Employer jumps at chance to support school’s work-study program

As part of his work-study program at Providence Cristo Rey High School, Angel Cruz, left, works one day a week at AIT Laboratories in Indianapolis. He is pictured with Michael Evans, the founder and owner of the company, who became involved in the high school because of a teacher who influenced his life years ago. (Submitted photo)

By John Shaughnessy

Nearly 50 years have passed, but Michael Evans couldn’t resist another opportunity to show his appreciation for a teacher who had influenced his life.

When Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis sought companies to participate in its unique work-study program, Evans didn’t hesitate in committing the involvement of the business he founded and leads, AIT Laboratories in Indianapolis.

“I was taught by the Sisters of Providence in high school,” says Evans, a 1961 graduate of Our Lady of Providence Jr./Sr. High School in Clarksville. “The sister who taught me physics and chemistry was Sister Janet Bodine. I wasn’t a very good student, but she was a good teacher.”

Because Sister Janet gave Evans an opportunity to learn, he figured he could do the same for some of the students at Providence Cristo Rey, which opened in August of 2007.

“I thought it was a wonderful opportunity for us as well as our students,” Evans says. “They work hard. It inspires our employees to see these students work so hard and go to school full time. And it shows these kids they can do the work. They work side by side with our employees.”

That’s the approach that Providence Cristo Rey High School seeks from the 30 businesses who have agreed so far to be corporate sponsors in the work-study program.

“In the work-study program, teams of four students job-share one full-time, entry-level position,” explains an information sheet for the school. “Each student works five full weekdays each month during normal business hours, and class schedules are arranged so no student misses academic classes due to work.

“Through this program, students have the opportunity to gain experience in a professional work setting, fill the employment needs of local businesses and earn about 75 percent of their tuition.”

The concept has been embraced by Mike Dilts, the president of Shiel Sexton, a construction company in Indianapolis.

“This isn’t a feel-good, take-a-child-to-a-ballgame experience,” Dilts says. “This is real-life experience. This gives a young man or woman access to a professional world where they can work and say, ‘I like that, I want to do that.’ I’ve seen remarkable progress in our students by being in this environment.”

The program also connects professionals with the students, offering them a chance to make a difference in the young people’s lives.

Evans has had that impact on Brittnee Vaughn, a 15-year-old freshman at Providence Cristo Rey. She continues to work this summer as a specimen processor at AIT, analyzing and recording information. When she told Evans about her interest in forensic medicine, he arranged for her to view an autopsy.

“It was real interesting,” she says as her eyes light up at the memory of the experience. “I love my job.”

“I was really pleased I could do it for her,” Evans says. “I’ve talked to her a number of times and knew she would be interested. Brittnee has a strong interest in the sciences. It may be the stepping stone for her to go to medical school.”

It’s another way of repaying the kindness he received from Sister Janet. Beyond the corporate sponsorship to Providence Cristo Rey, Evans has made a scholarship contribution to the school in Sister Janet’s honor.

“If you get to know these kids, you understand why the extra effort is made,” Evans says. “These are terrific kids. Life is about more than the profit line. I want to go home at the end of the day and say I helped somebody. They’re a part of our organization, our family. We want to help them achieve what they want to achieve.” †