Samyrah is one of this year's CIS Tenacity Award winners, and she ended her senior year celebrating all of her accomplishments throughout high school. We're so proud of her.
Seventh grader Jade recently returned from representing Chicago at Do The Write Thing's National Summit, and this week, she had the opportunity to chat about her experience with WBBM Newsradio.
Jade's essay was chosen from more than 800 local submissions, and her writing shared ways that the city's young people are forced to navigate violence from an early age.
"I believe that when young people feel heard, safe and supported, they make better choices," Jade said in the interview. "Chicago has so many amazing kids with big dreams. They just need someone to believe in them and to protect them."
Our CIS team is proud to serve as a Do The Write Thing co-sponsor and provide opportunities for Chicago youth to share their perspective on such an important issue.
"This program is an opportunity for us to really elevate student voices and amplify what our young people are saying and recognize them as the experts of their communities," said Robin Koelsch, CIS' Chief Partnership Engagement Officer. ... See MoreSee Less
WBBM’s Carolina Garibay chats with 12-year-old Jade Lee, who recently won a national essay contest about youth violence. She wrote about the impacts of being forced to face violence at such a young ...
We couldn’t be prouder of Jade, our Chicago "Do The Write Thing" Challenge 2025 ambassador, who spent this week visiting our nation’s capital and sharing her thoughts and ideas on violence reduction with Chicago legislators.
As a Do the Write Thing ambassador, Jade traveled to DC, along with her support system and CIS’ Chief Partnership Engagement Officer Robin Koelsch to attend the national Summit.
During the trip, Jade’s Do the Write Thing essay was added to the Library of Congress, the country’s largest library! 🖊️ ... See MoreSee Less
Congrats are in order for Sophie, one of this year’s CIS Tenacity Award winners! 🎊
Sophie worked directly with our Student Supports Manager Jackie on improving her communication skills, advocating for her needs at school, and building trust. Sophie ended the school year demonstrating strength and vulnerability in her words and actions, Jackie said.
Our team had a great time participating in the Chicago Public Schools Partner Expo yesterday!
We built relationships, shared info about our program impact, and saw some familiar faces, including several organizations in our community partner network.
𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗴𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀? We're hiring changemakers to join us in empowering the city's young people to explore their interests, envision their future, and achieve their goals. Apply now or share with your network!
Our current open positions include: --Behavioral and Mental Health Partnership Specialist --College and Career Partnership Specialist --Student Supports Manager, South Side Schools
End-of-year celebrations are the perfect time to reflect on all the progress made, recognize the journey to get there, and celebrate all the good things to come!
Last month, one of our Tenacity Award winners, Aleida, celebrated her success along with her sisters and her CIS Student Supports Manager Lali. Aleida said she felt good receiving the award and knowing there was someone who noticed the progress she made. 🎉 ... See MoreSee Less
Last month, a few of our team members had the opportunity to participate in the Anti-Violence Youth Committee’s Annual Peace March at one of our Intensive schools on the West Side.
During the peace march, students shared their inspiring reasons for marching — caring for people in their community, keeping each other safe to prevent violence, and encouraging change! ... See MoreSee Less
Shout-out to Caleb, a fifth grader who worked with our Student Supports Manager Marissa on ways to stay focused in class and ended the school year with tremendous growth!
Caleb met weekly with Marissa to reflect on his goals and showed dedication to making progress and staying on task.
Marissa celebrated Caleb at the end of the year with a CIS Tenacity Award, and she looks forward to seeing him continue to learn, grow, and succeed next year. Way to go, Caleb! 🎉 ... See MoreSee Less
𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗡: 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀! 𝗪𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀! CIS of Chicago has been chosen as a Target Circle nonprofit partner!
Each quarter, Target chooses local nonprofit organizations for community members to cast votes and support. Thanks to a community nomination, CIS of Chicago is eligible for voting starting this month.
Kameron is one of our CIS Tenacity Award winners this year who made huge progress with his grades. Kameron worked with our Student Supports Manager, Jacob, on his emotional regulation, positive decision-making skills, and asking for help when needed.
He also participated actively in Jacob’s boys’ group, where he learned new skills and built connections with his peers. ... See MoreSee Less
Our team was thrilled to be present at graduation celebrations across the city this month and celebrate this amazing class and their many accomplishments. This is just the beginning!
Way to go, Samyrah! 🎉
Samyrah is one of this year's CIS Tenacity Award winners, and she ended her senior year celebrating all of her accomplishments throughout high school. We're so proud of her.
To learn more about CIS of Chicago's annual Tenacity Award celebrations and how our school-based team members support students throughout their educational journey, visit www.cisofchicago.org/programs/tenacity-awards/ ... See MoreSee Less
Seventh grader Jade recently returned from representing Chicago at Do The Write Thing's National Summit, and this week, she had the opportunity to chat about her experience with WBBM Newsradio.
