A Lifelong Belief in the Power of Catholic Education

Dr. Bob Flick and Family Opening Doors for Inner-city Students

“I’m a product of Catholic education,” he says. “I started at Our Lady of Lourdes, then St. Xavier High School, and finally Xavier University. I recognize the value of that education and the sacrifice my parents made to give me that gift. When I learned about CISE, I knew it was something my family needed to support so that children with fewer opportunities could have the same chance I was given.”

Since getting involved in 2012, Dr. Flick has become a steadfast champion of CISE. He’s a loyal donor, a Spring Party regular, and has served as a member of the board of trustees and the advisory board. The Flick Family Foundation, established through the generosity of Dr. Flick’s parents and supported by their extended family, is among the generous supporters of Securing Their Future, CISE’s first-ever capital campaign. One of the family’s greatest joys has been sponsoring the high school scholarship program, helping students take the next step in their educational journey. Watching students receive their diplomas at CISE-supported schools, surrounded by proud family members, reminds him what this work is all about. “It’s so much more than an education,” he says. “We’re preparing young people for life.”

He believes what makes CISE special is the depth of its care. Rooted in Catholic values, CISE nurtures the whole child—mind, body, and spirit—while offering families a sense of community and hope. “We’re not just providing funding for schools. We’re walking with these students every step of the way, through counseling, health care, career and technical education, and even basic nutrition. And we’re supporting the teachers who make that difference every day.”

That comprehensive approach, he says, is especially vital for children growing up in under-resourced neighborhoods. A values-based Catholic education gives students both skills and confidence. For many, it also provides the role models and encouragement that can change the entire trajectory of their lives.

The Securing Their Future campaign is, to Dr. Flick, the natural next step in a mission that has already transformed thousands of lives. “For more than four decades, CISE has been planting seeds of hope and opportunity,” he says. “This campaign ensures that continues, strengthening schools, supporting teachers, and opening doors to high school, college, and beyond.”

For the Flick family, investing in educators is especially meaningful. “We’ve had many teachers in our family, Heather, my sister, my brother-in-law, my mom. Through their example, I’ve seen how much influence a great teacher has on a student’s life. We want to make sure the best of the best are in our classrooms, inspiring the next generation.”

As he reflects on what drives his support, Dr. Flick sums it up simply: “Today’s students are tomorrow’s nurses, teachers, engineers, social workers, mothers, and fathers. By investing in them now, we’re shaping a brighter future for all of us.”

Since 1980, CISE (Catholic Inner-city Schools Education) has opened doors to opportunity for children in Cincinnati’s underserved neighborhoods. Through partnerships with 12 Catholic elementary schools and 14 high schools, CISE provides scholarships, support services, and essential programs that help more than 3,000 students each year succeed in school and in life.

Learn more at CISEKids.org.