Sisters Academy Spring Luncheon Celebrates Student Success and Expands Support for Girls’ Education

“ASBURY PARK, NJ — A moving testimonial from a Sisters Academy alumna highlighted the transformative power of education during Mercy Center (https://mercycenternj.org/)’s Spring Luncheon on June 5, as supporters gathered at Spring Lake Golf Club to raise funds for the faith-based, tuition-free middle school for girls in grades four through eight.https://sistersacademynj.org (https://sistersacademynj.org/)

Brenda Cabrera Vicens, a 2011 graduate of Sisters Academy and now a practicing physician assistant in vascular surgery at Hackensack Meridian Health, told attendees how the school provided hope during a time of bullying and language struggles in her early education. “Sisters Academy gave me a place to learn and grow. It became more than a school, it became a lifeline,” said Vicens, whose parents immigrated to the U.S. in search of a better life.

Held beneath a sprawling open-air tent, the luncheon featured student performances, live and silent auctions, and a raffle, all supporting vital needs such as tuition, meals, uniforms, supplies, and student enrichment trips—including a planned visit to Radio City Music Hall.

“This day was a celebration of what’s possible when we believe in girls and invest in their futures,” said Kim Guadagno, Executive Director of Mercy Center and former Lt. Governor of New Jersey. “Together, we’re providing a pathway out of poverty—one girl, one family at a time.”

The event also honored longtime supporters Dr. John M. Tozzi and Mary Jane Tozzi with the Spirit of Mercy Award for over two decades of financial support through the Alexandra Rose Tozzi Memorial Foundation. The couple’s impact includes scholarships and the creation of the Alexandra Rose Tozzi Science Center. Dr. Tozzi also mentored Vicens during her training as a PA.

The Community Partner Award was presented to Friends of the Spring Lake 5, whose charitable contributions, surpassing $3 million, have helped fund scholarships and environmental education programs at the school.

Sisters Academy, which recently expanded to include a fourth grade, has seen a 40 percent rise in enrollment. The school maintains a 100 percent high school graduation rate, with 92 percent of graduates going on to earn college degrees. The $17,000 annual cost to educate each student is entirely supported by donors and community contributions.

In addition to the school, Mercy Center operates one of the region’s busiest food pantries—serving more than 109,000 people in 2024—and offers free, multilingual social services to families across greater Asbury Park.

For more information about Sisters Academy and the Mercy Center’s services, visit www.MercyCenterNJ.org (http://www.mercycenternj.org/)”

2018-2025: Where we have been lending a helping hand.

• Every year the foundation contributes $70,000 for tuition at Sisters Academy of New Jersey.

• The Center for Discovery A nationally known provider of comprehensive healthcare services for 1,200 children and adults with complex conditions, medical frailties, and autism spectrum disorders.

• Blanca’s House - an organization of volunteers that brings free medical services and healthcare education to communities in Latin America.

• Mommas  House which supports young mothers aged 18 to 24 years and their babies by giving them a place to live and guidance/direction to live independently.

• Jodi House Jodi Wustman was a thriving 19- year-old college student when she suffered a devastating brain injury after being hit by a drunk driver.

  Finding no programs to support her after hospitalization, Jodi sank deeper into isolation for lack of contact with peers and mentally stimulating activities, a commonly occurring problem for brain injury survivors.

  In 1982, Jodi’s parents got together with relatives of other adults suffering from brain injuries and began mobilizing resources to create a supportive and stimulating place for their loved ones. By 1994 Jodi House had a permanent location in Santa Barbara.

• Center for Coastal Studies a non-profit organization dedicated to understanding, preserving and protecting marine ecosystems and the coastal environment through applied research, education and public policy initiatives.

• Slide Ranch a nonprofit organization which is a 134 acre sustainable ranch located on the Marin coast of California. The mission of Slide Ranch is to connect children to nature in an effort to foster future generations of environmental stewards. Seventy percent of the children attending the Slide Ranch camp come from low-income, disadvantaged communities.

• ALS - Contributions to the daily care of individuals suffering from ALS.

Ecuador Mission 2017

From October 7, 2017 to October 15, 2017, Dr. John Tozzi and his crew of volunteers embarked on a medical mission to perform 25-30 knee replacement surgeries in Loja, Ecuador. Zan’s foundation funded a significant portion of this mission, which is providing unparalleled medical and surgical care for people who would otherwise have limited or no access to a doctor.

Slide Ranch 2016

In December, 2016, Zan’s foundation contributed to Slide Ranch, a nonprofit organization which is a 134 acre sustainable ranch located on the Marin coast of California. The mission of Slide Ranch is to connect children to nature in an effort to foster future generations of environmental stewards. Seventy percent of the children attending the Slide Ranch camp come from low-income, disadvantaged communities. ‘The Alexandra Rose Tozzi Garden’ is a farm-to-table teaching garden dedicated to Zan’s memory.

Center for Coastal Studies 2016

In December 2016, Zan’s foundation also contributed to the Center for Coastal Studies. CCS, located in Provincetown, Massachusetts, is a nonprofit organization devoted to understanding and protecting our coastal environment and marine ecosystems. In February, 2017, Jacqueline Tozzi was given a tour of the facility. While there, she met with the board of directors, ecologists, and the marine animal entanglement response team. Since 1984, the CCS has freed more than 200 large whales and other marine animals from life-threatening entanglements. This emergency response program has been directly affected by the foundation’s recent contribution.

March 2012: Foundation Donates to Villanova University’s Office of Disability Services

For those of you who don’t know him, Frankie Kineavy, 20, of Sea Girt NJ ran an annual charity basketball tournament as a high school student, made the Dean’s List at Villanova University, where he manages the men’s basketball team, and was the subject of a student-produced documentary.  He has accomplished all of this despite being born with cerebral palsy.

We share a special relationship with Frankie.  For the last several years of the Frankie Kineavy Invitational Basketball Tournament, he generously donated all of the proceeds to our foundation.  We admire his ability to overcome obstacles and we are inspired by his ever-present optimism and playful sense of humor.  In honor of Frankie, the foundation has made a $10,000 donation to the Office of Disability Services at Villanova University.

The purpose of the Office of Disability Services is to ensure that, by eliminating physical and educational barriers, qualified students with disabilities will have equal access to the educational opportunities at Villanova.  

Our funds will help all students with disabilities to receive support services and accommodations that will allow them to participate freely and actively in all facets of university life.