The Diocese of Des Moines

Update August 24, 2011

Given the current economic realities which continue to feed the concern about fewer resources to be shared by ever growing needs, and given the unfortunate closing of the Omaha Cristo Rey school we find that we must reexamine our implementation of the Cristo Rey project.

 

Cristo Rey represents an extraordinary investment in our future – but that investment comes at a cost. We are analyzing ways to reduce our costs while being faithful to the mission.  We have asked our Corporate Sponsors to remain committed to participating in Cristo Rey when we do finally open our doors.

 

We ask for your patience and prayers as we seek to find the best way to implement the Cristo Rey program. 

 

 

***previous posts***Update June 27, 2011

 

The Cristo Rey project continues to attract Corporate Sponsors.  Nationwide has committed to hiring up to two Cristo Rey teams when the school opens.  Many thanks to Kim Austen and Monica Friedman for making this happen!

 

 

 

Update June 16, 2011

 

Graduation season is upon us, and I had the distinct pleasure to attend Cristo Rey Twin Cities' graduation in Minneapolis.  Sixty students graduated - 4 are entering the Marines, 16 are accepted to two-year or technical colleges, and 40 are accepted to four-year private or public colleges.  The valedictorian will be attending Georgetown!  It was inspiring to see the confidence, pride and excitement from the students - but even more so to hear their families celebrate their accomplishments.

 

The Star Tribune has an excellent article:

www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/123724124.html

 

And from CNN....Don Bosco Cristo Rey in Washington DC is highlighted in this CNN article.  

www.cnn.com/2011/US/06/11/homeless.teen.college/index.html?iref=allsearch

 

Cristo Rey schools are making a difference around our country!

 

 

*****previous post*****

 

Update May 24th, 2011

 

Our Corporate Sponsors continue to show why they are some of the best companies in Des Moines.  Please join Cristo Rey Des Moines in congratulating....

 

ITAGroup Inc. of West Des Moines was a winner of the 2011 Top Small Company Workplaces competition sponsored by Inc. magazine and Winning Workplaces. The annual contest recognizes the nation’s best small and midsized company work environments. 

 

Principal Financial Group has been named the 2011 Environmental Impact Award winner in the large business category by the Greater Des Moines Partnership. The company was recognized for its sustainability efforts, including energy efficiency programs, waste prevention and recycling measures.

 

Congratulations from Cristo Rey Des Moines!

 

***previous posts***

 

 

Update May 17th, 2011

 

Good news for one of our Corporate Sponsor - Homesteaders Life.  According to the Business Record,

 

'Ratings company upgrades Homesteaders'

'A.M. Best Co. has upgraded its ratings of Homesteaders Life Co. of West Des Moines. The financial strength rating was raised to A- (excellent) from B++ and the issuer credit rating was raised to “a-,” with a stable outlook for both ratings. A.M. Best said the actions reflect Homesteaders’ improving risk-adjusted capital position, consistently favorable operating performance and strong growth in new premium production. The ratings firm said it was concerned about Homesteaders' exposure to commercial mortgage loans, but added that the portfolio is diversified and has performed well.'

 

 Congratulations Homesteaders Life - and thank you for your support of Cristo Rey Des Moines.

 

 Update April 26, 2011 

I am very pleased to announce that Nyemaster Goode law firm has joined the ranks of Cristo Rey Des Moines Corporate Sponsors.  Across the country, there are more than 200 law firms participating as Cristo Rey Corporate Sponsors (January 2009 ABA Journal).  Nyemaster Goode is the first (and only) law firm committed here in Des Moines thus far.   Please join me in welcoming them to Cristo Rey Des Moines.

