Communities In Schools (CIS) of Greenbrier County, an independent affiliate of the nation’s largest and most effective dropout prevention organization, today announced a significant contribution from AT&T to support its efforts to help students achieve in school, graduate and go on to college and career success.
As part of the company’s signature philanthropic initiative AT&T Aspire, AT&T and CIS are teaming up to bring in one additional site coordinator to support two schools in the county. This year, with AT&T’s support, this new site coordinator will serve over 50 students connecting them with academic support, mentoring, counseling, after-school programs, career development, intervention, health care and other resources they need to stay in school and succeed in life.
AT&T is contributing$4.5 million to Communities In Schools affiliates across the country as an investment in the future of the 1.5 million at-risk students. The multi-year investment will support advancement in data collection, technology, research and evaluation, as well as continued site coordinator support and mentoring by AT&T employees.
“AT&T’s continued support and contribution to our work plays a vital role in helping us change the picture for low-income children who now make up the majority of students in America’s public schools,” said Dan Cardinali, president of Communities In Schools, Inc. “This investment enables us to expand the delivery of CIS’ proven model to schools across the nation.”
Communities In Schools is committed to combating obstacles to graduation and leveling the playing field so that students can focus on learning and teachers can focus on teaching. Working directly inside those schools, CIS site coordinators identify students at risk of dropping out, assess what non-academic barriers are preventing them from learning and then connect them with community services. Those services might include food, clothing, housing, medical and dental care, mental health services, tutoring and mentoring.
“Our goal is to remove barriers to academic success, and help all students – regardless of age, gender, income or zip code – make their biggest dreams a reality,” said Nicole Anderson, executive director of Philanthropy at AT&T. “Communities In Schools surrounds students with the vital supports they need to realize these dreams, and this new funding will help more students experience the welcome embrace that CIS offers.”