Kristin Garner

Senior Vice President of External Affairs

Join us on Sunday, November 10th from 5:30-7pm for our 4th Annual Illuminate!

Gather with us for an evening of luminary displays, student performances, a free community dinner, and interactive CIS experiences led by local Site Coordinators. Illuminate 2024 is proudly presented by Southern Tide!

Event Locations:

📍 Charleston Burke High School

📍 Columbia State House Steps

📍 Greenville Carolina High School

Learn more and light a luminary here.

Seeking new Family & Student Advisory Board members!

Last school year, we launched our first-ever Student and Family Advisory Boards, creating an additional space for students and families to voice what's important to them and shape the future of our programming.

Now we're looking for new members to participate in our second cohort! Are you a parent/guardian of a CIS student or a current CIS high schooler? We're accepting applications for this year’s boards!

🔗 Student Advisory Board Application

🔗 Family Advisory Board Application

Next Stop: Affirmation Station

"Your positive energy is contagious!" ❤️

"You inspire me to keep trying my best!" 💛

"Your kindness lifts others up!" 💙

The CIS team at St. Andrews Middle School launched an Affirmation Station for World Mental Health Day, offering students a meaningful way to celebrate and support one another by sharing affirmations with classmates and teachers. This activity reminds students that prioritizing mental health starts with kindness and connection.

A big shoutout to AmeriCorps Student Support Coaches Teryn Thibodeau, Tashawna Walker-Miller, and Site Coordinator Destiny Bryant for organizing this meaningful project where students see how their positivity brightens the school!

We're hiring! Join our team as the Senior Director of Finance!

Are you a finance leader passionate about impactful work? We’re looking for a Senior Director of Finance to oversee accounting, budget planning, forecasting, and financial operations.

This role is essential for ensuring our commitment to sound fiscal stewardship and regulatory compliance, supporting our mission to serve students and families across South Carolina.

If you're ready to make a difference with your expertise, apply today!

Crowned! 👑

Congratulations to Clarence and Jada for being crowned Homecoming Prince and Princess at St. John's High School this month!

Their Site Coordinators (past: Miracle Mozzee; present: Donta' Brown and Steven Jeffcoat) speak so highly of Clarence and Jada, praising them as hardworking, dedicated students who consistently make the A/B honor roll and lead by example.

With the right support and encouragement, students can achieve anything, and these two prove that every day!

“Our AmeriCorps Student Support Coaches are an invaluable part of our team, helping us bridge gaps and provide critical support to students. They make a real difference with their energy, commitment, and heart.” – Lee McLeod, CIS AmeriCorps Program Director

Spotlighting our Partnership with AmeriCorps

This national service program connects members with community organizations to make an impact nationwide. Through the CIS AmeriCorps Program, we place dedicated Student Support Coaches in our schools to further extend our support to students and families, ensuring that every child has access to the resources and personalized support they need to thrive.

This year, 11 AmeriCorps members are working across nine schools, serving students in essential areas like credit recovery, mentoring, academic assistance, and behavioral support. Their hands-on involvement helps us enhance the CIS model by providing tailored support and fostering meaningful relationships with students who benefit from it most. Here’s where our current AmeriCorps members are making an impact alongside Site Coordinators:

Herbert A. Wood Elementary School – Toshiya Gaddis and Genesis Ragland

Horrell Hill Elementary School – Shanna Brown

North Charleston High School – Sade Major

North District Middle School – Tyron O'Banner Jr.

Pine Ridge Middle School – Jada White

Sandel Elementary School – Kyree Huggins

Sedgefield Middle School – Shakira Howard

St. Andrews Middle School – Teryn Thibodeau and Tashawna Walker-Miller

Southeast Middle School – Harold Goethe III

Thank you, AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps members, for helping us light the path to brighter futures!

CIS Alum and Site Coordinator, Miracle Mozzee, recognized nationally as this year's Distinguished Service Alumnus!

Miracle was honored with the Distinguished Service Alumni Award at the Communities In Schools Leadership Town Hall Conference in Dallas, Texas, on September 20th!

In addition to her incredible work as a CIS Site Coordinator, Miracle gives back to her community in many ways, including through her nonprofit, Charles House, where she advocates for the rights of tenants experiencing housing issues in Charleston. She’s a true champion for change!

Watch the video above to hear from Miracle or click here to read more.

Tour or Volunteer at Southern Living's Idea House for a Cause

We're honored to be one of three organizations benefiting from this year's Idea House in Kiawah River. The Idea House is open to the public for tours now through December 22, Thursday through Sunday. 

Volunteering is also a great way to explore the home and support us here at Communities In Schools, the Emanuel Nine Memorial, and Sea Island Habitat for Humanity.

🎟️ Buy house tour tickets here.

❤️ Learn more and register to volunteer here.