 

 

Update April 18, 2011

 

Last week I was privileged to be invited to attend the Cristo Rey Network Annual Conference held in Kansas City, MO. and hosted by the Kansas City Cristo Rey high school.  The conference was packed with the latest work being done by the Cristo Rey Network and schools within the Network in academics, job development, admissions, development and running an effective Cristo Rey program.  It was inspiring to listen to Presidents of the schools tell their experiences - both the ups and downs.  There was a great deal of interest in Cristo Rey Des Moines.  I was pleased to be able to update everyone with our approved feasibility study, and discuss our next steps. 

 

One of the important things I took from this meeting was all the support the Cristo Rey Network provides to schools.  From consulting services as needed, board development, and assisting with searches for lead positions to academic training, curriculum development and testing, alumni tracking, statistical directory development and brand development, the Cristo Rey Network is actively engaged in supporting each and every school.

 

Above all - this conference highlighted WHY we do this.  The young men and women who are being provided with the opportunity to earn their way through school, and into a future.  The Network put together a video thanking all the schools for their hard work - and reminding us who we are truly serving. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5YSss7PtTg

 

And so our work continues to establish our board, identify a building and determine where the funding will come from to run a successful Cristo Rey school. 

 

Update March 21, 2011 

 

 

As we continue our efforts setting up the formal structure of Cristo Rey Des Moines, it is helpful to look at other schools to see what we can become.  Below are several resources that can help inform and educate our community about the power and potential of the Cristo Rey movement.

 

♦Did you know that Fr. Foley has a blog? Check it out at: http://www.cristoreynetwork.wordpress.com

 

♦Christ the King students from our Chicago West Side school reflect on the opportunity to work for the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks as a part of our corporate work study program in a video found on the following link:  http://www.ctkjesuit.org/news/Videos.html
 

♦Cristo Rey '60 Minutes' Interview

http://www.cristoreynetwork.org/flash/cristo_rey_60_min_interview.swf
 

♦More than a Dream: The Cristo Rey Story
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School never should have opened. Wise and cautious people with lots of experience should have explained to the school's founders, the Chicago Province Jesuits, that their audacious plan for opening a college preparatory high school for low income students in one of Chicago's toughest neighborhoods simply wouldn't work. Detractors, who repeatedly pointed out that no school like this had ever succeeded, should've been able to convince them not to even bother trying. Those naysayers, after all, were right. No school like this had succeeded. In fact, no school like this had even been attempted. The Jesuits, though, weren't swayed. They saw a need and believed this unconventional approach to education was their best shot at responding to the need. They were right. The school they started has changed the trajectory of the lives of countless students and sparked a resurgence in inner-city Catholic education in the United States. Their work is inspiring proof that a small group of people can change the world. More than a Dream tells the incredible story of the school they created and how it has changed the lives of four of its students.  http://www.morethanadreambook.com/index_cr.html


 

 

Update March 7, 2011

 

Corporate Sponsor Updates: 

Des Moines Water Works has received the Public Policy Champion of the Year award from Iowa Ducks Unlimited. The award recognizes Des Moines Water Works' advocacy for the role of wetlands in helping provide safe, clean and healthy water supply for its customers.


Meredith Corporation said it has been named a recipient of United HealthCare’s prestigious “Well Deserved” Award for employer wellness in 2010. The award goes to companies who are recognized for being committed to the health and well-being of their employees. Meredith received the highest scores overall of the 60 companies that applied for the award.

 

A Cristo Rey Corporate Sponsor agrees to contract with the Work-Study division of the school to fill one full-time equivalent (FTE) with four students who rotate days. Each student winds up working a full, eight hour day, five days a month. Students receive an excellent, college prep education while gaining valuable work experience and contacts. Businesses get highly motivated, energetic students to perform basic clerical work that is essential to the success of the business - as well as a pipeline of potential employees for the future.

