CAPITAL REGION CARES
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
C Cristo R Rey S Sacramento
Sacramento’s workforce development partner.
[PICTURED L-R]: NATALIA, JAVIER, DAVE LUCCHETTI, CEO, PACIFIC COAST BULIDING PRODUCTS AND CHRISTIAN
E
stablished in 2006, Cristo Rey High School Sacramento helps
prepare our region’s future workforce. Workforce development
is a critical topic among companies, nonprofit organizations and
government agencies, and Cristo Rey goes beyond theory to real
practice by putting high school students into real jobs through its
Work Study Program.
In addition to a quality Catholic college-preparatory education,
Cristo Rey gives students 1,200 hours of work experience before
they graduate — that translates to legitimate resumes and
significant business contacts before they’ve even begun college.
Every student from ninth to 12th grade works five days per month,
gaining valuable experience throughout an array of industries.
“Our unique Work Study Program is the heart and soul of who we
are,” says David Perry Ed. D., Cristo Rey’s President. “We see ourselves
as the entry point for all workforce development in Sacramento
because we’re addressing this issue with high school students.”
With 37 schools nationwide, Cristo Rey has a U.S. Department
of Labor agreement allowing students to participate in Work
Study to offset the cost of a college-prep high school education.
Covering 60 percent of the budget, the Work Study relationships
between students and businesses are Cristo Rey’s financial
engine: students work to contribute toward their education as
well as to gain job experience.
Businesses employing Cristo Rey students are key to the
program’s success. The school currently partners with more than 100
organizations throughout Sacramento but is always looking for more
partners. Currently 16 more companies are needed to hire students,
and Perry reminds employers that beyond benefiting students,
businesses also benefit from hiring these eager workers who are
prompt, professionally dressed and trained in business basics.
“We’re immensely grateful for our current business partners,”
says Perry. “Without them, this brilliant, practical solution to
workforce development wouldn’t exist. We welcome more
businesses to join us to serve students who otherwise wouldn’t
have these opportunities.”
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