverty is a wonderful goal, but it is never a simple one.  It requires attention to the whole person, and to that person’s interactions with the world around them.