At Cristo Rey St. Martin, part of our mission is to have students become people for others. We have several organizations on campus that allow for this through their various activities, one being Oportunidades Para Todos (OPT). Throughout the year, OPT has hosted several fundraisers and efforts to support the local Waukegan and North Chicago Hispanic communities. The group also partners with various organizations within the community, such as Viator House, Catholic Charities, La Escuelita, La Casa De Misericordia, and Bethany House. Some events throughout the year have included a Christmas tree sale to support Viator House, a dress down day to raise money for La Casa De Misericordia, and many more!
At the end of the school year for the past two years, OPT has participated in the MIKVA Challenge, where they present the work they have done for their community throughout the year, and what they hoped to accomplish. Last year, the students had the opportunity to present their work with the Viator House at this event, and speak with Senator JB Pritzker and Representative Brad Schneider. This year, in similar form, the students presented their work with all the aforementioned organizations, and again had the opportunity to speak with Representative Brad Schneider. By the end of the event, one OPT member remarked how “Representative Schneider was on a first-name basis with most of us”.
This year the MIKVA Challenge was held at Waukegan High School. Five high schools in the area participated in the event; Stevenson High School, Round Lake High School, Waukegan High School, North Chicago High School, and CRSM. All groups focused on different areas in their community or school that they wanted to advocate for to make a positive change. The challenge was centered around young people getting involved in democracy and advocating for an impact. “Democracy is a verb”– the official motto of MIKVA.
“We are privileged to attend CRSM and make a difference in our community” says one OPT member.