Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO REACH GRADUATION DAY?
It takes a community of support from kindergarten through senior year. Communities In Schools of Chicago plays this vital role.
We connect schools with essential programs that support students on their path to success, and we provide tailored, one-on-one guidance to young people who need it most.
For more than 35 years, Communities In Schools of Chicago has served as a steady presence in the city, doing whatever it takes for schools to succeed and for young people to thrive.
Impact In Our Community
Chicago Public Schools students benefited from programs and services provided by or connected through CIS of Chicago.*
students in grades K-12 were served by Student Supports Managers. Together, they created a plan to develop the skills and access the resources these students need to reach their full potential.*
schools were served by CIS team members, who linked community partner programming that addressed student and school needs.*
*Data from the 2023-24 school year
PROVIDING HOLISTIC SUPPORT
Chicago’s public-school students and their families have endured unprecedented challenges since the start of the decade. A global pandemic, increased violence, and rising economic insecurity have taken a significant toll on our schools. The U.S. Surgeon General recently named mental health as an area of serious concern for today’s youth and issued a call to action for all caring adults.
CIS of Chicago responds to these challenges by ensuring that students have access to the supports they need to strengthen their mental health and overall wellbeing. Our team does this by providing direct services to individual students, as well as coordinating the supports provided by community partners, to bolster entire school communities.
Our team at CIS of Chicago is proud to serve as co-sponsor for Do The Write Thing, a writing challenge that asks young people to reflect on the impact of violence in their lives and share solutions.
Our Chief Partnership Engagement Officer Robin Koelsch chatted recently with WBBM Newsradio's Craig Dellimore about how meaningful this challenge is -- not only for the students who participate, but also for the adults who have the opportunity to read their written works -- and about how this challenge aligns with CIS of Chicago's values.
Thanks for having us, Craig! And special thanks to past Do the Write Thing ambassadors, Summer and Rylei, who shared excerpts of their written submissions and what inspired them to Do the Write Thing.
Listen to the full interview with Robin, Summer, and Rylei here: www.audacy.com/podcast/at-issue-on-wbbm-newsradio-9f73b/episodes/communities-in-schools-of-chicag... ... See MoreSee Less
Student Supports Manager Marissa recently connected her students with a field trip to The Art Institute of Chicago, where they participated in the Art Across Cultures guided tour!
“At my school, I prioritize creating an environment that empowers young people to grow, learn, and discover,” Marissa said. “It’s not just about telling youth that anything is possible; it’s about providing them with experiences that show all the possibilities.”
“Exposing young people to new experiences stimulates their curiosity, builds self-esteem, develops critical thinking skills, helps them discover their interests, and prepares them to navigate a diverse world.” ... See MoreSee Less
Our Chief Partnership Engagement Officer Robin Koelsch met last month with the violence prevention team, which explores strategies that provide students with a strong sense of school belonging and safety.
We appreciate our community and school partners dedicated to this work, including Together Chicago, Chicago Public Schools Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, and more! ... See MoreSee Less
Dr. Judith Allen first learned about Mental Health First Aid a decade ago. For her, the program responded to a clear need. Most people knew how to respond when someone was having a heart attack or at least knew how to call for help. But most could not recognize when someone was struggling mentally, let alone feel confident enough to sound the alarm.
Her experience with Mental Health First Aid spans geographical areas, as well as a range of youth needs, but what has remained consistent is the importance of relationships. Mental Health First Aid is designed for any adult that interacts with children; all it takes is having the relationship to sense when something is off kilter.
Learn more about the course -- and why it's critical for any Chicagoan to become certified -- in our latest Medium piece here: ... See MoreSee Less
Mental Health First Aid: A Necessary Skill for Any Adult Who Interacts with Young People
cisofchicago.medium.com
Dr. Judith Allen first learned about Mental Health First Aid a decade ago. She was attending a behavioral health event in D.C., collecting…Thanks to CIS community partner, Center on Halsted, for visiting one of our schools and leading a GSA club through an engaging session on identity and inclusivity!
Students had the opportunity to create their own Pride flag, learn about its history, and reflect on ways to create a more inclusive environment in their school community. ... See MoreSee Less
CIS’ Mr. Thomas and Ms. Woods led students through an identity activity recently, where they created collages from magazine clippings and explored aspects of themselves that are unique to them! ... See MoreSee Less
This spring, students at one of our Southwest Side schools were able to explore a variety of career paths, with help from Ms. Herrera, the CIS school-based supports manager there.
Ms. Herrera connected students with several CIS community partners, including Junior Achievement of Chicago, the OBAP - Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Bright Financial, Shedd Aquarium, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago AHEC, Argonne National Laboratory, and the University of Illinois Chicago.
Fifth through eighth graders benefitted from the presentations, discovering unique professions and learning about the career journeys of individuals in their community. ... See MoreSee Less
Thanks to the Chicago Department of Transportation for visiting one of our CIS schools to engage second graders in walking safety lessons!
First, they presented a classroom lesson and then they led students in an experiential walking tour to apply their knowledge. 🛑👀👟 ... See MoreSee Less
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.Schools not only support students’ learning and academic progress; they also serve as places where young people build their social skills. When Haugan Elementary School sought a program that developed students’ self-awareness, social awareness, and relationship-building, CIS of Chicago connected the school with Once Upon Our Time Capsule.
Once Upon Our Time Capsule’s program reimagines the time capsule tradition and invites young people to share their stories, in their own words. For eight weeks this fall, the program engaged fourth graders at Haugan, asked them to explore their own cultures and traditions, and encouraged open dialogue.
Haugan’s school leaders shared with the CIS team just how impactful the program was, especially for the school’s newcomer students whose voices and experiences were amplified. ... See MoreSee Less
Once Upon Our Time Capsule
www.ourtimecapsule.org
We connect youth across classrooms, communities, and time.CIS Student Supports Manager Dominic Thomas builds trusting relationships with young people. When students need someone they can talk to or someone to support them with their goals, they can turn to Dominic.
At the beginning of the school year, Dominic noticed that many students needed a positive outlet to express their emotions.
He decided to add a boxing bag and mitts to his office and encouraged his students to try boxing as a way to release feelings of anger and frustration. With his freshmen boys’ group, Dominic also implemented physical fitness activities, including a pushup challenge, to build community among the group.
“Understanding that your physical health plays a key role in your mental health, it placed a smile on my face to see students identifying new outlets and self-care practices,” Dominic said. ... See MoreSee Less
Student Supports Manager Karen organized a field trip to the Black Fire Brigade for her South Side students this month, where they had the opportunity to tour a firetruck and ambulance, learn more about professions as an EMS and firefighter, and even practice their CPR skills. The field trip was engaging, career-focused, interactive, and relevant! 🚒 ... See MoreSee Less