COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF AURORA

Communities In Schools (CIS) was founded as Cities in Schools in 1977 and is headquartered in Alexandria, VA. Today, CIS is the nation’s leading community-based network helping kids stay in school and prepare for life. Communities In Schools celebrate nearly three decades of building communities of help, hope, and care for two million students every year, at almost 3, 000 school sites in 28 states. For two years in a row, Worth magazine named Communities In Schools one of the 100 top nonprofits in America.

CIS of Aurora is part of that network that includes over 260 cities and communities. Aurora’s Communities In Schools started in 1991 and was incorporated in 1994.

CIS of Aurora strives to create an environment in which all children can learn and succeed both academically and emotionally. CIS has been a driving force in bringing organizations together for the benefit of Aurora’s youth and families. CIS creates collaborative projects with community partners that lay the foundation for a strong and prosperous community by helping children do better in school. CIS engages community social and health services providers to work as a team alongside teachers, principals, volunteers and mentors to provide the resources that children need, in school where the children are.

Our youth may need the kind of help and intervention that teachers aren't usually equipped to provide: health care, drug use prevention, counseling for emotional problems, family services, gang awareness and prevention.

A CIS program “helps kids to help themselves” and our youth demonstrate that hard work, commitment to learning and a desire to give back to peers and community can equal success.

Parents give their approval and support to each child’s participation in CIS. They become involved in CIS’ mission, volunteer their time and often benefit themselves from parenting classes and other family-skills initiatives brokered into the school by CIS.

Teachers know their students better than anyone else at the school. They refer young people for needed services, create lesson plans with other members of the CIS team.

Local government leaders help create access to public agency services for relocation into CIS sites. They can be a powerful advocate for the CIS process, rallying community support and sending the message that local government is determined to help our young people stay in school and prepare for life.