NORTHEAST OHIO POVERTY SUMMIT
Originally designed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the US Bishops Pastoral (Economic Justice for All, 1986), this event gathered almost 1000 students from 21 of the 22 Catholic High Schools in the Diocese were present (Hoban, NDCL, St. Joseph Academy, Regina, St. Ignatius, St. Edward, Padua Franciscan, Walsh Jesuit, Our Lady of the Elms, Trinity, Holy Name, Lake Catholic, St. Martin de Porres, Elyria Catholic, Cleveland Central Catholic, Beaumont, Benedictine, VASJ, Magnificat, Gilmour, St. Peter Chanel).
Bishop Richard Lennon presided at Mass at St. Patrick Church (Bridge Ave, Cleveland). At St. Ignatius High School, Bishop Anthony Pilla (whose dream it was to have a Youth Poverty Summit) addressed students in a Keynote speech, and students participated in an organizational volunteer fair with 25 local non-profit groups, and break-out sessions with 45 different knowledgeable speakers (advocates, representatives, and clients of social service agencies) on the issues of: Homelessness, Education, and Worker's Rights.
