Gliding across the stage to "Pomp and Circumstance" is a true rite of passage - for some people. To others struggling to keep the lights on, support younger siblings, or even find a good meal, a diploma can quickly lose priority. That's where Communities in Schools comes in.
By giving licensed social workers a permanent residence in schools, CIS is able to directly reach out to students who need it most. Christine Thompson was one of them. But thanks to Communities in Schools, she recently graduated from Azle High School and became the first in her family to attend college.
With continued support from the community, stories like Christine's can become the rule, not the exception. To raise money for the program, CIS is hosting its second annual Wine, Women & Shoes fundraiser - "where fashion meets compassion," says VP and Chief Development Officer Lindsey Garner. The evening includes wine tasting, boutique shopping, a fashion show and more, with all funds going toward intensive case management in Tarrant County schools.
And every penny counts. During the 2011/2012 school year, 95 percent of high school seniors served by CIS case managers graduated on time - an extraordinary statistic that reaches far beyond the halls of high school. "It benefits the entire community every time a student walks across the stage," shares Garner. Because when we raise the bar for success, everybody moves with it. And it starts with you.
