NEWARK, N.J. — Christ the King Prep School, a school for at-risk students in one of the city’s most needy neighborhoods, held its first Jobs Summit on March 11.
President Robert Sandoz, OFM, said that the event was well received, helping the school to build its corporate internship program by attracting more companies willing to employ students.
“The win-win partnership with corporate sponsors resulted in a 100 percent acceptance rate of Cristo Rey Network graduates (into colleges and universities throughout the country,” said Robert, in his welcoming remarks.
A Member of Cristo Rey Network
The Cristo Rey Network, of which the school is a member, is comprised of 24 high schools that provide a quality, Catholic, college preparatory education to urban young people who live in communities with limited educational options.
Several of the school’s corporate partners were among the estimated 100 guests, according to Gregory Gebbia, OFM, vice president for student life, as well as numerous friends of Christ the King Prep. School supporters, said Gregory, have worked hard to spread the word in the business community to recruit interested professionals from a cross-section of industries.
Speaking at the event were representatives from corporate sponsors, including a human resources consultant fromHorizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Lakia Haywood said the preparedness and professionalism of Christ the King Prep students is impressive, and their work has helped Blue Cross cost-effectively meet its entry-level administrative needs while also helping educate and mentor inner-city youth.
Student Monica Nuñez, class of 2011, worked at Horizon, and is interested in pursuing a career in health care. She said she hopes that one day she can speak at a jobs summit, not as a student, but as a corporate sponsor.
Bart Erbach, school trustee and president of Erbach Communications, invited business leaders to share their ideas on how to provide more jobs for students.
New Web Site Launched
The school’s newly-redesigned Web site was also launched during the summit.
The new Web site, said Robert, clearly defines the mission of the school, “to transform urban America, one student at a time.”
Robert and Gregory, who had staffed the Province’s parish of Our Lady of Holy Angels in Little Falls, N.J., joined the administration of Christ the King Prep in August 2009.
Now in its third year, the school’s first class will graduate in June 2011.