Dear Friends,
It has been one month since our entire Communities In Schools of Central Texas team transitioned to remote work. Schools are closed, but we are not. The connection and support we provide to students and families is more important than ever.
School-based CIS staff members traditionally provide case management for students on the school campus, and bring outside resources into schools. We are now, however, reaching beyond school walls to provide ongoing supportive services from a distance, helping families to navigate community resource systems during the coronavirus crisis. We are also directly providing emergency financial assistance. Since local schools closed, Communities In Schools of Central Texas has provided
$102,526
to families to be able to buy what they need immediately.
Many Central Texas families are in survival mode during this uncertain period. We hear from parents who have lost their jobs or have had their hours cut. Some don’t have enough money for gas to pick up food that is being distributed, can’t afford hygiene items or cleaning supplies, have been threatened with eviction or have already moved in with relatives. This pandemic has surfaced the inequalities our students and families already face, and has exacerbated many of the difficulties with which low income families must deal..
We continue to rely on our caring community for support. We partnered with Lyft to provide transportation assistance to families, and with University Federal Credit Union for gift cards. A grant from Bank of America will provide for emergency housing assistance, food and hygiene items. A
generous gift from Lynne Dobson and Greg Wooldridge will match all gifts to our CIS COVID-19 Client Assistance Fund dollar for dollar during the month of April.
Individual donors are making additional gifts and sharing the extraordinary need with their friends and colleagues. CIS volunteers are sending students cards and notes of encouragement, and we've started a
reading project
for staff and volunteers to share their favorite books virtually. If you'd like to help, you can
make a donation
to provide basic needs support for CIS students and families.
We will continue to share updates on our website throughout school closures at
ciscentraltexas.org
.
Thank you and be safe.
Suki Steinhauser
Chief Executive Officer
Communities In Schools of Central Texas
