Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
Providing Holistic Support
Chicago’s public-school students and their families have endured unprecedented challenges since the start of the decade. A global pandemic, increased violence, and rising economic insecurity have taken a significant toll on our schools. The U.S. Surgeon General recently named mental health as an area of serious concern for today’s youth and issued a call to action for all caring adults.
Communities In Schools (CIS) of Chicago responds to these challenges by ensuring that students have access to the supports they need to strengthen their mental health and overall wellbeing. Our team does this by providing direct services to individual students, as well as coordinating the supports provided by community partners, to bolster entire school communities. Through all this work, CIS of Chicago empowers students to feel safe and secure, unlock their potential, and ultimately achieve in school and life.
Impact In Our Community
Chicago Public Schools students benefited from programs and services provided by or connected through CIS of Chicago.*
students in grades K-12 were served by Student Supports Managers. Together, they created a plan to develop the skills and access the resources these students need to reach their full potential.*
schools were served by CIS team members, who linked community partner programming that addressed student and school needs.*
*Data from the 2021-22 school year
Latest News
Fox 32: 500 Winter Coats Distributed to Chicago Families in Need
CIS’ Partnership Team, in collaboration with Macy’s and Soles4Souls, helped meet the fundamental needs of students and families this winter season. They hosted an event
Chalkbeat: Chicago Schools Attendance Continued to Decline Last Year
“Attendance is always a priority for schools, but even more so now.” CIS of Chicago’s Senior Director of Intensive Student Supports, Shipra Panicker, and our Senior
WBBM Newsradio: Volunteer Network Helping CPS Provide Tutoring, Arts Education, and Counseling
To meet the growing needs of schools and students, CIS’ Partnership Team leverages the power of community resources and connects programs and resources directly to
Schools in CIS' partner network have access to the programs, resources, and supports provided by over 200 community organizations!
Just this month, Parker Elementary received 2,000 books from the University of Chicago Lab School, a connection through CIS of Chicago, and the principal already has quite a few plans on how the books will be used. The students look excited as well.
Thanks to CIS School Partnership Specialist Dan for capturing these pics! ... See MoreSee Less
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S/O to our Partnership Team! They’re working hard this winter season to make sure that students and families have what they need to thrive. Just last week, the team partnered up with @macys and @soles4souls to distribute more than 500 new coats to folks in Lawndale.
This holiday season, we are grateful for our team members and our community, who come together in creative ways to support each other. #allinforkids ... See MoreSee Less
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500 coats given out to CPS families by local nonprofit ... See MoreSee Less
500 coats given out to CPS families by local nonprofit
www.audacy.com
Chicago Public Schools students from nine different locations and their families came to North Lawndale Christian Health Center on Wednesday afternoon to pick out new winter coats at a drive organized...Comment on Facebook
Thanks to the support of CIS' Karen Roddie, our Associate Director of Community Partnerships, students from Randolph Elementary experienced an engaging field trip to the National Indo American Museum!
The students were immersed in cultural activities like Indian dance, storytelling, and food, and according to CIS' Student Supports Manager LaToya, who is based at Randolph, "The children enjoyed it and were engaged throughout the performance and presentation."
We're looking forward to another CIS partner, Palmer Elementary, experience the program later this week. ... See MoreSee Less
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Our CIS Partnership Team listens to the needs of school partners, and they take action!
When Health Partnership Specialist Mary heard an increase in vision voucher requests, she communicated the need with our community partner and was able to receive even more vision vouchers this year.
Here she is getting vision vouchers out in the mail to schools. Way to go, Mary! #AllinforKids ... See MoreSee Less
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This week, CIS School Partnership Specialist Jill attended a ribbon cutting ceremony at Mays Academy, one of our school partners in Englewood! Jill joined them in celebrating their new playground.
We were delighted to share in the celebration at Mays and are thrilled for the school community there. #AllinforKids ... See MoreSee Less
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CIS community partners address a range of student and family needs, including their health and wellness!
One CIS community partner, University of Illinois Extension, facilitates a cooking club for students and demonstrates how to make healthy and delicious recipes at home. Recently, the club made a fried rice recipe that students loved! ... See MoreSee Less
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Thanks, Delta Dental of Illinois, for showing our students at Saucedo Elementary the importance of good oral health habits! The Pre-K through third-graders loved your Land of Smiles program. ... See MoreSee Less
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We love to see these connections happening for our students! #AllinforKids #partnership ... See MoreSee Less
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CIS' school-based staff find new and exciting ways to engage young people.
Here's an example of an activity that a CIS Student Supports Manager found on TikTok, which required students to follow directions without asking any questions.
The students were all given a sheet of paper taped to their backs and lined up, markers in hand. The first person in the line drew a stick figure, and each student had to follow the drawing without asking any questions or seeing what the drawing looked like.
This activity helped the students break the ice and learn about trust! #AllinforKids ... See MoreSee Less
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We're so proud of the CIS students who participated in the Peace March at Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy! Our young people have powerful voices -- sharing messages more important than ever -- and we are feeling inspired and hopeful.
#AllinforKids ... See MoreSee Less
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❤️🕊
The transition between elementary school and high school can be a difficult one, but thanks to Brian, CIS' Freshmen Rising Coordinator, students at five Chicago high schools have the support they need to adjust to the high school setting and stay on track to graduate.
Brian provides students with weekly small-group support, monthly individual goal check-ins, and case management. He also shares resources and updates with parents.
#AllinforKids ... See MoreSee Less
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