Author: Caroline Smith
The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation Announces Endowment with Holy Cross College to Support the Moreau College Prison Initiative.
The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation is proud to announce an endowment partnership with Holy Cross College through a gift of $1,000,000 in support of the Moreau College Prison Initiative. The Moreau College Prison Initiative’s commitment to providing educational opportunities to incarcerated individuals in Indiana is changing lives and creating meaningful pathways to transformative and personal growth. Over four years, the College will seek partners to match this gift, with the establishment of a $2,000,000 endowment for Holy Cross’s Moreau College.
The Moreau College at Westville Correctional Facility is already a leader in best academic practices and this endowment marks a significant commitment to the educational programs at Holy Cross College and reflects the Foundation’s dedication to fostering positive change within the community. Moreau College reflects the mission of Holy Cross College to form Scholars, Citizens, Leaders and Disciples for the Church and world, in service of the common good. Moreover, Moreau College is a proud partner with the University of Notre Dame’s Programs for Education in Prison, which among other goals seeks to expand, deepen, and evaluate the transformative impacts of prison education efforts, provide career development and other re-entry support for students.
Following an impactful visit to the Westville Correctional Facility, representatives from the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation were deeply moved by the exceptional caliber of the Moreau College Prison Initiative. Witnessing the dedicated community, unwavering commitment of the students, the caliber of classes and the passion of the professors, the Foundation recognized the profound impact being made within the program.
In alignment with the Foundation’s mission, this endowment seeks to uphold the core values of compassion, empathy, and social responsibility. It embodies the Foundation’s commitment to enacting the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy, which include feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, caring for the captives, sheltering the homeless, visiting the sick, and assisting the mourning. Through this endowment, the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation aims to empower the Moreau College Prison Initiative to continue their impactful work, furthering their mission of providing hope, education, and support to those within the correctional facility.
Holy Cross College President, Dr. Marco Clark, expressed that “this transformational gift from the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation aligns with the Holy Cross Strategic Plan priority to further enhance Moreau College’s stature as a national leader of college-in-prison programs.”
In expressing their dedication to this partnership, Karen Pulte, Director of the Scholarship Program at the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, remarked, “We are honored to support the Moreau College Prison Initiative and Holy Cross College in their commitment to transforming lives through education and empowerment. This endowment represents a meaningful step towards fostering positive change and providing essential opportunities for personal growth and development within the corrections community.”
For media inquiries or further information about the endowment and the Moreau College Prison Initiative, please contact Kate Fasullo at 561-544-0955 or kate@pultefamilyfoundation.org
The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation:
The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation is committed to creating meaningful and lasting change within communities. By partnering with organizations and initiatives that embody compassion, social responsibility, and a commitment to positive transformation, the Foundation aims to make a tangible impact and foster a brighter future for all.
Holy Cross College:
Founded by the Brothers of Holy Cross in 1966, Holy Cross College is a distinctly Catholic, residential liberal arts college based in the tri-campus of Notre Dame, Indiana. Students prepare for meaningful careers while earning traditional bachelor’s degrees, accelerated three-year degrees, associate of arts degrees, as well as programs which are a collaboration with the University of Notre Dame, such as the Gateway Program and the Moreau College Initiative at Westville Correctional Facility.
Bill’s North Star – His God
“The first thing in life has got to be your God. Second is your family. And, if we do things right here, your Pulte family’s the third.”
Bill Pulte (2006)
Bill was a man nurtured by the love of God and whose goal was always to do the same for others….always. His core set of values didn’t leave room for second-guessing. His values of humility, honesty, integrity, and trust were uncompromising.
Bill was a daily communicant in the Catholic Church for nearly sixty years and went even when he was out of town. His eyes only saw the best in people, his heart forgave the worst, and his mind would forget the bad. And, when asked to speak about his faith, he would talk about the power of prayer. His soul was one that never lost faith in God. Bill would say that the prayers he prayed for weren’t always answered the way he wanted them to be, but looking back, he realized they were answered in a better way.
“From the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”(Luke 12:48). This scripture verse was one of Bill’s guiding stars.
