We empower young people to succeed in school and in life
Communities In Schools (CIS) of Chicago is the leading nonprofit in the city dedicated to creating opportunities for all students to thrive.
We support students through two proven programs – one that is focused on connecting resources and one that is focused on supporting individual students. Our programs drive real impact.
This year, our team is partnering with 250 Chicago Public Schools, and our work will positively impact more than 80,000 students.
Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
Our organization accomplishes our mission through two core programs.
connects students at 250 schools with programs provided by a strong network of community partners. Programs address a range of student and family needs, including mental health, art and enrichment, health and wellness, academic support, and access to essential resources.
embeds a CIS of Chicago team member in 40 of our 250 partner schools to provide direct, individualized support to students who need it most. CIS school-based team members meet with students, one-on-one and in groups. They help individual students set goals around their attendance, behavior, grades, or social and emotional skills, and they give students the tools they need to make progress on their goals.
Our vision is to ensure that every public-school student in Chicago graduates from high school prepared to succeed.
Our Core Values
Impact
We know that our programs drive real impact because we have the data to prove it. Studies have shown that 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.
Relationships
We believe in the power of positive and trusting relationships. Relationships are foundational to our work. Our team members build relationships with students and families, school and community partners, supporters, and each other to create sustainable change – together. Ultimately, strong relationships build strong communities.
Social Justice
We believe that every student deserves access to resources and opportunity, regardless of their identity, ability, or zip code. Too many Chicago students face systemic challenges, like poverty, community violence, and lack of investment. These challenges 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 has the critical support and resources they need to be successful in the classroom and beyond.
Integrity
We believe that honesty, transparency, and dependability are keystones to doing good work – and to building trust with our students and families, with our partners, and within our organization. For more than 35 years, CIS of Chicago has served as a steady, consistent presence in schools.
Our History
CIS of Chicago launched in 1988 when business leaders came together to support the city’s young people. When the organization began, it was focused on supporting student success by connecting community-based organizations, hospitals, and universities with schools (the Partnership Program).
In 2009, CIS of Chicago expanded its work with the Intensive Program, which embeds a CIS clinician in a school to provide direct, individualized services to students who need support with their academics, behavior, grades, or social and emotional skill development.