Cristo Rey Work Study Program Promotes Learning Outside the Classroom

The Cristo Rey Work Study Partnership program matches underserved youth with companies throughout Atlanta to learn about the business world. At Healthcare IT Leaders, we’re proud to partner with Cristo Rey and work alongside these amazing young people.

The program kicks off each year on "Draft Day" when students learn which companies they will be matched to. Four students are then paired with a corporate partner for a nine-month period during the school year. Earnings from the program help students defray tuition costs, giving them access to a rigorous college preparatory program that would otherwise be too expensive.

Cristo Rey students also gain valuable real-world job skills, contacts, and experience through their Work Study jobs, and go on to college in record numbers, in large part because of their early exposure to the working world.

For students like Stephanie Castolo, the program provides an opportunity to see how an office works, while honing soft skills like talking on the phone and business etiquette.

Healthcare IT Leaders intern coordinator Lindsey Gray pronounced the program a win-win success for all, and was impressed by the attitude and work ethic of the students. “The future holds no limit for these interns,” remarked Gray.

The video above recaps our inaugural year with the program. Visit the Cristo Rey website to learn more about corporate support opportunities.