This story first appeared in Fulcrum Foundation’s 2024 Community Report.
Like all parents, Mario and Erika Gutierrez dreamed of a successful life and a bright future for their four children. The couple had met and married at St. Anthony in Renton and fell in love with the community. Mario worked long hours for an irrigation company and Erika supplemented their income as a Spanish language tutor. Despite their hard work, the family struggled to cover basic living expenses, let alone the costs of education.
Their faith and determination carried them through, and they never once lost hope that God would provide. When Anasofia (now 24) was approaching kindergarten, Mario and Erika wanted to ensure she had the best possible start. They knew their parish school was renowned for its strong academic program and nurturing environment. However, the tuition was beyond their reach.
Undeterred, Erika reached out to the school’s principal and learned about the (then new) Fulcrum Foundation and their tuition assistance program funded by generous donors. With a glimmer of hope, she applied for financial aid, praying that they would be able to afford the education they so deeply desired.
Months later, the family received the news they had been hoping for: they were awarded a tuition assistance grant from Fulcrum which was matched by St. Anthony School. Overwhelmed with gratitude, mom and dad felt a profound sense of relief and joy. They knew this opportunity would not only provide Anasofia (and later their younger children) with an excellent education, but also immerse them in a supportive community that shared their values.
Following in their big sister’s footsteps, Andrea, Mario Emiliano, and Isabella also attended St. Anthony followed by Seattle Preparatory School. Andrea and Anasofia graduated with honors from Gonzaga University. The schools nurtured their faith, encouraged their academic potential, and shaped their dreams for the future. Erika and Mario are deeply thankful to Fulcrum and its donors who made this possible. They often reflect on “the kindness and generosity of those who reached out to help a family they had never met. It is a reminder of the goodness in the world and the impact of a community coming together to support one another.”
With the assistance of Fulcrum and the schools, the Gutierrez family is thriving. Anasofia now serves as the director of Christian service at Visitation Preparatory School in Georgetown. Andrea (22) is serving at Seattle Preparatory School as member of the Alumni Service Corps, and the younger two children are completing their high school careers.
Erika is known as Mrs. Gutierrez by her own students as she is now the librarian and kindergarten aide at St. Anthony School! She is enjoying the newly renovated library and school campus made possible by a partnership between Fulcrum and Shea Homes. In her ‘spare’ time, she is earning an advanced degree through the Notre Dame Latino Educator and Administrator Development Program.
The Gutierrez family’s journey is a testament to the power of faith, community, and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to shine.