During this unprecedented time in our community and nation, we want to update you on how Communities In Schools (CIS) of Chicago is responding to the COVID-19 threat. We want to assure you that the safety and welfare of our students, families, and team members are our top priorities.
During the last couple weeks, we put plans in place to continue operations in order to support our students, families, and team throughout this period of mandatory school closures, and beyond as necessary.
We are very aware of how the COVID-19 pandemic, and in particular the closure of schools, will negatively impact our families, and we are dedicated to supporting them and connecting them to needed resources.
At CIS of Chicago, relationships are fundamental. So in the next several weeks, because of COVID-19 and the need for social distancing, we will be building more virtual communities so we can support our students, partners, and team members.
This includes our school-based team regularly communicating with principals and the families of our students to make sure they are feeling supported and staying resilient during this very challenging period. It also includes continued collaboration with our community partners who provide such great services and resources to our City. Rest assured, our commitment to our students and the communities we serve is greater than ever.
For 32 years, CIS of Chicago has supported more than one million Chicago Public Schools students through times of extraordinary hardship and uncertainty. This includes the devastating heatwave of 1995, the terror attacks of September 11, and the 2016 spike in violence in our City. We will see our way through to the other side of this pandemic and be a stronger organization and City when it has passed.
Thank you for your continued support of our organization and our fundamental goal of ensuring that all of Chicago’s public-school students stay on the path to graduation. We wish you continued safety and good health.
Jane Mentzinger, CEO, and the entire CIS of Chicago Team
