Dear friends and partners,
In 2009, I started my journey with Communities In Schools as a Site Coordinator at a rural school in northern Charleston County. I was driven by a determination to implement the CIS model, form new partnerships, and increase the number of resources available for students and families. From time to time, I find myself reflecting on how collaborative partnerships created numerous first-time experiences for the students I served.
From exploring local beaches, restaurants, and malls to kayaking adventures on Shem Creek, attending plays, and touring downtown Charleston and college campuses – these experiences all left lasting impressions. Collaborative partnerships opened doors to new opportunities, resulting in a higher number of students attending college, often with scholarships.
Today, as I encounter former students in our community or receive their heartfelt calls of gratitude, I am reminded of the enduring impact of our collaborative efforts. From engineers to lawyers, teachers to accountants, computer programmers to entrepreneurs – our rural community has seen its students thrive in diverse fields, despite limited access. This is the power of collaborative partnerships.
When we partner with purpose, we unlock life-changing opportunities for students, families, and entire communities.
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Leondra Stoney
Director of Programming
Lowcountry
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Celebrating Black History Month
We're proud to work with incredible students who aren't just studying history – they're making it!
This month and year-round, we are committed to celebrating and uplifting the achievements of Black students we serve, Black communities and leaders we work with, and Black CISSC team members who bring our mission to life.
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"We managed to package and give away about 200 boxes of food to students and families in the community. I'm forever grateful for everyone who showed up and showed out in helping me conduct an awesome food drive." – Keahja Grant, CIS Site Coordinator at Horrell Hill Elementary |
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Free Community Food Distribution event held at Horrell Hill Elementary
Student outcomes are often predicted by factors other than their academic potential or performance. At CIS, we know the power of community and collaboration in ensuring every child has access to basic needs so they can come to school ready to learn.
This event wouldn't have been possible without our amazing partners at the Humanities Foundation who delivered 3,000 lbs. of food to be distributed. A special shoutout also goes to the Junior League of Columbia, Inc. for sending 20+ volunteers, as well as our dedicated CIS team from across the Midlands for lending a hand!
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Some of our team had the opportunity to chat with CIS Founder, Bill Milliken (pictured above). For more than four decades, CIS has been a pillar of support for students across the country thanks to Bill's visionary leadership.
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Connecting, learning, and leading at the CIS Student Supports Institute
Some of the CISSC team attended the Student Supports Institute in Las Vegas this month. The Institute is tailored to CIS program managers, senior site coordinators, and those supporting site coordinators. We're proud to share that two of our team members led sessions during the Institute. Kelbie Winther, one of our Upstate Directors of Programming, led a training on data-driven decision-making for Program Directors, and Rachelle Hall, our Director of Training and Professional Development, presented a session on Developmental Relationships for site coordinators across the network.
It's inspiring to connect with counterparts from across the nation and delve into actionable strategies on attendance, family engagement, school climate, data culture, and much more!
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North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess visits CIS Program
We had the honor of welcoming North Charleston's Mayor, Reggie Burgess, to North Charleston High School this month. Born and raised in North Charleston, Mayor Burgess has a deep connection to the community. As the first Black chief of police, and now the first Black mayor in North Charleston's history, he brings a wealth of experience and commitment to serving his hometown.
During the visit, Mayor Burgess immersed himself in our program, learning more about our mission and impact. Together, we discussed mission alignment for education and explored ways to further support students' success. Thank you, Mayor Burgess, for your commitment to our community and for taking the time to engage with our team and students at North Charleston High!
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Meet Desmond, a senior at Greenville Early College!
Desmond recently participated in the Great Day of Service organized by his Site Coordinator, Brianna Gratien. He spent his day at Welcome Elementary School, collaborating with students to create posters that answered the question, "How can you show your community love?" Their heartfelt responses were transformed into art displayed at the school.
In addition to his service at Welcome Elementary, Desmond has previously volunteered at a food bank, recognizing the critical issue of food insecurity in the community. For Desmond, giving back isn't just about helping others – it's also about personal fulfillment. He finds joy in knowing that his actions make a positive difference in the lives of those around him.
Desmond believes in the power of stepping out of his comfort zone and embracing growth through new experiences. When asked about his unique gifts, he expressed pride in his ability to connect with others and find common ground, nurturing relationships wherever he goes.
As he prepares for college in the fall, with a couple of acceptance letters already in hand, Desmond's sights are set on studying business or architecture. We can't wait to see the incredible impact he'll continue to make in his future endeavors!