 

Current Corporate Sponsors (who will hire a team of students in year one)

  1. Hy-Vee Corporate

     

  2. Bank of the West
  3. Ruan
  4. Casey’s Corporate
  5. ITA Group
  6. Homesteaders Life
  7. Iowa Department of Natural Resources
  8. IMT Group
  9. Federal Home Loan Bank
  10. Jacobson Companies
  11. Bankers Trust
  12. Des Moines Water Works
  13. St. Jude Enterprises
  14. GuideOne
  15. Mercy Medical (Catholic Health Initiatives)
  16. Sammons Annuity Group
  17. Employee and Family Resources
  18. Baker Group
  19. Merit Resources
  20. Iowa Workforce Development
  21. Principal Financial
  22. Meredith
  23. Iowa Health Des Moines
  24. Wells Fargo

If your company is not on this list - ask them why not and encourage them to set up a meeting with the project director for Cristo Rey, Kathleen Kauth (237-5011, kkauth@dmdiocese.org)

 

 

February 14th - We received the sad news that St. Peter Claver Cristo Rey in Omaha, NE. will be closing at the end of this school year due to financial difficulties. Starting a new school is difficult in any time, but starting one just as a recession hits (as happened in Omaha opening in 2007) makes it even tougher. Our prayers go out to the students, teachers and staff at St. Peter Claver.

Our commitment to Cristo Rey Des Moines continues. We have set exceptionally conservative financial goals for our school. We intend to identify our first five years operating expenses before we open the doors. Having a school that is in financial difficulty is not good for the students, staff or community.

 

Cristo Rey Des Moines has several factors in its favor:
• We plan to open in Fall of 2012 - the recession is already starting to ease, and the next 18 months should see a stronger economic outlook.
• Our geography is smaller than Omaha, which means our transportation costs will be less.
• Des Moines will be focusing on poverty issues in education as a community as a result of the Capital Crossroads visioning plan.
• Des Moines is consistently rated as one of the top metro areas to live and work in the country.

• Our public schools have been exceptionally supportive of Cristo Rey.

 

January 26th - The Director of the Cristo Rey High School project for the Diocese of Des Moines took a group of 16 people comprised of Corporate Sponsors, community representatives and middle school administrators to Cristo Rey Jesuit Twin Cities in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Jan. 26.

 

The group first visited Dorsey Whitney Law Offices, in Minneapolis, where they heard a presentation by several partners, staff and a Cristo Rey student worker. Law firm representatives and the student focused on the strength and effectiveness of the program, and Dorsey’s firm commitment to the school.

 

The group then visited the local Cristo Rey school for a tour and a discussion with students and administrators. The Des Moines group wants to learn from the experience of the Cristo Rey school in the twin cities: how the school works, things administrators might have done differently and things that are working well.


The day was long, but extremely beneficial as the Des Moines Cristo Rey coordinators begin to develop a vision for how the local Cristo Rey Des Moines should look.


Comments from the group:
 “It exceeded my expectations. I thought I was onboard before. Now I can’t bear the thought of Des Moines without this school.” Ron Hanson, Vice-President Human Resources, Ruan.


 “The enthusiasm and professionalism of the students was very impressive to me. I was so impressed that they could speak as clearly and professionally as they did at such a young age in front of all of us adults.” Nancy Betz, Vice-President of Human Resources, Federal Home Loan Bank.


The Des Moines group dedicated to bringing Cristo Rey to the metro area has approval from the Cristo Rey Network (www.cristoreynetwork.org) and is now working to establish a firm financial base for the school. If you are interested in learning more about Cristo Rey or supporting the local effort, contact kathleen kauth at 237-5011 or kkauth@dmdiocese.org. 
 

I'll Make Me a World in Iowa - Cristo Rey Des Moines had a booth at the enormously popular "I'll Make Me a World in Iowa" event celebrating African American culture and history in Iowa.  Many parents and students discussed the upcoming school, and provided contact information for informational meetings to take place in late Spring.

 


What is Cristo Rey?
A college preparatory high school in the Catholic tradition exclusively for economically disadvantaged students of all faiths whose needs are not being met in a traditional public school.

