Food, families, and a whole lot of smiles filled Cristo Rey St. Martin on Thursday, November 6.
Inside the school, our Fall Open House welcomed 110 prospective families eager to explore what makes CRSM such a special place. At the same time, in our parking lot, the Northern Illinois Food Bank hosted a holiday meal distribution, making sure local families had what they needed to celebrate the season.
It was a perfect snapshot of the Cristo Rey spirit: learning, community, and service all happening at once.
“Every smile, conversation, and warm welcome truly reflected the heart of Cristo Rey St. Martin,” said Viviana Vasquez, Director of Admissions. “The feedback we received from families and community organizations was incredibly positive.”
Inside, families toured the school, met teachers and staff, and learned about our rigorous college-prep curriculum and transformative Corporate Work Study Program. Outside, volunteers from the Northern Illinois Food Bank and the school distributed holiday meal boxes for 750 families, bringing healthy meals and cheer to our neighbors. With over 70 CRSM students and staff volunteering for the event, Jim Dippold – Director of Campus Ministry – said, “It was an amazing outpouring of generosity and care for the community.”
We are so grateful to all the staff and volunteers who made the day possible. From guiding tours to greeting guests, your energy, teamwork, and kindness made the day truly memorable.
This day reminded us why Cristo Rey St. Martin is more than a school. It is a place where education meets service, where students and staff give back, and where our doors are always open to community and connection.