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Meet Keneshia Williams, our Site Coordinator at R.B. Stall High School!
For the past three years, Keneshia has poured her heart into supporting students. As a dedicated Site Coordinator, she's committed to nurturing every student's potential and connecting them to the tools and community resources they need to thrive.
Keneshia is a Johns Island native and graduate of St. Johns High School and HBCU, Claflin University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology. She's also the proud mom of a daughter.
Keneshia's devotion to her work stems from her belief in the power of community and family. "What excites me most about being part of the team is that we are a community ourselves; we are a family," says Keneshia. "It is an honor to serve each student and this school; to be of help no matter how big or small and to watch students grow into the people they worked hard to become."
Keneshia's an invaluable asset to R.B. Stall High School and the CIS team. Join us in celebrating her commitment to student success and making a difference in the lives of those she serves!
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Meet Amy Albert, our Director of Development in the Upstate!
Amy brings a wealth of experience and a passion for relationship-building to our team!
Amy joins us with a diverse background, having previously served as an entrepreneur and as a membership manager at the Greenville Chamber. Four years ago, she made Greenville her home, immersing herself in the community.
For Amy, relationship-building isn't just a job – it's a passion. She thrives on connecting with stakeholders and partners across the Upstate, eager to learn about their stories and build meaningful connections.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Amy recently embraced a new role as a grandmother. As a devoted mom and wife, family holds a special place in her heart, and she cherishes every moment spent with them. Outside of work, you'll often find Amy in her garden, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, or enjoying live music.
We're thrilled to have Amy on our team, bringing her enthusiasm, expertise, and genuine passion for community engagement to our mission.
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"I am thrilled to serve on the Communities In Schools of South Carolina board and eagerly anticipate witnessing the daily impact CISSC makes in students’ lives. Coming from a family of educators, I deeply understand the significance of supportive programming that schools require to help each student thrive in their unique environment. The outcomes that CISSC achieves annually are remarkable, and my greatest aspiration is to expand these services to reach more students in South Carolina." |
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Meet our Board Member, Katherine E. Watts, LMSW, ACM-SW!
Katherine Watts serves as the Director of Medical Social Work at Lexington Medical Center, a 545-bed hospital that anchors a comprehensive healthcare network in West Columbia, South Carolina. In her role, she oversees medical social workers in various areas, including the Emergency Room, the hospital’s inpatient units, and the physician network.
Katherine is a graduate of Gardner-Webb University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology. She obtained a master’s degree in social work from the University of South Carolina. Katherine first joined Lexington Medical Center as an Emergency Room social worker in 2001. She then worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield as a behavioral health supervisor from 2014 to 2015, returning to Lexington Medical Center in 2015 to become the director of Medical Social Work. In her current role, she oversees behavioral health and discharge planning processes and procedures for Lexington Medical Center and the social workers play a vital role in connecting patient to resources throughout the continuum of care.
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Katherine serves as an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina’s College of Social Work. She holds positions on the National board of the American Case Management Association as a Social Work Member-at-Large and a National chapter mentor. She is also a member of the WellPartners Advisory Council. Katherine generously volunteers her time with the University of South Carolina’s College of Social Work, contributing to the Behavioral Health Council and the Student Advisory Council.
We are grateful to have Katherine as a valued member of our board, bringing her wealth of experience and passion for supporting students to our organization.
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Spotlighting our valued partners at Colonial Life
We're proud to partner with organizations like Colonial Life, who share our commitment to supporting communities and transforming lives.
Colonial Life believes in investing in organizations that strengthen our communities, and their Equitable Pathways grant program aligns perfectly with our Integrated Student Supports model. Through this initiative, Colonial Life focuses on increasing high school graduation rates among socio-economically disadvantaged students, ensuring they have the support they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
“We’re committed to partnering with organizations like Communities in Schools that give individuals and families – no matter their race, demographic or socioeconomic status – what they need to thrive," says Alana Stroker, Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility at Colonial Life. "We do this by funding programs that encourage social-emotional health, provide career and post-secondary preparation, and remove barriers to post-secondary success.”
Together with Colonial Life, we're working to create equitable pathways to success for every student. Thank you, Colonial Life, for your dedication to building stronger communities and brighter futures!
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CIS Alumnus Cyril Jefferson: Making History and Leading...
Communities In Schools recently sat down with CIS of High Point Alumnus Cyril Jefferson. In 2023, Cyril achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first man ...
Read more
www.communitiesinschools.org
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