Although she retired in June, Tracey plans to continue supporting Catholic education through the Fund A Dream scholarship program, which connects donors with deserving students in Catholic schools throughout the diocese. This innovative program provides students with a $2,500 tuition assistance scholarship and helps forge a relationship with their sponsor. Conceived by Lorraine Dodero, another passionate champion of Catholic schools, and launched in 2019, FAD has generated more than $3 million and assisted more than 1,000 students from 73 schools.

Tracey has been a FAD sponsor since the program’s inception, as have her other family members. Most recently, during the 2025-2026 school year, she and her husband Ray supported a student from SS. Peter and Paul School in Doylestown. They have also supported students from Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Cuyahoga Falls and Mater Dei Academy in Wickliffe. An attractive feature of the program is that donors can request to sponsor a student from any school in the diocese.

Lorraine credits Tracey with helping to raise awareness of the program, especially among school principals throughout the diocese.

“She has so much institutional knowledge,” Lorraine said, noting that while she was associate superintendent, Tracey often visited schools throughout the diocese and saw the program’s impact firsthand. “Tracey has been instrumental to the success of FAD, providing the leadership, insight, and steadfast commitment to help ensure the program continues to grow and serve families with a deep commitment to ensuring that all children have access to a Catholic education,” Lorraine added.

Tracey applauded Lorraine’s vision for FAD, explaining that with Diocesan Tuition Assistance scholarships, another program that helps families afford a Catholic education, donors are not aware of which student is benefitting from their donation. On the other hand, “FAD establishes a connection between a sponsor, the school and the student,” she said, adding, “It also teaches students to show appreciation by writing thank-you notes to their donors.”

“My parents (Lou and Joan Perry) cherish the cards and letters they get from the students they sponsor,” Tracey said. Schools also invite sponsors to attend a school Mass and special programs to help strengthen the relationship. Donors can also sponsor a student for multiple years and accompany them along their Catholic School journey.

The diocesan school system, with about 40,000 students, is the sixth largest in the country.

“Anything we can do to take away some of the financial burden for families helps,” Tracey said, adding, “FAD helps put a Catholic education within reach for more families.”

“I am excited to continue with FAD,” Tracey said. She will remain active by serving on the FAD Executive Leadership Team, which Lorraine said is good news for continuing the success of the program.

“When I reflect on the growth of Fund A Dream over the past six years, it truly comes down to leadership. Our ELT is an intimate group of community leaders who care deeply about this mission of the Church and the future of the families it serves. Alongside Bishop Edward Malesic, and with the incredible support of our sponsors, this group has played a vital role in expanding both our reach and our impact,” Lorraine said. “I have seen firsthand how their commitment, guidance and generosity have helped ensure that more families have the resources to choose a Catholic education for their children. It is because of this leadership that we continue to grow, to reach more students and to open doors that truly change lives.”

Lorraine added, “With Tracey’s help, we are well-positioned to continue our momentum.”