Happy Holidays from Communities In Schools of Tennessee! We recently gathered our regional teams to celebrate and reflect on the end of the year. Thank you for all of your support this year, and here's to a great 2025!

What's ahead in our December newsletter:

• Check out our 2023-2024 Annual Report
• Meet Kelley, one of our program managers, and her former student, CJ
• Partner Spotlight: Thank you, East Tennessee Foundation!
• Stories from our schools
• Save the Date: Join us on January 22 for a site visit and February 27 for Bingo + Bourbon!
• Upcoming volunteer opportunities

Our new annual report captures the highlights of the 2023-24 school year, including:

• A recap of the year from our CEO, Meredith Benton

• An overview of the students we serve

• Data highlighting the progress our case-managed students made this year

• Stories from our incredible students and partner schools

• Thank you to our donors, school partners, and the many others who helped make the 2023-24 school year such a success.

#BeingPresentMatters

Here are just a few examples of how our Program Managers are making an impact by being present for our students across the state.

Confidence in Every Strand

Many KIPP Kirkpatrick students lacked access to hair supplies and often felt self-conscious about their appearance. Our program manager created a collection of hair products and accessories, allowing students to style their hair with her help if needed. Teachers have noted improvements in students’ confidence and behavior, including a case-managed first-grader whose self-esteem blossomed after receiving a styled look with supplies she chose herself.

Paragon Prize Wheel



At Paragon Mills, our program manager has turned attendance into a fun and rewarding experience! Paragon Mills students earn stamps on punch cards for each day they show up—no need for consecutive days, just celebrating their presence. After ten stamps, they spin a prize wheel, with the crowd-favorite reward being Library Game Time on Fridays, where they pick a friend, head to the library, and enjoy board games to end the week on a high note!

Bright Path Forward

With support from his CIS program manager, Allen, a talented basketball player and student at Lake County High School, has turned his life around while navigating the pressures of becoming a teen father. With renewed confidence and determination, Allen has improved his grades and attendance. He is thriving on the basketball court, rebuilding relationships, and actively contributing to his school community by organizing attendance incentives and teacher appreciation rewards.

The East Tennessee Foundation has directly supported our three schools in Cocke and Hancock counties since 2022. When the region was hit by damaging floods this fall, the Foundation immediately began raising support for flood victims through their Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund.

In November, we were awarded a grant to support our students and families who have been impacted or displaced because of the floods. The funds provided immediate and short-term support through clothes, hygiene supplies, and funds for temporary housing. In addition, the East Tennessee Foundation is committed to the long-term support of assisting our families with furnishings, utilities, and other essentials as they transition back into permanent housing.

If you’d prefer to roll up your sleeves and donate your time, we have a number of upcoming volunteer needs. Whether you are looking for a one-time, school-specific project or to become a weekly reading buddy or lunch buddy, we very likely have an opportunity that fits your needs.

Regardless of how you might choose to get involved, we truly appreciate your support and interest in our work. For more information on how you can get involved, please email Kennedy Wallace at kwallace@cistn.org.