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 2025-26 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.
Violence prevention doesn’t start with systems; it starts with relationships. The first shift from our latest brief calls for every Chicagoan to consider how they can build a positive relationship with a young person.
Don’t have enough time to serve as a mentor? Start with a young person in your neighborhood.
--Learn a young person’s name and interests.
--Offer encouragement.
--Listen without judgment.
--Treat them with dignity and respect.
“Small acts of presence communicate something powerful: you matter, you are supported, and you are not alone,” said Kikanza Harris Scott, Illinois Network of Charter Schools.
Learn more here: www.cisofchicago.org/one-small-shift-brief/ ...
Each year, a top priority for CIS schools are programs that help eliminate bullying, and this year, CIS is partnering with the Caleb Cares Foundation to support this priority.
Caleb Cares, an organization founded by Caleb Williams, has a monthly program where they recognize students who demonstrate kindness, respect, and support for others.
One CIS school who connected with the program this fall is CICS Prairie. Their Dean of Students, Dr. Deonte Tanner, believes that recognizing student success helps create an atmosphere of kindness and belonging, and they have already started recognizing exceptional students.
This month's Caleb Cares Hero Award recipient is fifth grader Kylee. "I'm grateful for my mom and my grandma and friends," Kylee said. "I was just being me, but if they taught me anything, it was to be kind. Be kind to the world and they'll be kind back." Congrats, Kylee! ...
To honor and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, students at one of our West Side schools learned about the history of Guatemalan worry dolls and created their own. ...
Two years ago, a collaborative group of educators, community violence interrupters, parents, students, business leaders, and public safety officials started meeting regularly.
𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴, “𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲?” 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱, “𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴?” They understood that students who feel connected to school experience lower rates of violence, bullying, victimization, and mental health challenges.
After years of talking with students, interviewing community members, examining local research and behavioral science, that group has released a brief called “𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁.”
The brief challenges every reader to consider one simple question: What is one small shift you can make to help a young person feel seen, valued, and like they belong?
Over the next month, our team, along with our colleagues from that collaborative group, will highlight insights from the brief and encourage you to make one small shift!
Link here: www.cisofchicago.org/one-small-shift-brief/
*This report was created by the Violence Prevention Catalyst Team: Communities In Schools of Chicago, Together Chicago, Prismatic, Guitars Over Guns Organization, Henderson Elementary School, PDM Journey Coaching, Helix Education, Illinois Network of Charter Schools, Alice Jordan, BUILD Inc., The Grace Network, Jose Santiago, and Let Go-Be Great. ...
Thanks to The Vistria Group for hosting our students at your offices for an Inspiring Futures field trip!
Students gained exposure to different career types, toured the space, met with professionals there, and reflected on their goals. It was a wonderful learning experience downtown. ...
Did you know our team offers Mental Health First Aid training for interested Chicagoans?
Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based certification course that gives people practical skills to support someone experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge.
Virtual and in-person training dates are now available!
𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟳: 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗶𝗱
𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟲: 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗶𝗱
𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟴: 𝗔𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗶𝗱
Register at www.cisofchicago.org/mhfa/ ...
Our Student Supports Manager Ms. Jarrett made a beautiful tree for her Zen Garden this year! The Zen Garden is a calm space in her classroom for students to unwind and regroup. ...
School may be well underway, but we're still thinking about that new track and soccer field at one of our partner schools, DuBois Elementary!
Our School Partnership Specialist Kimberly attended the Back-to-School Bash there, shared information about CIS, and was able to witness the unveiling. ⚽ 👟 ...
For students who need to decompress midday, Ms. Diamond offers a Coloring & Coping group where she comes into the lunch room and provides a space for them to create art, socialize, and play games! Ms. Diamond is hoping to make a mural from the students' artwork by the end of the year. ...
Our network of community partners create opportunities for students to learn new skills, gain real-world experience, and reflect on their long-term goals!
Here are a few partner spotlights:
💡 Over the summer, Kode With Klossy hosted 2-week coding-intensive camps in web development, data science, and machine learning.
💡 One of our students had her artwork featured in an exhibition with residency artist Cheuk (Cherry) Yan Tungof at the Heritage Museum of Asian Art.
💡 The Gray Matter Experience hosted a pitch competition where students pitched their business ideas for a share of over $30,000 in seed funding and resources. ...
From connecting with students and families at the back-to-school bash to creating a comfortable, safe space, CIS Student Supports Manager Ms. Haley is ensuring that her high school students have access to resources and opportunities that support their growth. ...
Last week, our Chief Partnership Engagement Officer Robin and Health Partnership Specialist Lakia delivered Mental Health First Aid training to our friends at Youth Guidance!
Interested in learning more about this certification course and the skills it provides? Visit our website at www.cisofchicago.org/mhfa/ ...