back to high school!

I'm finally getting settled at work at Verbum Dei High School (here on referred to as Verb).  Students are required to get a certain number of community service hours in a year, and it is my job to organize service trips and make connections with non-profits around the city.  This has been a unique experience so far because while the students certainly come from poorer families, they work mainly with the homeless, and I assume the students realize how fortunate they are even though they don't have much. 

In college guidance where I spend the other half of my day, I've come to learn of the difficulties that students face getting into college.  Many don't have internet access at home so filling out the online applications must be done at school without the aid of a parent.  Also, as many will be first generation college students, they don't have the support of a parent who knows the process.  This has definitely made me more grateful for all the help my parents have given me. 

I know that these positions will come with challenges in dealing with the kids: as with most high schools, there are drugs.  There is a strong gang presence in LA, so some aspect of these students' lives are impacted by gangs, whether it be a family member who is affiliated or who has been a victim of gang violence.  While the kids are gregarious and energetic, I always have to remind myself that their environment may be dramatically different than mine was in the days of my high school. 

Regardless of these obstacles, Verbum Dei is an impressive school which is a part of the Cristo Rey Network.  What's that you ask?  Long story short - some Jesuits went to Chicago and asked the poorer neighborhoods what they needed ---- the answer was access to prep schools at an affordable price for low-income families.  To make this work, the Jesuits worked deals with coorporations where students do a work/study program to subsidize the cost of their tuition.  Students work at companies like E&Y, Price Waterhouse, etc. in downtown for one day a week, splitting the job (so a freshman does the job on Monday, a sophomore on Tuesday, etc.).  The company gains because it is cheaper to pay the student then to hire the worker.  The student wins because he is covering the cost of his tuition, and also gaining self-confidence, learning the corporate culture and work skills, and also gets to network with those whom have college degrees.  Genius, right? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89qwAdSX9Ow

Here's a video of a 60 minutes segment that explains the school system in more detail.  Enjoy!