Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
BEING PRESENT MATTERS IN CHICAGO
As the challenges facing our students have increased, so has the need for Communities In Schools (CIS) of Chicago.
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.
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 2024-25 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.
𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗮 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗜𝗦 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗴𝗼.
As our team members build relationships with young people, they also build relationships with parents and family members that support student success!
CIS' Lali partnered with a parent to better understand the challenges that one student was facing and discuss strategies to support them; and CIS' India built trust with a parent who had received CIS services while in school.
Check out some of the ways we collaborated with families this fall – and see other opportunities for parents to engage in our work – in the link below!
www.cisofchicago.org/partnering-with-families/ ... See MoreSee Less
CIS Student Supports Manager Jessica has used some creative ways to encourage students to come to school this year. One strategy she implemented is an attendance bulletin board that tracks weekly attendance across grade levels!
The bulletin board has made attendance more visible for students, school staff, and families, and has motivated young people to improve their attendance and work together as a grade level. ... See MoreSee Less
Thanks to our friends at Exelon for hosting students this week for an Inspiring Futures field trip!
Students met with Exelon employees to learn more about their work and participated in an interactive tour. The tour included an exhibit on energy efficiency and a look at smart kiosks installed in their neighborhood of Bronzeville. ... See MoreSee Less
When we talk about how being present matters, we mean it! Our team shows up for our students and our partners.
Here are our some of our Intensive team members Jackie C., Jeanine, and Jackie S. supporting our CICS and Distinctive Schools partners at one of their recent events. ... See MoreSee Less
Last year, one of our school-based team members Huntleigh encouraged each of her students to contribute to a washable tablecloth she had in her office. Each student left their mark, coloring in one of the drawings or leaving their name.
“Opening it up this year and looking at it has been great to reflect and see all the doodles, names, and drawings that all my students added throughout the year,” Huntleigh said. “It is also great to see the additions from students who may have graduated and still have a piece of them within the community.”
Activities like these help young people express themselves, build connection with their peers, and feel a sense of belonging at school! ... See MoreSee Less
Last week, our Chief Partnership Engagement Officer Robin Koelsch had the chance to visit Ronald Brown Academy on the Far South Side and present a workshop on the Do the Write Thing program!
Interested in learning more about the writing program and how it empowers students to become catalysts for change and reduce youth violence? Visit our website at www.cisofchicago.org/do-the-write-thing/
Also, shout-out to Ms. Scott, who's standing beside our CIS poster at Brown! She helps our team connect students with community programs and resources that enhance their learning. ... See MoreSee Less
Fifth graders on the Southeast Side participated in a Wellness4Every1 program last month through their school’s partnership with CIS!
The program gave the students a much needed movement break and taught them the steps to the Thriller dance.
Opportunities like these help students develop self-expression and emotional regulation. ... See MoreSee Less
This fall’s Resource Fair was a huge success, thanks to our dedicated team and thanks to our partners who always show up for Chicago students!
— Educators from 150 Chicago Public Schools
— Representatives from 43 different community organizations
— Countless connections made!
One CIS school partner who attended the Resource Fair said, “Our students come to us with a lot of needs, and it takes a village. We need as many resources and hands on deck to help our students become the best that they can be.”
Our team helps make connections and build community so students have the resources they need to thrive! ... See MoreSee Less
Want to get your hands on one of these sweet magnets AND gain life-changing skills?
Sign up for Youth Mental Health First Aid certification with Communities In Schools of Chicago!
This training is designed for anyone who works with or cares about young people. You'll learn how to:
🌟 Identify early warning signs of mental health and substance use challenges
🌟 Respond with empathy and without judgment
🌟 Guide youth to appropriate professional help
🌟 Support recovery and build resilience
Our youth deserve adults who are prepared to help them through their toughest moments. That could be YOU!
Also Available: Adult Mental Health First Aid certifications—because supporting mental health matters at every stage of life.
👉https://www.cisofchicago.org/mhfa/
Together, we're building a stronger, healthier Chicago—one certified community member at a time. ... See MoreSee Less
We were hyped up to be at the Chicago Public Schools Office of Student Health and Wellness "Transforming Mental Health & Substance Use" Partner convening! Our very own Health Partnership Specialist, Lakia Conner, & Associate Director of Intensive Student Supports, Dr. Jackie Salazar were on site to rep CIS of Chicago today! Awesome way to kick off the weekend! ... See MoreSee Less
When schools need support, they turn to us. CIS of Chicago shows up for our community and school partners to make meaningful connections that positively impact students. We connected DuBois Elementary School with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office to bring an Internet Safety workshop to their 5th graders—and watched students transform what they learned into powerful action. They created eye-catching posters capturing the must-know safety tips, showcasing the real impact of connecting schools with community partners in meaningful, lasting ways. Check out the winning design! ... See MoreSee Less
💚 Happy World Mental Health Day! 💚
Mental health matters—for our students AND the adults who support them. Did you know that 1 in 5 U.S. Adults experience a mental health issue every year? And more than half of people with a mental health condition in the U.S. did not receive any treatment in the last year.
That's why we're excited to announce that CIS of Chicago is now offering Adult Mental Health First Aid!
Just as we've been empowering our community with Youth Mental Health First Aid, we're expanding our commitment to ensure the adults in our students' lives—parents, educators, mentors, and caregivers—have the tools they need to support their own wellness and recognize when someone might need help.
Because when we take care of ourselves, we're better equipped to show up for our young people. 💪✨
Let's break the stigma, start conversations, and build a healthier Chicago—together.
Learn more about our Mental Health First Aid training at www.cisofchicago.org/mhfa/
#WorldMentalHealthDay#mentalhealthmatters#cisofchicago #mentalhealthfirstaid #chicagostrong#WellnessForAll #communitiesinschools ... See MoreSee Less