Thank You For Your Support!

2008 -2009 Numbers Show
Champion Efforts Of CIS Supporters And Staff

Few things are more satisfying and uplifting than watching the youth of our community respond to the positive and measurable efforts of Communities In Schools of the Charleston Area. Our success has been rewarding, especially when the "numbers" reflect the countless hours of personal contact and guidance afforded to students by our concerned community. Let us share a few of those numbers with you.

During the 2008-09 School Year, CIS provided Student Support Services to children attending twelve schools in the counties of Berkeley and Charleston: St. Stephen Elementary, St. Stephen Middle, Angel Oak Elementary, Edith L. Frierson Elementary, Jennie Moore Elementary, Memminger Elementary, Mitchell Elementary, North Charleston Elementary, Orange Grove Elementary, Haut Gap Middle, St. Johns High School and Septima P. Clark Academy. These results are based on the 594 students who received ongoing CIS support services at these schools:

97% maintained passing grades and were promoted to the next grade level

82% improved grades in at least one major subject area

91% improved/maintained adequate attendance rates

100% of students old enough to drop out chose to remain in school

Program Keeps Kids On Track

Student gains friend, confidence with mentor

The Post and Courier, 07/11/09
Written by DIETTE COURRÉGÉ

Whitley Richardson probably would be living a different life if not for Aimee Lassor. She might have followed her older sister's footsteps and had a baby while in high school. Maybe she would've failed her classes. Maybe she would've been expelled for fighting. But because of Lassor, 18-year-old Richardson graduated from St. Johns High School in June and plans to attend the University of South Carolina in Aiken.

Richardson is among a group of 25 female students whose lives were touched by Lassor. A student support specialist with Communities In Schools, Lassor was the adult who listened, gave advice, and made a difference in their middle and high school experience. All of these students had risk factors that could've led to them becoming pregnant or dropping out of school, and all of them graduated this year. Only one became a teen mother, and 23 of the seniors plan to go to college.

Communities in Schools, a nonprofit dropout-prevention group, hires student support specialists such as Lassor to build intense bonds with students to encourage them to stay in school and prepare them for the future.

"Each child deserves at least one caring adult," Lassor said. "That's what we try to be. We're their cheerleaders."

Richardson and her classmates had developed an especially close bond with Lassor because they spent seven years growing their relationship. Richardson met Lassor as a sixth-grader at Haut Gap Middle School on Johns Island, and she began group sessions with her as a seventh-grader. The group meetings gave Richardson an opportunity to talk openly and honestly about her goals and her problems. They talked about peer pressure, sex, fights or whatever else was on their minds.

Richardson had a tendency to find trouble in middle school and during her freshman year in high school. She was suspended for fighting with her friends, and she would act out in class when she thought her teachers didn't like her. That began to change as Richardson trusted Lassor more.

Instead of arguing with her friends, Richardson and others were taught how to work through their disagreements. When Richardson couldn't understand her lessons, Lassor helped her find extra help.

Lassor had moved to St. Johns High School to continue working with the girls, and their bond deepened. Richardson continued group sessions, and she dropped by Lassor's office every day. So did her friends. It wasn't unusual to find a group of more than a dozen girls jammed in her office eating lunch.

When the school day ended, Lassor carted the girls to service projects and helped them start a youth center. She met their families and attended their church services.

For Richardson, Lassor was like another family member. Lassor built her self-esteem and confidence, and she was there whenever Richardson needed her.

Wise Guys...

Taking Responsibility For Their Actions

Now in its sixth year, the Wise Guys project coaches adolescent males in making healthy life choices, enjoying successful peer relations, and learning through service to others. The Wise Guys curriculum targets young men in middle and high school - a volatile and difficult period for boys.

The Wise Guys program stresses male responsibility and character building. The curriculum consists of ten components including: self-esteem, values clarification, communication, sexuality, abstinence and contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, decision-making, goal-setting, dating violence and parenthood. Male students meet weekly with CIS Student Support Specialists both during and after school. They are involved in service-learning projects and are given experiential learning opportunities through educational field trips.

From the Director

I can't believe it has been 20 years since Communities In Schools began its work in the Charleston Area! Thanks to all of our volunteers, partners, and supporters who have dedicated time and resources to the students served by Communities In Schools, we have seen record successes in the children we serve. And, because of these successes, CIS was able to expand to seven new schools this year.

I would also like to thank the Communities In Schools Student Support Program staff for all they do for our children. Based in schools in Charleston and Berkeley counties, the Student Support Team is currently mentoring more than 500 children. When not providing direct counseling services, this team is coordinating the efforts of community partners and volunteers or involving children in experiential and service learning activities. As caring adult role models, our Student Support Specialists focus on holding children accountable for their actions and providing them with the tools necessary to overcome individual obstacles and achieve academic success.

Finally, I would like to thank you, our supporters. Without your generous financial and in-kind donations, CIS would not be able to implement this proven-effective program for "keeping kids in school."

Volunteers Needed to Help
Students Succeed

Free Books!

Charleston Literacy Roundtable Gathers Kids
To Promote Reading

On Saturday, September 19, 2009, the Charleston Literacy Roundtable sponsored "Reading On the Square" downtown in Marion Square. The Charleston Literacy Roundtable is a group of Charleston area citizens and community organizations committed to the promotion of improved levels of literacy in our area. The event highlighted Charleston County's dedication to the importance of reading by offering children book giveaways, shared readings, creative drama, face painting and story telling. Charleston County Library's Bookmobile paid a visit to the event.

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