Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School’s “Light Our Way” Gala Raises $600,000 to Support Students and Expand Opportunity

Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School celebrated a powerful evening of community, partnership, and purpose at the Light Our Way Gala, held May 5, raising $600,000 to support the school’s mission of providing a transformational college-preparatory education paired with real-world professional experience.

The event brought together Corporate Work Study partners, donors, families, faculty and staff, board members, alumni, and supporters united by a shared commitment to creating brighter futures for Cristo Rey Brooklyn students.

“We are immensely proud of what this community is achieving together,” said Cristo Rey Brooklyn President Michael Motyl during the evening’s remarks. “Our students are not defined by where they come from. They are defined by where they are going. And thanks to this community, they are going far.”

The gala honored Club Quarters, Vincent LeVien, and The Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University for their extraordinary dedication to expanding opportunities for Cristo Rey Brooklyn students through partnership, mentorship, and professional development.

Receiving the Catherine McAuley Spirit of Mercy Award on behalf of Club Quarters, Krystin Gimpel reflected on the organization’s deep commitment to Cristo Rey Brooklyn students through the Corporate Work Study program.

“This partnership has never been just about work placements,” Gimpel shared. “It’s about showing up—for the students, for the school, and for the community.”

The evening also highlighted Cristo Rey Brooklyn’s growing partnership with The Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University through the InsureFutures program, an innovative partnership where ten insurance companies sponsor CRB work study students, who have access to priority admission at the business school. Dr. Maciek Nowak, Dean of the college, spoke about the rapid impact of the collaboration.

“Here we are, not even two years since we first connected, and we’ve had 20 Cristo Rey students immersed in the insurance field,” said Dr. Nowak. “It is a testament to the incredible things we can do when inspired by such a meaningful program.”

One of the evening’s most inspiring moments came from student speaker Lourishky Claude, Class of 2027, who spoke about the supportive and challenging environment that has shaped his experience at Cristo Rey Brooklyn.

“Every moment I spend at CRB, I feel like our connection with one another grows stronger,” Lourishky shared. “The teachers not only support us, but they also care for us, and that means caring enough to challenge and push us to be our best. Thanks to CRB, I can confidently say that in the near future, I will be a first-generation college student.”

Funds raised through the gala directly support Cristo Rey Brooklyn’s mission to prepare students for college, careers, and lives of purpose through rigorous academics, professional work experience, and a strong community of support.

The success of the evening was made possible through the dedication and generosity of the Host Committee, Board of Trustees, sponsors, honorees, Corporate Work Study partners, faculty and staff, and the broader Cristo Rey Brooklyn community.

Together, the Cristo Rey Brooklyn community continues to light the way for students as they pursue ambitious dreams and brighter futures.