Cristo Rey Network Schools are unique in that they offer a well-rounded high school education by incorporating a mandatory internship component along with a standard academic curriculum. Cristo Rey St. Martin partners with over 80 companies in the Northern Chicagoland area that employ our students to gain meaningful corporate experience. CRSM greatly values our relationships with our business partners, and to honor them, we hosted a brunch in early October at the high school. Over 100 representatives from our partnering companies came out to celebrate the success of our Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP). We heard wonderful speeches from Cristo Rey alumni Samantha Bahena and Daniela Sanchez, and UL Research Institutes President and CEO, Terry Brady. Our CWSP staff were touched to hear such kind words said about the program, and we hope our partners enjoyed the chance to be celebrated for their commitment to our mission.
The brunch began with a casual gathering where all partners were invited to get bagels, coffee, and other refreshments near our Pavilion and mingle with one another. We then moved into an awards ceremony, where we recognized our partners that have stuck with our program for 5, 10, and 15+ years. We were proud to see how many companies stayed with us over the years, especially through the uncertainties of the 2020 pandemic. It really showed us how our program is not only beneficial to the students for gaining work experience and paying for tuition, but also to companies by giving them the opportunity to work with interns and give the next generation the value tools they need to succeed in the corporate world.
The speeches that kicked off the award ceremony were dynamic, and telling of a program that serves the greater good. Samantha Behena, CRSM class of ‘17 alum reflects in her speech that, “without the Cristo Rey Network, and the CWSP, I simply would not be in the position I am in today. Dina Fiorelli (her supervisor during her time as an intern, now president of the company) saved my life. She took me under her wing, and she treated me like family. At 15 years old she saw something in me that I was not yet capable of seeing.” Samantha’s story is especially compelling, as she is now the Director of Recruiting for the company she started out as a student intern at, Advanced Resources. About 40% of our alumni now work for the business partner they did while they were CRSM student interns. This goes to show the chance at upward corporate mobility that our program truly provides our students with. “The CWSP changed my life in countless ways that I can’t even begin to describe. At 18 years old I was obtaining skills that people my age only dreamed of. I was meeting with executives, managers, directors, C-Suite leadership, and high-level HR professionals… I was surrounded by intelligent high performing producers, and I was a sponge” says Samantha.
CRSM Corporate Work Study Coordinator and alum, class of ‘16, Dulce Zarinana speaks to the benefit of the program for both students and alums, as she says, “As an alumni and current Cristo Rey St. Martin Employee, I have experienced and witnessed the benefits of the Corporate Work Study Program. The partnerships with our business partners have been essential to student’s professional growth and network… The Corporate Work Study Program challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and prepare me for ‘real-world’ work.” The coordinators, business partners, and students all have nothing but positive feedback for the Corporate Work Study Program. Us at CRSM would like to thank all of our business partners that came to the Business Partner Appreciation Brunch, and those who continue to assist our students everyday in working towards a successful future career. We would not be here without your unwavering support.