The Problem & The Solution

The Problem:

• There are an estimated 10,000 individuals discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life in the US annually
• 42% are blocked from pursuing this call due to education loans*
• The average vocational ‘aspirant’ in Labouré owes $60,000 in education loans
• Most religious communities cannot assume this debt
• Most dioceses will allow some debt but have a limited threshold for acceptance

*(NRVC, Vision Study, 2010)

The Solution: The Labouré Society

• Works with each aspirant to ensure all personal means are utilized to mitigate the loan amount (loan consolidation, asset review, financial counseling, employment, etc.) prior to acceptance into the program
• Trains each aspirant in biblically-based philanthropy
• Forms multiple classes of aspirants annually
• Mentors each aspirant to build a unified team; each individual works toward the collective goal
• Provides ongoing accountability to ensure proper preparation and completion of personal fundraising plans
• Equips each aspirant with an online fundraising platform for real-time donation processing, reporting,
  assessment of goals and class interaction, marketing and communications
• Facilitates ongoing communication and updates between aspirants and donors after formation entrance
• Manages aspirant award payments while they are in formation
• Completes award payout after 3 years active formation

Our Aspirants

• Discern a vocation and are accepted into a diocese or religious community
• Are blocked from entering or continuing vocational formation due to student loans
• Apply to Labouré and meet intake requirements
• Are trained in ethical fundraising – empowered with practical tools, personal mentoring, and accountability
• Share their vocation stories and participate in building a culture of vocations and evangelization
• Raise funds for Labouré to benefit many vocations
• Are awarded monthly payments toward their education loans
• Receive final award payout after three years and enter freely into a lifetime of service as a priest, sister, or brother