Fr. John Foley named Manhattan Institute Social Entrepreneurship Award winner

CHICAGO (July 26, 2010) – Cristo Rey Network Chairman Fr. John P. Foley, SJ has just been named a 2010 Manhattan Institute Social Entrepreneurship Award winner by the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. The award honors nonprofit leaders who have founded innovative, private organizations to help address some of America’s most pressing social problems.

Fr. Foley was nominated for the prestigious award by long-time friend B.J. Cassin, chairman of the Cassin Educational Initiative Foundation, which provided start up grants for the first 16 Cristo Rey Network schools and was founding Chairman of the Cristo Rey Network.

“Fr. Foley’s enterprising work has sparked a revival and vitality in urban education,” remarked Cassin. “His visionary courage in dreaming the impossible, and making it come true, has changed the path of the lives of countless students, their families, and their communities.”

Winners are selected each year to honor organizations that have demonstrated both effectiveness and the promise of significant impact. Past award recipients include, but are not limited to: Juan Rangel, United Neighborhood Organization; Robert L. Woodson Sr., Center for Neighborhood Enterprise; Aaron Hurst, Taproot Foundation; and Jacob Schramm, College Summit.

“Under the leadership of Fr. Foley, more than 3,000 students from low-income communities have graduated from 24 Cristo Rey Network schools,” said Cristo Rey Network President and CEO Robert Birdsell. “We are thrilled the Manhattan Institute has recognized his transformative efforts and impact.”

Fr. Foley will be presented the Manhattan Institute Social Entrepreneurship Award and prize at a dinner hosted by the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research in New York on November 4th. To learn more about the award, visit http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/social_entrepreneurship.htm.

About the Cristo Rey Network®:
The Cristo Rey Network is comprised of 24 high schools that provide a quality, Catholic, college preparatory education to 5,892 urban young people who live in communities with limited educational options. Most of our students qualify for the federal free or reduced lunch program. Member schools utilize a longer school day and year, academic assistance, and counseling to prepare students with a broad range of academic abilities for college. All students at Cristo Rey Network schools participate in a work-study program through which they finance the majority of the cost of their education, gain real world job experience, grow in self-confidence, and realize the relevance of their education. Learn more at www.cristoreynetwork.org.