Student Contributor -L. Estey
“Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.” They provide a lot of services to help keep students in school, graduate on time, and go on to some form of secondary education (community college, university, trade school, etc.). Helping public schools to face dropout challenges, Communities In Schools brings in resources and volunteers to help struggling students get back on track.
Communities In Schools provide comprehensive strategies; from one-to-one services such as physical and mental health care, mentoring, and college prep help; but they also offer school wide services such as food & clothing and after school enrichment programs. “Every child has tremendous potential. We help students unlock their abilities and talents, giving them a brighter future.” They have programs to address all the following services; case management, PrimeTime Mentoring, behavioral interventions, college & career prep, community & service learning, enrichment, family engagement, life skills, oral & physical health, academic assistance and basic needs. They help students to overcome barriers to succeed in school. Communities In Schools has decreased dropout rates and increased on-time graduations.
Teachers can partner with this organization by participating in their PrimeTime Mentoring program, this is one of the largest programs they have for at-risk students. They also hold multiple drives and fundraisers they have throughout the year. They have game drives, food drives, winter clothing drives, and help keep food pantries in the schools. They also have anti-bully assemblies and offer physical and mental health care.
CIS Spokane: https://spokane.ciswa.org/
CIS Washington: https://ciswa.org/