What makes it so different?
A Cristo Rey school utilizes a unique work study model that allows the students to earn the majority of their tuition by working in entry-level corporate jobs. Exposure to these white-collar careers, mentoring, support and work experience from the corporate world have proven invaluable to the students as they make their way through college and into the workforce.
 

 Are there other Cristo Rey schools?

There are 24 Cristo Rey high schools around the country.  For the 2009-2010 school year, 96% of students graduated - with every graduate accepted to at least one college.  Every community must complete an in-depth feasibility study prior to applying for membership in the Cristo Rey Network.  There are schools in:

 

  1. Baltimore, MD
  2. Birmingham, Al
  3. Brooklyn, NY
  4. Cambridge, MA
  5. Chicago, Il (Pilson area)
  6. Chicago, Il (West Side)
  7. Cleveland, OH
  8. Denver, CO
  9. Detroit, MI
  10. Houston, TX
  11. Indianapolis, IN
  12. Kansas City, MO
  13. Lawrence, MA
  14. Los Angeles, CA
  15. Minneapolis, MN
  16. New Your, NY
  17. Newark NJ
  18. Omaha, NE
  19. Portland, OR
  20. Sacramento, CA
  21. SanFrancisvo, CA
  22. Tucson, AZ
  23. Washington, DC
  24. Waukegan, Il

 

Cristo Rey Des Moines

Through the year-long feasibility study we have demonstrated the need (more than 8,000 high school students meet the income qualifications - more than half of those are in the DMPS school system).  Parents and students are very interested in the college prep material and especially in the work-study program.  We have determined business support in the form of Corporate Sponsors (companies that agree to hire a team of Cristo Rey students - see list below).   Our feasibility study was approved in late 2010, and we are in the process of establishing a board of trustees, identifying philanthropic donors and a site.  Our target opening date is fall of 2012.

  1. Hy-Vee Corporate has agreed to be our first Corporate Sponsor.
  2. Bank of the West has committed as of 2/5/10  
  3. Ruan has committed as of 2/5/10
  4. Casey’s Corporate has committed as of 2/10/10
  5. ITA Group has committed as of 2/19/10
  6. Homesteaders Life has committed as of 3/2/10
  7. Iowa Department of Natural Resources has committed as of 3/22/10
  8. IMT Group as of 3/24/10
  9. Federal Home Loan Bank as of 4/8/10
  10. Jacobson Companies as of 4/16/10
  11. Bankers Trust as of 4/23/10
  12. Des Moines Water Works as of 4/26/10
  13. St. Jude Enterprises as of 4/27/10
  14. GuideOne as of 4/27/10
  15. Mercy Medical (Catholic Health Initiatives) as of 4/28/10
  16. Sammons Annuity Group as of 4/30/10
  17. Employee and Family Resources as of 5/6/10
  18. Baker Group as of 5/12/10
  19. Merit Resources as of 5/13/10
  20. Iowa Workforce Development as of 5/14/10
  21. Principal Financial as of 5/21/10
  22. Meredith as of 6/1/10
  23. Iowa Health Des Moines as of 6/3/10 
  24. Wells Fargo as of 7/16/10

Although we have met our benchmark for the feasibility study, we will continue to accept businesses as Corporate Sponsors.  


For more information, contact:

Kathleen Kauth

Cristo Rey Project Director, Diocese of Des Moines

515-237-5011 (office)

515-720-3386 (cell)

 

Media

Iowa Public Radio's Rob Diller did a story on the Des Moines Cristo Rey feasibility study on Aug. 27.

 

The Cristo Rey feasibliity study was the focus of "In the Heartland With Bishop Pates" radio show on April 30.

April 30-- Cristo Rey School project

 

 

Cristo Rey Project

Transforming America – One Student at a Time
Cristo Rey Des Moines
 

 

 

 

 

 Congratulations Homesteaders Life!  Thank you for your continued support of Cristo Rey Des Moines.

 

 

***previous posts****

 

 

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