The Cornerstone

The Cristo Rey Work-Study Program is the cornerstone to a unique and transformative educational experience. The program prepares students for college and professional life by partnering with over 100 companies across the Philadelphia area. To support the program's continued growth, we produced a video campaign highlighting the impact of the Work-Study experience from multiple perspectives, including students, teachers, mentors, and employers. The video was filmed over four production days at various job sites and Cristo Rey's campus. The final deliverables were used for recruitment, promotion, and partner engagement, including a screening at Cencora headquarters, which received positive feedback from attendees.

"The Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School Work Study Program is cultivating the future workforce."

We produced a main feature video for presentation purposes, complemented by five social media reels featuring Work-Study partners, including the YMCA, Independence Blue Cross, Comcast Center, Toll Brothers, and Virtua Health. Creative direction centered around white backdrops juxtaposed with both school and work environments to symbolize the "work in progress" theme. Our approach focused on authentically capturing students in action across each unique worksite. We filmed various work moments, including students presenting at whiteboards, unboxing materials, working on computers, walking through their workspaces, participating in meetings, and engaging in hospital environments. This visual strategy highlighted the broad spectrum of industries students are exposed to and the professionalism they demonstrate on the job. These real-life moments helped bring the story of the Work Study Program to life. The campaign also included panel-style interviews featuring students in conversation with teachers, mentors, CEOs, alumni and family members, providing layered perspectives on the program's long-term benefits.

This collaborative production with Cristo Rey's Marketing and Communications Department successfully showcased the transformative power of the Work-Study Program. The campaign generated excitement among existing partners and positioned the school to attract new students and businesses. The video's warm reception at Cencora headquarters underscored its resonance with stakeholders, reinforcing the program's role in shaping the future workforce. This campaign sets a strong precedent for future storytelling efforts at Cristo Rey Philadelphia.