Check out the full story here: www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news/local/chicago-student-recognized-for-essay-on-youth-violence
Jade's essay was chosen from more than 800 local submissions, and her writing shared ways that the city's young people are forced to navigate violence from an early age.
"I believe that when young people feel heard, safe and supported, they make better choices," Jade said in the interview. "Chicago has so many amazing kids with big dreams. They just need someone to believe in them and to protect them."
Our CIS team is proud to serve as a Do The Write Thing co-sponsor and provide opportunities for Chicago youth to share their perspective on such an important issue.
"This program is an opportunity for us to really elevate student voices and amplify what our young people are saying and recognize them as the experts of their communities," said Robin Koelsch, CIS' Chief Partnership Engagement Officer. ... See MoreSee Less
Chicago middle schooler recognized nationally for winning essay on youth violence
www.audacy.com
WBBM’s Carolina Garibay chats with 12-year-old Jade Lee, who recently won a national essay contest about youth violence. She wrote about the impacts of being forced to face violence at such a young ...We couldn’t be prouder of Jade, our Chicago "Do The Write Thing" Challenge 2025 ambassador, who spent this week visiting our nation’s capital and sharing her thoughts and ideas on violence reduction with Chicago legislators.
As a Do the Write Thing ambassador, Jade traveled to DC, along with her support system and CIS’ Chief Partnership Engagement Officer Robin Koelsch to attend the national Summit.
During the trip, Jade’s Do the Write Thing essay was added to the Library of Congress, the country’s largest library! 🖊️ ... See MoreSee Less
Congrats are in order for Sophie, one of this year’s CIS Tenacity Award winners! 🎊
Sophie worked directly with our Student Supports Manager Jackie on improving her communication skills, advocating for her needs at school, and building trust. Sophie ended the school year demonstrating strength and vulnerability in her words and actions, Jackie said.
Way to go, Sophie! ... See MoreSee Less
Our team had a great time participating in the Chicago Public Schools Partner Expo yesterday!
We built relationships, shared info about our program impact, and saw some familiar faces, including several organizations in our community partner network.
Chicago Run
Imagination Theater
The Joffrey Ballet
Goodman Theatre
Wellness4Every1 ... See MoreSee Less
𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗴𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀?
We're hiring changemakers to join us in empowering the city's young people to explore their interests, envision their future, and achieve their goals. Apply now or share with your network!
Our current open positions include:
--Behavioral and Mental Health Partnership Specialist
--College and Career Partnership Specialist
--Student Supports Manager, South Side Schools
Interested in learning more? Visit cisofchicago.applicantpro.com/jobs/ ... See MoreSee Less
End-of-year celebrations are the perfect time to reflect on all the progress made, recognize the journey to get there, and celebrate all the good things to come!
Last month, one of our Tenacity Award winners, Aleida, celebrated her success along with her sisters and her CIS Student Supports Manager Lali. Aleida said she felt good receiving the award and knowing there was someone who noticed the progress she made. 🎉 ... See MoreSee Less
Last month, a few of our team members had the opportunity to participate in the Anti-Violence Youth Committee’s Annual Peace March at one of our Intensive schools on the West Side.
During the peace march, students shared their inspiring reasons for marching — caring for people in their community, keeping each other safe to prevent violence, and encouraging change! ... See MoreSee Less
Shout-out to Caleb, a fifth grader who worked with our Student Supports Manager Marissa on ways to stay focused in class and ended the school year with tremendous growth!
Caleb met weekly with Marissa to reflect on his goals and showed dedication to making progress and staying on task.
Marissa celebrated Caleb at the end of the year with a CIS Tenacity Award, and she looks forward to seeing him continue to learn, grow, and succeed next year. Way to go, Caleb! 🎉 ... See MoreSee Less
𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗡: 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀! 𝗪𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀! CIS of Chicago has been chosen as a Target Circle nonprofit partner!
Each quarter, Target chooses local nonprofit organizations for community members to cast votes and support. Thanks to a community nomination, CIS of Chicago is eligible for voting starting this month.
Please visit www.target.com/circle/community-voting or follow the video directions below to vote for us! ... See MoreSee Less
Go, Kameron! 🎉
Kameron is one of our CIS Tenacity Award winners this year who made huge progress with his grades. Kameron worked with our Student Supports Manager, Jacob, on his emotional regulation, positive decision-making skills, and asking for help when needed.
He also participated actively in Jacob’s boys’ group, where he learned new skills and built connections with his peers. ... See MoreSee Less
Congrats to the Class of 2025!! 🎓
Our team was thrilled to be present at graduation celebrations across the city this month and celebrate this amazing class and their many accomplishments. This is just the beginning!
#beingpresentmatters #AllinforKids ... See MoreSee Less