The Catholic Academy of Bridgeport will hold its “Guiding Lights” Annual Fall Gala at Woodway Country Club on October 29, honoring longtime supporters Jim Colica and his late wife Kathy Hanson.
“We are so grateful to Jim and Kathy, who have been beacons of hope and guiding lights for our academy, for allowing us to honor them,” said Angela Pohlen, CAB executive director. “In addition to their great generosity, Jim and Kathy have demonstrated a deep devotion and personal interest in our students, including the more than 30 CAB Rising Stars students they have sponsored throughout the years.”
Colica and his late wife Kathy Hanson have supported the Catholic Academy of Bridgeport for almost 20 years. In addition to their scholarship support, their vision led to the creation of two after-school programs, the Alegre Program for the Performing Arts and Faith & Futures.
Colica, a graduate of Fordham University and Army veteran, spent 27 years at GE Capital as a senior officer. A member of St. Mary Parish in Greenwich, he has three children, six grandchildren, and a great grandson.
The evening will include a cocktail hour, dinner, auction and a program about the honorees. The event is one of two major fundraisers the school will hold this academic year, with proceeds going toward the over $3.3 million in need-based scholarships that have to be raised annually.
“As 85 percent of CAB families live at or below the poverty level and 96 percent of our students receive need-based assistance, the success of the Annual Fall Gala is critical for us to continue to provide an outstanding education with ‘Something More’ for our 880 PreK through 8th graders in the city of Bridgeport,” said Susan Cecere, director of development.
“We are able to educate each of our students for less than half of what public and charter schools spend. We also raise all of our funding privately to underwrite the majority of our students’ tuition,” said John Kreitler CAB board chair. “We are ‘the little engine that could,’ ensuring that our students achieve their immense potential and that they have a strong, faith-based foundation to live a successful life of leadership and service.”
He said 100 percent of CAB alumni graduate from high school and 99 percent go on to college or a postsecondary school.
To register for the gala, go to https://CAB2026Gala.givesmart.com, email [email protected] or call (203) 378-2310.
