SGR PARTNERS WITH
CRISTO REY ATLANTA JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
SGR attorneys help coach and mentor the next generation
H
igh school students walking the halls of
of 30 Catholic, college preparatory high schools
to realize that vision.Through this innovative
the Atlanta office of Smith, Gambrell &
for underrepresented urban youth. Their goal
program, students work five full days a month at
Russell have been a welcome addition
is to change the face of urban education in the
top local companies. In fact, some of the other
United States.
CWSP partners are clients of SGR.
to the Firm. SGR has partnered with Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School’s Corporate Work
The objective of the CWSP is to help students
“SGR is proud to be a job partner with Cristo
Study Program (CWSP) for the 2015/16 school
envision a future that includes a college degree
Rey,” said Steve Forte, SGR’s Managing Partner.
year. Cristo Rey High School is part of the
and a successful professional career, and to equip
“This program follows a nationally proven model
national Cristo Rey Network, which is comprised
them with the knowledge and skills needed
that helps young people in our community
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TRUST THE LEADERS | Winter 2016 | SGRLAW.com
Finish Line
Pictured left with SGR’s Cristo Rey students are (from left to right) Director of Marketing and Business Development Lee Watts, associate Harrison Anthony and administrative assistant Cheryl Walker.
WHAT THE STUDENTS SAY ABOUT THE PROGRAM Mariana Rodriguez
achieve success during their high school years
“I enjoy working at SGR and meeting new people. I know that this experience will help me in the future.”
that will carry them through college and into their professional careers. Our lawyers and staff are excited to participate in the personal development of the Cristo Rey students.” The earnings from their work pays for a large percentage of each student’s tuition costs, giving them access to a rigorous, quality college preparatory education that otherwise would be too expensive. Cristo Rey students also gain valuable real-world job skills, contacts and experience through this program, and go on to college in record numbers, in large part because of their early exposure to the working world. As freshmen, student workers are introduced to the basic skills needed to participate in entry-level office jobs. Students then increase their understanding of general office culture,
The Cristo Rey students gain valuable real-world job skills, contacts and experience through this program, and go on to college in record numbers.
professional skills and daily responsibilities with their supervisor and colleagues as sophomore students. When students reach their junior and
Monday is the one day of the week in which
senior years, job placement begins to mirror a
students rotate their attendance at the Firm.
college-level internship.
Attorneys meet with each student over breakfast
How the Program Works
and discuss various topics, including work, school, extracurricular activities and sports. It has
Four students have been assigned to SGR. Each
been a great experience for both the students
workday, a different student arrives at the Firm
and the attorneys.
and reports to his or her assigned department.
The Firm also taught a Digital Citizenship
Assignments range from filing, organizing and
class for the Business Institute at Cristo Rey.
scanning documents, to assisting our information
“It was exciting speaking to 46 energetic and
technology department with programming
eager teenagers about social media,” says Lee
computers and phones, to creating electronic
Watts, SGR’s Director of Marketing and Business
surveys and designing invitations.
Development. “Although they wanted to talk
At SGR, the students are exposed to attorneys
about Instagram and Snapchat, I wanted to
as well as to the administrative side of a law
make sure they understood responsible uses
firm including marketing, recruiting, accounting,
of the Internet and social media. It was fun.”
information technology, records and the library.
In addition, SGR’s Kristen Lewis has committed
The students have also added to the Firm and given another glimpse of innovation and fresh ideas.“It has been a really fun experience so far,”
to mentoring a freshman at Cristo Rey for the student’s four years of high school. We are delighted to have our four Cristo Rey
says Zaire, a sophomore at Cristo Rey. “I love
students at SGR. It has been wonderful to get to
learning new things.”
know them, see them learn new skills and have
The Firm has also adopted Mentoring Monday.
Zaire Williamson “Smith, Gambrell, and Russell helps provide me a better opportunity to reach out into the real world and explore my options.” Julia Sanchez “This has been a great opportunity to learn more about a different field and how things work in a law firm.” Kondarius Lindsey “I like working at the law firm because I can learn from successful people and also am inspired to do the right thing.”
WHAT SGR SAYS ABOUT ITS NEW STUDENTS Lee Watts
Director of Marketing and Business Development
“It is a pleasure and a privilege to host the four students from Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School. The program is mutually beneficial and we are delighted to continue to be involved.”
them offer interesting and helpful ideas. n
TRUST THE LEADERS | Winter 2016 | SGRLAW.com
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