One time, when his adult children were interviewed, one of his daughters commented, “Dad’s life lesson 501 is we shouldn’t be so worried about what we can get out of something but be more worried about what we can give.” Another of Bill’s children said, “I think there’s a common thread from our dad. Dad is not a perfect man and has made mistakes, but there are common threads from the time we were small: Don’t worry who gets the credit, don’t sweat the small stuff, be fair, be a person of integrity, don’t lie, and give to others.”
When we think of people the world admires, whatever our spiritual or political inclinations, the commonality is that each has a sense of purpose. Their lives are dedicated to an ideal related to their own humanity and a more complete world. Bill Pulte was such a person. His legacy is undeniable. His beacon of light, bestowed upon him by God’s bountiful grace, will always shine for others to follow.
IDDEAL PLACE UPDATE!
FINAL APPROVAL OF THE IDDEAL PLACE TO BRING INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY FOR ADULTS WITH MILD TO MODERATE INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Pulte Family Charitable Foundation to Lead Multi-Faceted Project in Palm Beach County, Florida
February 27, 2024
For Bonnie Schmidt and Denise Anderson, the unanimous approval last week of The IDDeal Place by the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners represents the realization of a dream that will benefit adults with intellectual and developmental (I/DD) disabilities.
Schmidt and Anderson both have adult daughters with special needs. They co-founded the IDDeal Foundation to provide people with I/DD a life of independence, confidence, and a sense of purpose, by catering to their unique needs. The IDDeal Foundation teamed with The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation (PFCF), based in Boca Raton, Florida, to bring The IDDeal Place to life.
The approval will allow for the construction of an independent living community (with support) in Palm Beach County, Florida, for up to 24 adults who have been diagnosed with mild to moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“We are deeply grateful to The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation and celebrate this approval,” said Schmidt and Anderson. “The impact of the support from the Foundation extends far beyond the construction of physical spaces. It offers the promise of independence, belonging, and a life filled with dignity and inclusion for our daughters and these young men and women.
“We are profoundly appreciative of the Foundation’s dedication to this cause and look forward to continuing our partnership with the Foundation as we work towards the opening of this important project.”
The 3.27-acre IDDeal Place campus will consist of three buildings:
- A main building with six 3-bedroom suites and shared community spaces for meals, leisure, and program activities.
- A second building with three 2-bedroom suites that will accommodate more independent residents and student interns.
- A single-family home for the campus director.
The PFCF, which is not affiliated with any other organization that uses the Pulte name, is the initial donor for the development of The IDDeal Place. The Foundation has committed $3 million to the project, which will be only the eighth private I/DD community in Florida. The IDDeal Place also will be the first private I/DD community of this type in Palm Beach County, which has the third most I/DD adults in Florida.
“The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation is honored to come alongside the IDDeal Foundation and the IDD Community Foundation to help make the dream of The IDDeal Place a reality,” said Andrew VanValin, Senior Manager of Acquisitions, Development, and Special Projects for The Pulte Family Charitable Foundation. “Our mission aligns perfectly with the IDDeal Foundation’s vision for a home where their members can live and thrive in a community designed for people with IDD.
“Living at The IDDeal Place will help these young men and women achieve levels of independence and belonging that many of them have seldom enjoyed. We will continue to support the IDDeal Foundation and IDD Community Foundation as they move toward construction.”
Commissioner Marci Woodward, who represents District 4 on the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, added: “Affordable, accessible housing is a critical need for all members of our community, and especially for those with disabilities. The IDDeal Place will not only provide much-needed homes but also create a sense of belonging and inclusion for individuals with IDD. I am proud to have supported this project and believe it will serve as a model for other communities across the county.”
The PFCF will engage public and private businesses and organizations, as well as private foundations and individual donors, to secure the funds needed to complete the entire IDDeal Place project.
It is anticipated that ground will be broken for the project in the fourth quarter of 2024, with completion expected in the first quarter of 2026.
For more information about The IDDeal Place, please contact Jeff Bookstein, Vice President of Development for the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, at 561-544-0955, or jeff@pultefamilyfoundation.org.