Cristo Rey Network launches new partnership with Best Buy’s @15

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Brenda Schulze
(312) 784-7208
bschulze@cristoreynetwork.org

Cristo Rey Network launches new partnership with Best Buy’s @15

CHICAGO - February 5, 2010 - The Cristo Rey Network recently launched a new video project, “My Education, My Job, My Success,” in partnership with Best Buy’s @15 initiative and generous support from The Bradley Foundation.

For five months, Cristo Rey Network students, Brandon Guevara from Christ the King Preparatory in Newark, NJ and Jasmine Kendrick from Detroit Cristo Rey High School in Detroit, MI, will document how they live their lives at 15, learn from their jobs and school, love their families and communities, and also become leaders in all their environments - the core foundations of the @15 campaign.

“@15 fuels the power of America’s teenagers,” said Cristo Rey Network President and CEO Robert Birdsell. “We are ecstatic for this opportunity for our inspiring students to share from their perspectives how a 15-year-old can break the cycle of poverty by integrating school and work.”

Brandon and Jasmine will record experiences from their home, corporate work-study position, and school in relation to the themes live, learn, love, and lead. Footage will be edited into short documentaries to be posted monthly, from February thru June, at www.at15.com and www.cristoreynetwork.org.

About the Cristo Rey Network®:
The Cristo Rey Network is comprised of 24 high schools that provide a quality, Catholic, college preparatory education to 5,892 urban young people who live in communities with limited educational options. Most of our students qualify for the federal free or reduced lunch program. Member schools utilize a longer school day and year, academic assistance, and counseling to prepare students with a broad range of academic abilities for college. All students at Cristo Rey Network schools participate in a work study program through which they finance the majority of the cost of their education, gain real world job experience, grow in self-confidence, and realize the relevance of their education. Learn more at www.cristoreynetwork.org.

About @15:
Best Buy believes in the power of teens, and @15 is a new platform to connect with them, give voice to their perspectives, and invest our resources—including the energy and talents of our employees—to turn their ideas into action and support their efforts to lead social change. Teens bring passion and enthusiasm to tackling tough issues. They are also important to our business— they shop in our stores, and they're our future employees. There's a real opportunity to listen to and learn from what teens have to say. And through the @15 Fund, we'll put the philanthropic power of @15 directly into their hands. To learn more, visit www.at15.com.

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