¡Vamos a Trabajar!

Cristo Rey San Diego High School’s 2023 spring campaign, Vamos a Trabajar, will provide for the success of our students and our Corporate Work Study (CWS) program. CWS is the cornerstone of the Cristo Rey student experience and the financial backbone of the school. As we expand to accommodate all four grade levels this fall, CWS will benefit from increased operational and logistical support, as we build out the infrastructure for this program to continue providing meaningful work experience for all students, and real value to the many local companies who partner with us to employ students.

Vamos a Trabajar will provide for the development of our CWS program in four primary ways:

1. Transportation: Crucial to the infrastructure of CWS, our school vans transport students to and from their work sites each day. Our fleet currently consists of six vans, and additional vans will be required to accommodate our growing student body in the 2023-2024 school year. One used Nissan NV 12-passenger van costs approximately $50,000.
2. Sponsor-A-Job: Individual donors and corporate sponsors provide nonprofit organizations with the opportunity to employ Cristo Rey San Diego students by sponsoring the CWS fee for a team of student associates. This helps the nonprofits put even more funding directly towards their mission, while providing students with valuable work experience in the nonprofit sector. Sponsoring a team of four students for the 2023-2024 year costs $33,600.
3. Professional Development and Personnel: In addition to functioning as a staffing agency, CWS provides professional development and upskilling to ensure students are building hard and soft skills for a successful future. This campaign will support CWS’ operational infrastructure by ensuring students have access to professional development programs and that CWS is optimally staffed as it grows.
4. General Student Success/Sponsor-A-Student: A Cristo Rey education prepares students for both college and career. While their CWS job placements cover most of the cost of students' education, there is still a gap between what the students earn through CWS (plus the modest tuition payments made by families) and the overall cost of their education. The gap is about $8,000/year for each student.

Naming opportunities are available, all contributions are tax-deductible, and gifts of all sizes make a difference. As always, we are extremely grateful for your support and partnership. By investing in Cristo Rey San Diego’s work study program, you will make a tangible impact on the lives of motivated students. Here are some ways that CWS is changing lives and companies for the better:

• “An important skill set that I’ve learned through working at CBRE is becoming more comfortable with public speaking and working on my professional communication.” -Victoria C., Class of 2025
• “Something I’ve learned through working in the lab at Precision Diagnostics is to always ask questions and want to help. My work experience has helped me learn to see receiving feedback as a good thing, so I can be better at my job.” -Mauro G., Class of 2024
• “I’m a great believer in intergenerational programs because young people bring a vibrancy and energy into our facility that can only come from young people, and our residents really appreciate the interaction. We find that young people bring a different perspective that we may not have considered, and that’s really important.” -Janet, student supervisor at St. Paul’s Plaza, a location of St. Paul’s Senior Services

Let’s get to work helping students of limited economic means gain professional experience and opportunities that, when paired with college preparatory academics, will build the foundation for a successful career. ¡Vamos a Trabajar, y Viva Cristo Rey!