WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, January 25th, Rev. John P. Foley will be one of the nine leaders in Catholic education from across the country who will be honored at the White House as Champions of Change for their service to their communities and our nation.  These extraordinary individuals have made a significant impact on the students, families, and educators through Catholic schools and universities throughout America.  Their innovative ideas and dedication to students and to the wider community, demonstrate the strong commitment to ensuring that every child has an opportunity for greatness.  

“We are thrilled to recognize these extraordinary Champions in Catholic Education at the White House. Each of these nine leaders embody the values of education, innovation and service through their stellar contributions to Catholic schools and the wider communities they serve,” said Alexia Kelley, Senior Policy Advisor White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. “These Champions, like their colleagues in Catholic education across the country, inspire all of us to build up our communities and our nation’s young people.”

The Champions of Change program was created as a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative. Each week, a different sector is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, are recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.

 
Champions for Change Event

About Fr. John P. Foley, S.J.:
After serving the Jesuit missions in Peru for 34 years, working primarily in education, Father Foley returned to Chicago in 1995 to collaborate in establishing Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. A quality, Catholic, college preparatory high school, Cristo Rey serves a Hispanic neighborhood of working-class families with very limited options for giving their children the kind of education that families in other neighborhoods too often take for granted.  Father Foley and his team employed an innovative business model whereby students work five days each month in an entry-level job at a professional company, with the fee for their work being directed to underwrite tuition costs. As the founding President of the school for eight years, Father Foley established the tradition and spirit of a school that has become a national model of 24 sustainable, Catholic high schools serving 6,900 low-income youth this school-year. In January of 2005, he assumed the presidency of the Cristo Rey Network, of which he is presently Chair Emeritus and Chief Mission Officer.