Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
BEING PRESENT MATTERS IN CHICAGO
As the challenges facing our students have increased, so has the need for Communities In Schools (CIS) of Chicago.
Because of CIS, students are more likely to come to school, stay in school, do better academically, and ultimately, graduate, prepared for continued success.
Testimony from principals, teachers, community organizations, and students continues to verify that the work we do matters.
Impact In Our Community
Chicago public-school students benefited from programs and services provided by or connected through CIS of Chicago.*
students in grades K-12 were served by CIS Student Supports Managers. They created plans to develop the skills and access the resources they need to succeed in school.*
schools were served by CIS of Chicago. Our team connected schools with community programs that addressed their unique needs.*
*Data from the 2024-25 school year
PROVIDING HOLISTIC SUPPORT
Chicago students and their families have endured unprecedented challenges since the start of the decade. Systemic challenges like poverty, community violence, and lack of investment have compounded since the pandemic with an increase in youth mental health issues, as well as significant learning loss.
Our team works to ensure that every student, regardless of their identity, ability, or zip code, has access to the resources and opportunity they need to be successful in the classroom and beyond.
𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄, 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.
These sessions, called NAVIGATE, are offered throughout the year and are always a highlight of CIS' partnership.
Last week, we hosted a workshop for community partners focused on professional resilience. During the session, partners gained practical knowledge and tools for recognizing challenges and strengthening their resilience in meaningful, sustainable ways.
Our network of community partners support students and communities, so they often face ongoing emotional demands that can lead to compassion fatigue and burnout. This session focused on practical, evidence-based strategies to manage stress, prevent burnout, and strengthen their capacity to thrive in challenging environments.
Thanks to CAPE Studio, Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education, for serving as our host, and also to our CIS facilitators, Stephanie Estrada and Lo Patrick! ... See MoreSee Less
During the month of February, our CIS school-based team members and our Partnership Specialists focus on supporting students across grades with healthy relationship development.
We were delighted this week to share some of that work with WBBM Newsradio and provide guidance for parents as they support children in developing healthy relationships!
#mentalhealth #healthyrelationships #BeingPresentMatters ... See MoreSee Less
The relationships that our team builds with schools, community organizations, students and families, and counselors like Ms. Ware are foundational to our work.
We believe that strong relationships build strong communities! And as we come together to discuss hard issues affecting our communities, like violence, we can still find joy in coming together to create sustainable change.
Thank you, Ms. Ware, for being such a valued CIS partner -- from your support of our Violence Prevention Catalyst Team to your work connecting CIS resources to your school. We appreciate you! ... See MoreSee Less
𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗴𝗼, 𝘄𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽!
Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders have submitted their writings through the Do the Write Thing challenge and have shared their thoughts on what can be done to reduce youth violence. And we need you!
We are looking for a team of volunteers to score the writings -- no more than an hour of your time.
If you are interested in participating, sign up here: www.cisofchicago.org/volunteer-to-be-a-dtwt-reader/. The deadline to sign up is Monday, February 23.
Here's a snapshot of participating students recognized at last year's dinner. ... See MoreSee Less
Students -- and their teachers -- have been loving the STEM curriculum from our community partner SparkShop! Here are some pictures of student projects from the civil engineering unit, where they used clay, pipe cleaners, and more to design a community area on top of a highway overpass. ... See MoreSee Less
Culturally responsive programs are a top request for CIS schools, and this spring, our team was able to connect a South Side school with a Goodman Theatre arts residency focused on cultural responsiveness.
The Pages Residency teaches students the fundamentals of drama education and has them create and perform their own play. It also explores how theater often reflects things happening in the world and encourages students to imagine a better future.
CIS' Arts and Culture Community Partnership Specialist Katia Marzolf Borione recently observed the program in action! ... See MoreSee Less
☑️ 83,601 Chicago students supported.
☑️ 19,920 families furnished with essential needs items.
☑️ 2,895 community programs and services connected.
☑️ 1,561 students provided with individual support from a CIS team member.
☑️ 239 Chicago Public Schools and 220 community organizations in our partner network.
In the 2024-25 school year, our work at CIS of Chicago had depth and breadth. We deployed our proven programs to support student success. Our team was present, ensuring that students and partners had what they needed to thrive.
𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰-𝟮𝟱? 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲!
Link here: www.cisofchicago.org/annual-report-2024-25/ ... See MoreSee Less
This year, CIS has received more requests from schools for basic needs items -- essentials like hygiene supplies, winter coats, and backpacks that students need as a foundation to their success.
In response, our team is working directly with our Fundamental Needs Partnership Specialist, Jacque, to meet this growing need and connect students with our network of community organizations.
At one of our Southwest Side schools, Jacque worked with our Student Supports Manager, Ms. Herrera, to connect students with new shoes through Soles4Souls! ... See MoreSee Less
Photos from Grimes Elementary School's post ... See MoreSee Less
Thanks to The Pritzker Organization for hosting CIS students yesterday for an Inspiring Futures field trip!
Young people had the chance to learn more about careers there, meet with professionals, and discuss the goals they want to achieve before the end of the school year, as well as their dreams for the future. ... See MoreSee Less
Our Chief Partnership Engagement Officer Robin Koelsch is busy visiting Chicago schools this month, facilitating workshops on Do the Write Thing!
During these workshops, Robin engages with middle-schoolers and shares the power of youth voice through Do the Write Thing, a writing program where young people respond to the call to end youth violence.
𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦! Written submissions are due on January 30.
𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗚𝗢! Do the Write Thing is always looking for readers.
More info here: www.cisofchicago.org/do-the-write-thing/ ... See MoreSee Less
Returning to school after winter break can be a challenge for many students. They often need time to remember the academic and behavioral expectations at school and adjust back to their routine.
Our team at CIS provided support -- before, during, and after winter break -- to help teachers mitigate the "winter slide" and ensure that students had the holistic support they needed to return to school, focused and engaged.
Check out our most recent blog post on the issue! Link here: ... See MoreSee Less
Beyond Academics: How CIS of Chicago Supported Schools, Students, and Families During the "Winter Slide" - Communities In Schools of Chicago
www.cisofchicago.org
To help students maintain a routine over winter break, CIS of Chicago supported schools, students, and families with a multi-faceted approach on avoiding the "winter slide."