It was a little more than a year ago that word made the rounds that former Genesis Women’s Shelter Executive Director Susan Wells Jenevein and Dallas first son/educator Gunnar Rawlings had become part of something called Cristo Rey Dallas. When asked, Susan responded that it was an incredible program and more would be revealed at a later date.
Susan Wells Jenevein (File photo)
That date has arrived and things are happening.
Cristo Rey Dallas is part of the Cristo Rey Network. Okay, so what the heck is Cristo Rey? It’s a “proven, revolutionary model of college-preparatory high school curriculum accessible to those from some of the most economically challenged families.”
The network of schools already has facilities in 19 states with 9,000 students. But now Dallas will officially open its own Cristo Rey doors in August for 130 ninth-graders in Pleasant Grove.
During the next four years, a new class of students will be added, with the goal being 550 students by the 2018-2019 school year.
Originally founded by Jesuit priest John Foley in 1996, the school is open to students of all religious denominations.
As for Susan and Gunnar, they’re part of the team that will be opening the doors the first day of school. Susan is director of development and Gunnar’s in charge of the Corporate Work Study Program.
Gunnar Rawlings (File photo)
According to Gunnar, “The Corporate Work Study Program distinguishes Cristo Rey Dallas from other college preparatory schools. Through their experience in a professional work environment, our students learn the relevance of their rigorous academic work and open their imaginations to a career that requires a college degree. The process also allows students to take real ownership of their educations and lives.”
Adding to the excitement, it’s just been revealed that 35 Dallas companies “have agreed to serve as the 2015-2016 Founding Job Partners for Cristo Rey Dallas.” This partnership will allow the students to help fund their tuition through the Corporate Work Study Program which “will provide a full-time, entry-level position, which is filled by four students working one or two days a week.”
The 35 founding companies are A.H. Belo Corporation, Bellomy Energy, CBRE, CitySquare, Corgan & Associates, Grant Thornton, Gruber Hurst Elrod Johansen Hail, Shank LLP, Dal-Tile Corporation, Dieste, Fish & Richardson, HFF, Hunt Consolidated, Hunt Oil Company, Hunton & Williams LLP, Jackson Walker L.L.P., Jones Day, KPMG LLP. Lincoln Property Company, Locke Lord LLP, ISNETworld, Meadows Collier Reed Cousins Crouch & Ungerman LLP, McKool Smith, Mi Escuelita Preschool Inc., MoneyGram International Inc., Navigator Energy Services LLC, Norton Rose Fullbright, Parkland Health & Hospital System, Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, Santander Consumer USA, The Boston Consulting Group, Sidley Austin LLP, Southcross Energy, Taxco Produce Co., United Way Of Metropolitan Dallas and Vogel Alcove.