Raya Young - Cristo Rey
The best word I can think of to describe my experience at Cristo Rey so far is chaotic. Chaotic, crazy, wild... and utterly fantastic. Since Cristo Rey is still very new (this is only its second year up and running), everything is pretty novel and experimental. The staff is still utilizing trial and error, the kids are still getting used to this new way of attending school, and families in the area are still starting to receive word of Cristo Rey’s intriguing style and methods, and are warming up to its ideas.
The concept of part-time work and part-time study is not a particularly new or exciting one, but Cristo Rey took that idea and flew with it. High school students who, prior to their arrival at Cristo Rey, have had little to no positive role models and furthermore, have barely any exposure to or knowledge of corporate careers or higher education, are now going to work in fancy offices in tall buildings with people who have worked hard and earned major success.
The influence that this Work Study program has had on these kids can be seen physically through the students’ demeanors. On their particular work day, the kids arrive at school and go through a standard morning routine, during which they grab breakfast, chat with friends, and most importantly, prepare mentally for a full work day ahead of them. My coworkers and I interact with the students during this time. We make sure the students are dressed appropriately for work, are ready and excited for the day, and we load them up into vans and send them off to work. At that point forward, it’s in their hands.
My purpose at Cristo Rey is not exactly defined. I am there to help out in any way I can, whether it be filing work permits, inputting data, or helping to train students in necessary workplace skills. Above all, though, I am there for the students. Something my boss, Sarah Chesson, said to me during my first week has stuck with me throughout my time at Cristo Rey. She told me that I am first and foremost there to serve as an additional positive, encouraging adult influence that helps to make the students’ morning a little brighter before heading to work.
I keep that thought in my mind all the time. The knowledge that I am helping someone else be successful solely through my experiences, my attitude, and seemingly trivial interactions is great motivation to be my best me. If I can contribute even a tiny amount to these kids’ success either in school or in their workplace (or preferably, both), then I am extremely happy with my job. Everything else is just icing on the cake.
So as I weave my way through a classroom full of loud, energetic fourteen and fifteen year olds at 7:30 in the morning, I can’t help but smile at the insane chaos that is Cristo Rey. Everything is new, everything is exciting, and everything is full of endless possibility. Although the vivacity and craziness intimidated me somewhat at first, I simply braced myself and dove right in, and I am so proud to be swimming amidst the pandemonium. After all, what fun is a boring workplace with everything already decided and set into place? We at Cristo Rey are embracing the chaos, we are breaking boundaries and pushing limits, and we are learning and growing immensely in the process.