Patricia (Patti) Bidwill, a long-time supporter of Cristo Rey St. Martin, recalls how she knew CRSM was special: “My parents always instilled in me that education is the greatest equalizer… It’s been a blessing to be part of something that has made such an impact.”
Patti’s connection to CRSM began shortly after Preston Kendall took on the role of President. With her father deeply involved in the Cristo Rey Network in downtown Chicago, it was only natural for the family to extend their support up to Waukegan when CRSM was starting to grow. For the past 19 years, Patti, along with her family’s foundation, helped elevate the school’s mission and visibility to others. Patti has donated her time, talent and resources to CRSM throughout her involvement. She was a member of the Board of Trustees, chaired the Development Committee and introduced many others to our school and our mission.
What stands out most for Patti in her time supporting CRSM? “The students,” she says. “To see their maturity, time management skills, and focus is incredible. These students are so goal-oriented.”
One memory that resonates is an event hosted by Grainger. CRSM board members and other companies were invited to hear about the school’s success. Patti remembers how genuinely invested the Grainger team was in the students and the positive energy that surrounded that experience. “It was early on, before CRSM moved into the new building, and it felt like something magical was happening.”
For Patti, CRSM’s mission resonates deeply: “The way it gives students real work experiences in environments they wouldn’t typically have access to—it’s brilliant. It’s a purposeful model that makes a real difference through education.”
CRSM is proud to have supporters like Patricia Bidwill, whose belief in the power of education continues to transform the lives of our students.