Empowering Children with Hope and Opportunity - ECHO

08/06/2026

Saddle up for a great year!

Today the ECHO team kicked off another school year with our annual back-to-school meeting. We spent the day reconnecting, learning, laughing, and preparing for the important work ahead as we get ready to serve the students, families, and schools who trust us each year.

A special thank you to Amy Van Verth from Care House for sharing about the incredible work their team does and for reminding us how to appropriately respond when a child discloses abuse while providing compassionate, trauma-informed support.

We left feeling refreshed, prepared, and excited for another year of walking alongside students, families, and our partner schools. Here’s to a great 2026-2027 school year! Childrens Carehouse

07/23/2026

Evidence that the CCE family cannot be left unsupervised…

Family isn’t always the people you’re related to. Sometimes it’s the people you work hard with, laugh with every day, and support through it all.

While Rhonda Mercs was enjoying a well-deserved vacation, the rest of the CCE family decided it was the perfect time to document our “professionalism” with an unofficial family photo shoot. We think the results speak for themselves.

Welcome back, Rhonda! We missed you.

Lalanne at the University of Dayton
UD Center for Catholic Education

07/09/2026

We’re hiring!

ECHO has an opening for a Family Advocate/Social Work position at the University of Dayton. This is a bachelor’s-level social work role with the many great benefits UD offers.

The position will only be open for 13 days, so please share with anyone who may be a great fit for our team!

Reach out if you have any questions.

Apply here:

Apply now Job No: 503712 Work Type: Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater) Location: Dayton, OH Category: University Staff Department: ECHO - 210312 Pay Grade: A - Exempt Advertised: July 09, 2026 Applications close: July 23, 2026

07/06/2026

Leo, the son of our Assistant Director, Terese, is spending the summer interning at Chaminade Julienne High School. Look what he’s been up to!

06/29/2026

Join us for the Catholic School Leadership Summit: Together Toward Excellence!

The Center for Catholic Education and the Department of Educational Administration invite Catholic school leaders and educators to the Catholic School Leadership Summit: Together Toward Excellence on August 6-7 at the University of Dayton.

Come connect with fellow leaders, gain practical insights, and be inspired as we work together to strengthen your school and Catholic education.

We hope to see you there!

05/15/2026

Last night at Mother Brunner Catholic School was filled with creativity, connection, and community! Families enjoyed the “Passport to Art” student art show, school open house, and an informational session presented by Catapult for parents and families.

ECHO was grateful to help coordinate and serve dinner for families, with food generously provided by House of Bread. It was wonderful seeing students proudly sharing their artwork, families connecting with school staff and community partners, and everyone coming together for such a positive evening.

Thank you to all who helped make the event such a success! Mother Brunner Catholic School House of Bread Catapult

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day from ECHO.

Today, we celebrate all who mother, nurture, guide, comfort, and care for others. Your love and compassion reflect the gentle strength of Mary and remind us how powerful a caring heart can be.

May you feel celebrated today and surrounded by the love you so freely give.

05/08/2026

What a wonderful day celebrating our Peacemakers at our end-of-year Peacemaker Picnic on Tuesday!

These students have worked hard all year demonstrating citizenship, leadership, and service in their schools and communities, and we were so grateful for the opportunity to celebrate all they have accomplished.

A huge thank-you to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge in Huber Heights, Captain John C. Post Lodge No. 44, for allowing us to host the picnic at their beautiful space and for their wonderful hospitality. The Peacemakers had a full day of fun with board games, kickball, soccer, co****le, lacrosse, fishing, and archery.

Our ECHO staff loved serving lunch to the students, and the Cane’s chicken strips were definitely a big hit!

We are also so grateful to our partner schools for welcoming the Peacemaker Program into their buildings and for letting us “borrow” these amazing students for the day. It was such a joy to celebrate their hard work, service, and all the ways they have made a difference this year.

05/06/2026

On May 1, 2026, the Immaculate Conception Peacemakers hosted their 4th
Annual Falcon Funwalk and Carnival, a fundraiser supporting the Cayden
Josephine Turner Memorial Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded
to Immaculate Conception 8th-grade students continuing on to high
school at CJ.

In previous years, the event has raised enough funds to provide
multiple scholarships of $1,000 or more—and this year proved no
exception. Although inclement weather disrupted the original plans,
organizers quickly adapted by moving the carnival indoors. Classroom
teachers were given flexibility in deciding whether to proceed with
the walking portion of the event.

Thanks to the Peacemakers’ efforts, approximately 30 gift baskets were
secured, giving students the opportunity to redeem tickets they had
earned leading up to the event.

Cayden’s mother was also in attendance once again, sharing her
gratitude and appreciation with the students for continuing to honor
and preserve her daughter’s memory.

05/04/2026

The Peacemakers at Chaminade Julienne Middle School are spreading kindness for Teacher Appreciation Week!

They are decorating flowers with kind words and surprising teachers with encouraging notes throughout the week. Parents are also joining in by donating treats to help celebrate the amazing CJ Middle School teachers.

We love seeing our Peacemakers lead with gratitude, kindness, and joy!