NEW ORLEANS — On Dec. 20, New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson, announced a “transformational” gift to the Good Shepherd School, a private school in the 7th Ward. The gift will help the school launch a second location on Desire Street, which will be called the Gayle and Tom Benson Good Shepherd School – Giving Hope Campus.
Founded in 2001 by the late Fr. Harry Tompson, the Good Shepherd School provides an “extended day, year-round, faith-based education.”
“Education is the key that unlocks a world of possibilities,” said Benson. “In supporting the Good Shepherd School, my hope is to provide the children of New Orleans with not just an education, but a foundation for a future filled with promise and potential. Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and through a faith-based education, we can empower our young people for generations to achieve their goals. I believe in the work and mission of the Good Shepherd School and as they look to expand into another area of town (Desire-Florida) to further impact more children and families, I thought this was an important time to act.”
Good Shepherd boasts that 100% of its 239 graduates completed their high school education within four years. It said that more than 85% of grads are pursuing higher education.
“At a time when inner city Catholic schools are closing at an alarming rate throughout the country, Good Shepherd School is defying the odds and opening a second campus in the Desire-Florida community in conjunction with the Giving Hope Foundation,” said Thomas G. Moran Jr., president and CEO of Good Shepherd School. “This could not be done without the faith-filled generosity of Mrs. Benson, who serves as a shining example to others of what it truly means to be a partner in the Good Shepherd mission.”
