Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine | Page 19
Putting Words
Into ACTION!
By Hillary Gramm, CIS Bay Area
[email protected]
At least once each school year, the
renowned African proverb, “It takes a
village to raise a child”, surfaces. Often
times, quotes like this are said in an effort
to uplift our own spirits and are rarely
further discussed and even less-likely
put into action. Not to be said in jest,
but this quote encapsulates the model
of Communities In Schools and how our community truly does work together to elevate the lives of
local youth in need.
As the name states, our organization works diligently with the community to broker resources on
school campuses for students, parents, teachers and administrators. These community resources
are put in place to alleviate struggles that prevent students from reaching their full-potential in the
classroom. Our staff, known as Campus Coordinators, meets individually with the most at-risk youth
on their campuses and creates a customized action plan that will keep them on track for the school
year.
Our local community provides a wealth of resources that the Campus Coordinators are able to
access in order to meet the needs of the students. Our Campus Coordinators regularly meet with
the students to assess their progress and determine new needs. If a student is referred to CIS
for vision problems, the Campus Coordinator is able to set up a free eye appointment, provide
transportation assistance, and then determine if the student needs assistance with accessing
healthcare. Our model focuses on a holistic approach on needs that are beyond the surface.
Communities In Schools – Bay Area works in 15 Clear Creek and Dickinson ISD schools where
students are most at-risk of dropping out. Our mission is to surround students with a community of
support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. We put students on a path of success
through graduation and beyond! For more information, please visit www.CISBA.org or
www.facebook.com/cisbayarea.
MOMENTUM / August 2016
19