I am pleased to report that Communities In Schools continues to expand its services to some of Charlotte's most in-need students at a time when many agencies and organizations are forced to reduce services and trim staff.
How does CIS keep growing you may ask? The answer is simple; we collaborate with others whose mission is aligned with ours. The Sheriff's Department, Charlotte Housing Authority, and Social Venture Partners have all partnered with CIS to help us hire additional staff who ultimately help us serve more students and schools in our community.
I am also pleased to share that CIS received two fantastic pieces of news in recent weeks. One is the recognition and financial support CIS received from Bank of America in October, when we were one of only two local nonprofits who received the prestigious
Neighborhood Excellence Initiative Award. Not only does this grant provide CIS with $200,000 of unrestricted dollars paid over two years, it essentially gives us the "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval" as one of Charlotte's most effective and well run community agencies.
The second piece of exciting news was received just before the holidays: CIS was awarded $150,000 from
The C.D. Spangler Foundation to support our dropout prevention efforts, specifically at West Charlotte High School. We were honored to be included in the Foundation's generous $4.3 million gift, which included donations to support scholarships and literacy programs at Central Piedmont Community College, the UNC system, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and Teach For America.
In closing, I want to thank you, as individual advocates and supporters of CIS, for your ongoing support. My best to you in the new year,
