This fall, CIS of Chicago deepened its commitment to connecting schools with essential community programs and resources. For nearly a decade, CIS has hosted a special event called the Resource Fair.
The Resource Fair provides a space for the schools is CIS’ network to discover community programs they can take advantage of – and it provides the organizations with a space to connect with CIS schools needing their resources.
This year’s Resource Fair brought together attendees from 150 Chicago public schools and 43 community organizations.
Organizations represented a variety of opportunities for CIS schools – tutoring support, STEM programs, art and dance programs, counseling resources, physical activities, and more. Educators in attendance had the chance to learn more about what each organization offered and schedule programs that met their needs.
The Resource Fair is the perfect example of CIS’ belief in the power of relationships. Our team knows that when individuals from across the city can connect with each other and deepen their relationships, our communities are strengthened, and our young people are better served.
CIS school partners agreed that the Resource Fair allowed them to better address student needs.
“We’re a proud CIS partner,” said Mary Mekstan, Dean of Students at Mansueto High School. “We’re so thankful for the community organizations here supporting our most vulnerable students. Our students deserve it and need these programs.”
“Our students come to us with a lot of needs, and it takes a village,” said Erica Proffit, counselor at O’Keeffe School of Excellence. “We need as many resources and hands on deck to help our students become the best that they can be.”
At the Resource Fair, Ms. Mekstan connected with services that supported bilingual education, and Ms. Proffit connected with mental health resources and academic enrichment for her school community.
CIS community partners said that having in-person conversations with school leaders helped strengthen their programs.
“It’s an invaluable resource for meeting face-to-face with educators that allows for impromptu, organic conversations,” one partner said. “Providing us the opportunity to talk to educators and administrators and learn their interests, needs, and hurdles for the academic year has always helped our organization shape and alter our programming as needed,” another added.
Though the Resource Fair is over, CIS’ team is working throughout the school year to meet student needs. Our Partnership Specialists are leaning into their relationships across schools and community organizations to ensure that the supports we connect are tailored and impactful.
