Christian Brothers Conference held its quarterly meeting in Homestead, Florida, on September 23, giving staff an opportunity to visit La Salle Educational Center, a Lasallian Catholic ministry dedicated to education, faith, inclusion, and service in Southern Florida.
The Center’s mission is to develop the unique abilities and potential of each child through an enriched educational program rooted in the tradition of the De La Salle Brothers. Its Christ-centered approach nurtures students’ natural curiosity and capacity for learning, with an emphasis on holistic education, spiritual growth, critical thinking, integrity, and social outreach.
Inclusion and accessibility
Inclusion and accessibility are central commitments, with particular attention to creating opportunities for those most in need. Many of the Center’s students are the children of migrants working in South Florida’s agricultural industry, families whose circumstances can present real barriers to educational opportunity.
“Lasallian education has always meant meeting young people and families where they are,” said Michael Scaramuzzo, who serves as President. “Our families work hard and are forgotten, and they entrust us with what matters most to them. Welcoming the Christian Brothers Conference staff gave us the chance to show how that trust turns into faith, community, and opportunity for every child.”
The call to “go out to the peripheries”
The Center is the District of Eastern North America’s (DENA) response to the call to “go out to the peripheries,” as outlined in its District Chapter in 2023. In Homestead, that call takes shape through relationships, education, and the accompaniment of young people and families, expanding opportunity for children who are otherwise left behind.
For those who took part in the visit, La Salle Educational Center was a visible reminder that the Lasallian mission is not simply a tradition to preserve but a living commitment, continually adapted to the needs of particular communities.
Plans are underway to better serve the community through expansion, including the addition of a high school. To learn more about the La Salle Educational Center, visit lasallehomestead.org. For more information, contact School President Michael Scaramuzzo at mscaramuzzo@lasallehomestead.org.