DALLAS – January 16, 2017 – Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep, an innovative, private high school located in the Pleasant Grove area of Southeast Dallas, has been awarded a $50,000 grant from AT&T in support of the school’s work readiness program. The school, founded in 2015, offers students of limited resources the opportunity to work one day a week in businesses that include Hunt Oil, CBRE, The Dallas Morning News, Jackson Walker, Deloitte and others. AT&T, a founding supporter of the school, currently employs two job teams consisting of eight students.
Tom Moore, AT&T’s SVP HR Compensation, Benefits and Policy, joined State Representative Toni Rose in presenting the check during the school’s weekly Character Formation Speakers Series. State Rep. Rose, who grew up in Oak Cliff, represents Texas House District 110, which includes diverse communities throughout Oak Cliff, Pleasant Grove, Balch Springs and Mesquite. Her legislative initiatives strongly focus on improving educational opportunities throughout Dallas.
"In this thriving, dynamic economy we simply cannot let our students fall behind -- all must be ready to succeed in our growing and changing workforce,” said State Rep. Toni Rose. “The Cristo Rey Dallas program is meeting the needs of our local students in district #110 and our local community with an innovative and proven program that is helping students graduate ready to succeed in college and life. I appreciate the work they are doing here in Dallas, and I appreciate AT&T for their continued and strong support of innovative programs that are making a real difference in the lives of local students, families and communities.”
Tom Moore, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at AT&T, who has been heavily involved since the schools inception added, “It’s truly inspiring to see the transformation students go through. The confidence and skills they gain is a true testament to the life-changing work Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep is doing and AT&T is grateful to have the opportunity to be part of that work.”
The contribution made by AT&T will support the work and founding mission of the school — to provide students from underserved communities a rigorous college prep education combined with valuable professional work experience in partnership with Dallas’ top businesses, enabling them to rise out of generational poverty to become men and women of purpose and service.
About Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep
Located in Pleasant Grove, Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep provides economically challenged students of all faiths with a Catholic, college prep education. Through a rigorous curriculum, integrated with a hands-on professional work experience, students graduate ready to succeed in school and in life. To learn more about Cristo Rey Dallas, visit cristoreydallas.org.
About Philanthropy and Social Innovation at AT&T
AT&T is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its community initiatives, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; or address community needs. AT&T Aspire is AT&T’s signature philanthropic initiative that drives innovation in education by bringing diverse resources to bear on the issue including funding, technology, employee volunteerism, and mentoring. Through Aspire, we’ve passed the $250 million mark on our plan to invest $350 million in education from 2008-2017.