Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
RESOURCES, RELATIONSHIPS, OPPORTUNITIES
Chicago’s young people are talented, creative, and full of potential. They are the future of this city. But too many face barriers on their path to graduation. Communities In Schools of Chicago helps young people overcome those barriers by providing the resources and relationships they need to succeed. What happens when a young person has support from CIS? We asked them.
CIS ADVANCES YOUNG PEOPLE'S ECONOMIC MOBILITY
When CIS is present in schools, students do better academically, they are more likely to graduate and enroll in college, and they have higher earnings as adults. These proven outcomes change the trajectories of young people and reduce the risk of poverty.
Through resource connection and one-on-one support, CIS of Chicago empowers students to succeed – in school and beyond.
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.
Thanks to The Northern Trust Foundation in partnership with the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, our team is able to deepen our support of Chicago's students this coming school year!
Because of this partnership, CIS of Chicago is able to ensure that in select schools, young people have a trained mental health professional supporting them directly.
We appreciate their investment in CIS and our shared commitment to empowering young people to achieve in school and in life. ... See MoreSee Less
In the 2025-26 school year, CIS of Chicago partnered with 16 companies to provide unique career experiences for students!
Known as 'Inspiring Futures,' these opportunities take students out of the classroom and allow them to explore work environments, meet with professionals, discuss their career goals, and learn about potential career pathways.
Shout-out to all of the organizations that hosted our students in 2025-26 and to our Manager of Corporate Relations Faith for coordinating! Here are some photos from the most recent Inspiring Futures at NBC Chicago, DLA Piper, and ComEd: ... See MoreSee Less
𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗜𝗦 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀.
Outside of getting students off campus for a bit, why are these experiences so beneficial for their learning and development? And why are teachers and school leaders requesting these more?
We chatted with our Senior Arts & Culture Partnership Specialist Katia Marzolf Borione about these opportunities in our latest story.
Link here: www.cisofchicago.org/field-trips-priority/ ... See MoreSee Less
200 CIS students on the West Side participated in SEL Day this spring, led by our Senior Student Supports Manager Diamond Howard.
SEL Day provided students with an opportunity to invest in their self-care, grow in their social and emotional skills, and connect with community organizations from across the city.
Students had access to 23 CIS community partners! And they participated in activities that rejuvenated them before the final weeks of the school year. Way to go, Diamond! And shout-out to our other CIS team members who supported SEL Day. ... See MoreSee Less
Each year, CIS of Chicago recognizes one school partner and one community partner who went above and beyond over the course of the school year to support student success. We celebrate these partners -- and our entire network of schools and community organizations -- at an end-of-year appreciation event.
This year, we gathered at Ovation Chicago and recognized guidance counselor Kimberly Scott at Ronald Brown Academy and Cradles to Crayons Chicago as our Spirit of Giving award winners.
Some highlights about our winners...
🌟 Over the past two years, Ms. Scott has connected 30 programs to her school from CIS' network. She said, “By connecting us with essential resources, vibrant programs in the arts, and memorable field trips and events, CIS ensures our students have the well-rounded, inspiring educational experience they deserve."
🌟 During the event, Cradles to Crayons shared a framed copy of their first packing order in 2016, which was for CIS of Chicago. It consisted of clothing, a hygiene kit, and a school uniform. With CIS as a valued partner, Cradles to Crayons has grown in their ability to meet students' and families' essential needs.
Learn more here: www.cisofchicago.org/partners/partner-recognition/ ... See MoreSee Less
Is it time for a mid-afternoon movement break??
Thanks to CIS' network of community partners, Chicago students have access to programs and resources that support their physical, emotional, and social development.
These programs teach young people new skills and ways to regulate their emotions, and they provide opportunities to build connections with others -- all in the school building.
Here were some movement opportunities throughout the year at CIS schools. ... See MoreSee Less
Our Student Supports Managers lead student groups based on the needs of their school and its young people.
Here are some snapshots from of our team member, Ms. Wozniak, with her students during one of their lunch groups. These are spaces where students can discuss challenges they are facing, share successes they are having, and build relationships with their peers. ... See MoreSee Less
Relationships, impact, social justice, and integrity are CIS' core values, but in order for us to bring these values to life and best support Chicago's young people, our team needs the resources and tools.
Thanks to a grant from the Hinsdale Junior Woman's Club, our team now has funds for new laptops and printers for staff. We are so grateful for your support and partnership, Hinsdale Junior Woman's Club!
Our own Faith Fox attended the grant award ceremony. ... See MoreSee Less
We're so proud of our 2026 Do the Write Thing ambassador, Damiya!
Not only was she selected as this year's Chicago representative to attend the National Summit in Washington, DC. Her important, poignant poem was heard across the city.
Damiya and our own Robin Koelsch participated in interviews with WGN TV, CBS Chicago, and NBC Chicago, and Damiya shared her ideas around the causes of and solutions to youth violence.
If you haven't had the chance yet to read her work, visit www.cisofchicago.org/chicagos-2026-finalists/ or watch her three media interviews at www.cisofchicago.org/dtwt-news-and-media/
Way to go, Damiya! ... See MoreSee Less
The relationships that our team develops with young people are foundational to our work. They are positive, impactful, and lasting.
Recently, a former student of Ms. Herrera's came to visit her after he graduated from high school -- and he has big plans for the future! Ms. Herrera was there for his graduation from eighth grade. ... See MoreSee Less
𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 — 𝘢𝘥𝘫. Extremely determined, persistent, and unwilling to give up or let go. Someone who holds fast to a goal, even when facing significant difficulties.
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At the end of every school year, our CIS team recognizes young people who were tenacious. They set strong goals with our CIS Student Supports Managers, and they worked hard to make progress on those goals — all in an effort to stay in school and gain lifelong skills.
This spring, we celebrate one student at each of our Intensive sites with a Tenacity Award. We recognize them for persevering and achieving their goals, and we celebrate them, along with their friends, family, and school support system. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀!
Here are some photos of recent Tenacity Award celebrations across our partner schools: ... See MoreSee Less
"We need you. You allow kids to talk about everything, all of their struggles."
"You help us find other resources outside of school in the same ways we need it in school."
"You actually take your time with other kids and give them a moment to just breathe."
"Knowing I got somebody in school I can talk to about anything means a lot to me."
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We asked some of our students why it's important to have somebody from CIS in their school, and we were struck by the impact of our work, not only across the city, but for each and every young person we support.
Watch our new video featuring our students here!
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