Provide an Internship for 1 of my Students!

Hi, my name is Alan Garcia, and I serve as the VP of the Corporate Work Study Program at Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School (CRB) in East Flatbush. I’m a career educator, with an unrelenting passion for disrupting the cycle of poverty by creating more equitable pathways to college and career opportunities. I consider myself an education disruptor, a master relationship builder, a mentor, and a life-long learner.

I was born in Mexico and moved to New York City with my mother and sister via a 7-day Greyhound bus ride. My father would eventually reunite with us about a year after us settling down in the Bronx. I grew up in a cozy, 1-bedroom apartment with all the family I knew: my sister, my parents, and my maternal grandparents. Looking back, growing up in a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, trilingual household was a blessing! In many ways, “difference” was all I knew and learning how to navigate that difference came quite naturally at home. The common denominator was a strong work ethic, faith, and an unwavering belief in the power of education—if you take advantage of it. However, learning how to navigate “difference” in the streets of NYC has been a different story...

But thanks to my family and countless mentors, I was inspired to take advantage of my opportunity. I’m a graduate of Regis High School, Cornell University, and the University of Pennsylvania, but, more importantly, I’ve remained close to those who inspired me all along the way: family, friends, teachers, coaches, and I’ve never wavered from my family’s initial charge of maintaining a strong work ethic, a steady faith, and an open mind that seeks opportunity.

I’ve enjoyed a wonderful, fulfilling career providing educational access and mentorship to families who otherwise could not afford or access institutions/opportunities. In the spring of 2021, I applied, for the first time in my professional career, for a promotion. I was rejected. In the fall of that same year, I shattered my knee (torn ACL, MCL, and a bone fracture) playing my favorite sport and hobby: basketball. Trying to re-emerge from the pandemic became a cruel joke and a harrowing experience. I was at the lowest point in my life: both professionally and personally. My employer had no interest in my professional development, I was to undergo major reconstructive knee surgery, and all I had to look forward to was a lengthy, painful, and oftentimes lonely rehabilitation process.

But thanks to my wife, my family, my friends, and eventually the Cristo Rey Brooklyn community, I was again inspired to take advantage of opportunity. By the spring of 2022, I was back on my feet. Literally! Cristo Rey Brooklyn believed in me. After applying to over 90 jobs and interviewing for over 50 positions—while undergoing the most intense months of physical therapy—Cristo Rey Brooklyn emerged as the clear choice. It is the most innovative educational model I’ve ever been a part of, and the school community reminds me so much of my childhood, rooted in a strong work ethic, faith, and a desire to take advantage of opportunity.

At CRB, we understand that, in today’s social and economic climate, it’s simply not enough to “go to college”. But we're also not in the business of providing handouts. In that regard, every student enrolled at the school interns while they are going to school. Not during nights, after school, weekends, or school breaks. Each student goes to school four days a week and interns one day a week—during all 4 years of high school. This radical combination of a college preparatory education alongside “real-world” working experience is what we believe to be the recipe for breaking the cycle of poverty.

CRB is the most affordable private school option in Brooklyn for families who otherwise could not afford or access private school education. It is designed exclusively for families who live at or below the poverty line—not just in terms of affordability but also in terms of pedagogy and philosophy. This fantastic, revolutionary educational experience is made affordable, primarily, through our progressive, forward-thinking corporate sponsors. The “cost per student worker” for a company is $10,000. That is how much each student earns and, therefore, contributes towards their own education.

As part of my “life rehab,” I am running the NYC Half-Marathon on March 19, 2023 to show my CRB students that even when life knocks you down—literally and figuratively—you can always re-emerge stronger. Running this race will be a huge indicator of my physical health, but it will also hopefully inspire my students to never give up and to take advantage of opportunity—even when you get rejected, even when you feel like you are at your lowest, or even when you experience a pain you’ve never felt. Keep the faith, continue to work hard, and opportunities will come!

The proceeds will go towards sponsoring the internship for one of my students for an entire academic year. Please help me reach my goal!