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by Ruby Perez
Each day thousands of children
in our community face significant obstacles to
obtaining an education. Social, academic and
economic issues threaten their ability to stay
in school and work toward a promising future.
Communities In Schools offers a compassionate
and well trained ear to children who are growing
up too fast because of parental neglect,
poverty, drugs, social problems or other issues
that interfere with their ability to attend or
do well in school.
One child at a time, Communities In Schools of
South Central Texas provides school-based
social, academic and counseling services to
these children so that they can succeed in
school and make positive life choices.
CIS South Central Texas has on-campus staff at
thirty schools from elementary to high school in
five school districts in suburban and rural
Comal, Bexar and Guadalupe counties.
During its first year of operations, in 1992,
CIS South Central Texas served 300 students on
five campuses. Last year, more than 20,000
students received at least one significant
service, with more than 2,800 receiving full
case-management services which include
counseling and life skills, character-building,
academic assistance, and health and human
services.
CIS believes that every child needs and deserves
a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult, a
safe place to learn and grow, a healthy start
and a healthy future, a marketable skill to use
upon graduation, and a chance to give back to
the community.
The growth of the CIS program is a measure of
its successful outcomes. CIS South Central Texas
performance outcomes for 2005-2006 as reported
by the CIS Texas office are:
Case managed students served that stayed in
school: 99.5%
Case managed students with attendance problems
that improved: 86%
Case managed students with academic problems
that improved: 93%
Case managed students with behavior problems
that improved: 97%
A new program, Project Success, was introduced
in the 2006-2007 school year in order to give
students help in reaching the next level:
college. Project Success provided thirty seniors
from three high schools with a parallel
curriculum that provides information on college
prep, applications, and financial aid. The goal
of this project is to facilitate the college
entrance process for students who might consider
college out of their reach. In most cases, these
students will be the first generation in their
families to attend college.
Project Success had wonderful results in its
first year. Of the thirty targeted seniors,
twenty-nine received their high school diploma.
Twenty-two completed the Project Success
curriculum, attending weekly meetings and taking
college tours. The stories of these seniors lend
a face to the CIS program and speak to the lives
that are changed. At Smithson Valley High
School, six seniors enrolled in Project Success
are heading to college. At New Braunfels High
School, eight students completed the program. Of
those eight, seven received acceptance to a two
or four year school. One young man at New
Braunfels High School was homeless for much of
his high school years. Due to significant
individual support and guidance in the
preparation and application process, he has been
accepted to UTSA, and a spot on the Cross
Country Men’s Track team awaits him. At Marion
High School, eight seniors completed the
program. Of those, five were accepted to a two
or four year school. Seniors enrolled in Project
Success have been offered an astounding
$86,000.00 in scholarships!
CIS South Central Texas has a strong volunteer
program. Of particular note, is the mentor
program which matches community volunteers with
children in need of an adult role model and a
one-on-one relationship. Potential mentors
complete an application process and are then
trained and supported throughout the year.
Thirty minutes a week is all that is needed and
it can change a life. The mentor program is a
very rewarding relationship for both the mentor
and student. Other volunteer opportunities
include working on committees, assisting with
fundraisers, and assisting with community
events.
Through six core service areas, strong community
partnerships and a proven program, CIS provides
the support and guidance necessary to assist
at-risk students in building their character and
self-esteem. This leads to a stronger resolve to
become a better person, stay in school and
become a healthy self-sufficient adult.
To learn more about Communities In Schools call
620-4247.
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