Communities In Schools believes that caring, one-on-one relationships between adults and young people make the crucial difference. Programs don’t change kids – relationships do. CIS creates comprehensive, locally controlled and owned support systems around schools. In partnership with the local school system, CIS identifies the most critical needs of students and families – needs that are preventing children from succeeding in school, and in life. CIS then locates and coordinates community resources, dedicated volunteers and agencies to serve in partnership with the public schools, both during the day and after school, thereby making the work of our educators much more effective. Thus, coordination of effort and accountability for results are essential aspects of the service CIS provides – because, too often, well-meaning programs are not focused on overall school objectives. CIS ensures that the work of these outside agencies and volunteers is interconnected and integrated to provide the support schools need the most.

One in three Americans will not complete high school, creating a catastrophe for young people and a crisis for the United States. Students who fail in school often fail in other areas of life. Most dropouts earn significantly less income than their counterparts who finish school, and the majority will never enter the workforce at all. They are also more likely to experience social problems tied to feelings of hopelessness and disempowerment.

Ultimately, we all pay the price for this lack of academic achievement. The economy suffers, as businesses spend more on remedial training and taxpayers bear the expense of more prisons, higher public assistance rolls and escalating health care costs. And millions of uneducated, jobless young adults are left with little hope and little future.

Kids are unable to focus on learning for a variety of reasons.

Communities In Schools seeks to understand and address the underlying reasons why young people drop out. Whether kids need eyeglasses, tutoring, nutritious food or just a safe place to be, CIS finds the resources and delivers them to young people right inside schools where kids spend their days. When basic needs are met, students can concentrate on learning.

The need could be something as simple as getting kids vaccinated to meet school attendance requirements. The solution: bringing in a mobile medical unit for immunizations. Or the need could be something more complex, like helping young people find positive alternatives to joining gangs.

Every child needs and deserves:

1. A one-on-one relationship with a caring adult;

2. A safe place to learn and grow;

3. A healthy start and a healthy future;

4. A marketable skill to use upon graduation; and

5. A chance to give back to peers and community.

Listed below are categories of programs and services that are considered priority areas and that CISMBC partner schools are requesting.

Emotional and mental health

- Group and individual counseling
- Self-esteem programs

Enrichment

- Academic support
- College preparatory programs
- Performing arts programs
- Sports and physical activity programs

Health promotion

- Health education
- Health screenings
- Nutrition education
- Oral health

Parent, community and family services

- Parenting skills

Prevention education

- Alcohol and substance abuse
- Anger management and conflict resolution
-Teen Pregnancy Prevention
- HIV/AIDS awareness
- Sexual assault and harassment
- Violence prevention

If your organization offers other programs, please contact CISMBC. Our partner schools have a diverse set of needs and we are looking for new service provider partnerships.