Since Schaefer’s founding in 1976, community service has been a cornerstone of our firm’s values. Annually, our firm and its individuals contribute to various non-profit organizations including Habitat for Humanity and Shared Harvest. Just as when we design buildings, we aim to make the community that we live in a better place.

Once hearing that several of our partners and clients were involved with the DePaul Cristo Rey Corporate Work Study Program, Schaefer’s leadership began researching the organization. The Corporate Work Study Program shuttles students to work at local businesses one day each school week while the students maintain academic schedules the other four weekdays. In return for students’ time at the office, sponsor firms monetarily contribute to the cost of their students’ education.

After finding the need for administrative help this past spring, Markeisha, a freshman student at DePaul Cristo Rey, joined our team. Markeisha fulfilled a necessary part-time clerical role supporting the structural engineers with filing, scanning and other mailroom duties. Not only does the Corporate Work Study Program financially help students, but Markeisha has the opportunity to learn basic office duties and experience working in a professional setting.

On her last day, Markeisha reflected on her time at Schaefer. “It was actually a great journey. The first day I came to Schaefer, I didn’t know anything about engineering. Now, I know what engineers do and how much work they have to go through. I just didn’t learn about engineers, but I learned about basic office work such as scanning, mailing and filing. This is a great environment to work in. No one is disrespectful and everyone communicates. I know how ‘hard work’ feels.”

Because the program rotates students to different employers every year, Markeisha will not return to Schaefer in the fall. However, Schaefer will continue with the program and will welcome a new student for the 2015-2016 school year. We look forward to meeting the new addition to our team!

About DePaul Cristo Rey High School

DePaul Cristo Rey High School, sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, offers a nationally recognized, dual-focus education model to students whose families can’t afford other private, college preparatory programs. This education model, not available at any other local high school, partners challenging college preparatory academics with the Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP). It is one of 30 Catholic schools in the nationwide Cristo Rey Network which serves 9,800 students.

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