Senior Spotlights and More Good News from CIS

GOOD NEWS FROM CIS l SPRING 2021

Save the Date - Dine Out For Kids^® is BACK for 2021!

Dine Out For Kids^®

Tuesday, June 22

After having to cancel the event last year, we are excited to announce that Dine Out For Kids^® is BACK for 2021! This family-friendly event is such a fun and easy way to support Communities In Schools - and this year, the event's purpose is especially meaningful.

Dine Out For Kids^® is an opportunity to come together as a community to support two groups that have been heavily impacted by the pandemic – children in our public schools, and our local restaurants. So please, mark your calendar and make plans to Dine Out For Kids^® on June 22! Click here to see a list of participating restaurants to date - more to come!

Park, Stride & Stroll! Celebrating the Class of 2021

Celebrating our Class of 2021 Scholarship Recipients

Thursday, May 17 was a beautiful evening to "Park, Stride, and Stroll!" Our high school team hosted an event in honor of our graduating seniors who are receiving college scholarship funds through CIS. Held outside at the Mint Museum on Randolph Road for graduates and their parents, it was exciting for everyone, especially as it was the first "in-person" event CIS has held in more than a year! We are SO proud of these graduates receiving scholarships, and of the entire Class of 2021 grads who persevered through this challenging year and never gave up!

More photos from Park, Stride and Stroll can be seen on our Instagram page

Senior Spotlights: The Class of 2021

Please meet two outstanding CIS graduates in the Class of 2021, Efuru Cole-Brewer and Dumaji Dubose. We are incredibly proud of Efuru and Dumaji, but also proud of each and every one of the 630 CIS seniors graduating next week. This school year was definitely "one for the history books," and every senior receiving a diploma is to be commended and celebrated. Here's to the Class of 2021!

Efuru Cole-Brewer

Efuru Cole-Brewer is known amongst her peers as “Efuru the Guru” because she is so knowledgeable about so many things – she is their “go-to person” when needing advice. Others describe Efuru as creative, intelligent, and just an all-around impressive person. Read More

Demaji Dubose

When Demaji Dubose entered West Charlotte High School four years ago, he never dreamed he would have to overcome a global pandemic and navigate his junior and senior years online. Now, the soon-to-be CIS graduate is on his way to Mars Hill University in North Carolina to study Business Administration in the fall. Read More

CIS #GOBEYOND Campaign on Instagram

It's not only graduating seniors who should be recognized for persevering through this school year, but students of all ages. All students had to adjust and overcome significant obstacles that COVID and the virtual learning environment placed on them. That's why we'll be featuring students of all ages in our #GOBEYOND campaign on Instagram in June. Please check out our Instagram page to meet CIS students who have gone ABOVE and BEYOND this school year to succeed! (Click on Alani's photo to read his story.)

"Going Back to 'Normal' is Not an Option"

CIS calls for renewed focus on racial justice and systemic change in America

One year ago today, the world held its breath as we witnessed an act of violence that seemed to shift our collective tolerance for racism, hate, and injustice. The impact of that moment is still being felt today and it reinforces Communities In Schools' commitment to provide holistic support for our students and improve their chances for success. In the months since George Floyd’s death, there have been strides in the fight against inequity and inequality, but the work – our work to eliminate systemic barriers – will continue to ensure that no child is left behind.

In April of this year, on the day after the verdict in the Derek Chauvin murder trial, Communities In Schools released this Statement, and this "Movement for Change" video (below). Please join with Communities In Schools to continue the fight and advocate for change. As stated in the video, "Going back to 'normal' is not an option." And our children deserve nothing less.

Communities In Schools Leads Education Change

CIS-Charlotte Annual Report, FY 2020

We are proud to share our FY 2019-20 Annual Report. It was certainly an unprecedented year on so many levels for everyone. The Report focuses on our response to the pandemic and how our staff pivoted and adapted to meet the critical needs of our students and families. We are also grateful to the many donors and partners who generously continued their support and commitment to our organization during this challenging year.

Volunteer Spotlight: First and Ten Team Mentoring

Bruns Avenue Elementary School

Whether you are a football fan or not, you can’t help but be a fan of the “First and Ten Team Mentoring” group that volunteers through CIS at Bruns Avenue Elementary! Since 2018, this group of six volunteers, led by Oliver and Anita Spencer, have mentored a group of fourth grade boys enrolled in CIS at Bruns. And the kids love it! Read More