by Sarahi Perez
Alex Ramirez, a graduate of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, witnessed the La Casa Student Housing building rise from the ground on his commute to school.
“I saw La Casa being constructed when I would pass by to go to school and I was interested, but I didn’t think I could afford it,” says Alex. “I was not a straight-A student and I thought I couldn’t get any scholarships or financial help.”
His plans were to attend a community college near home because it would be more affordable and realistic for him and his family.
During his senior year,La Casa came to one of the college fairs offered at Cristo Rey. “La Casa had a table there and one of my friends said that La Casa was offering internships to help pay for the cost of living there,” he says.
La Casa’s Career internship Program (CIP) enables students to become leaders and professionals by preparing them through hands-on work experience, professional workshops, and mentorship. The CIP also includes networking opportunities, which allows students to interact with professionals in different fields that they would not have the opportunity to do so otherwise.
After graduation, Alex applied to several colleges and was accepted into Harold Washington College. He was also approved for the CIP and was offered an interview for TRP’s Executive Intern position. His previous experience in the Cristo Rey work-study program helped him successfully interview and land the position.
As the Executive Intern, Alex works with different departments helping with workshops, meeting new people, and helping with the work The Resurrection Project does in and out of the office. “I have to be responsible for my own tasks and have initiative to help others,” Alex says.
In May 2016, Alex will have completed his first year at Harold Washington and as an intern living at La Casa. His parents and two younger sisters have encouraged and supported him, and he believes this program has had a positive influence on them all.
“Any internship can impact someone’s life because it helps the student see that it is possible to work in place like this one day,” says Alex. “Being part of the CIP helped me value my housing and my education, and I want to make the best of my experience both at La Casa and at TRP.”
According to Alex, this experience has also taught him more about himself and his potential to accomplish more than he ever thought could. “Claudia Calderon, La Casa’s Corporate Internship Director, has been there for me from the beginning,” says Alex. “She’s like my mom away from home and her presence has made a great impact in my life as well.”
Now Alex feels like the opportunities are endless and plans to transfer to the criminal justice program at University of Illinois at Chicago. His dream is to one day serve others as a police officer, detective, or agent.
The CIP program is part of TRP’s Vision 2020 plan to increase workshops and programming to build healthy communities. This transformative experience for students could not be possible without the generous support of The John Buck Company Foundation, Chicago Tribune Charities – Holiday Campaign, a McCormick Foundation fund, the A. Montgomery Ward Foundation, and two anonymous donors.