Mission & Vision
Communities In Schools’ mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
We envision a community where every child and family thrives and is positioned for positive economic mobility.
Message from the CEO
I am pleased to share our Annual Report for the 2021-22 school year. Last year marked our 37th year of providing critical services to students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Our North Star remains constant: ensure that all students are able to realize their full potential and have equal opportunities for success. After two years of serving as President and CEO of Communities In Schools, I am still taken aback by the immense need in our community. I am also exceedingly impressed by the generous support that CIS receives from individual donors, corporations, faith organizations and from the Charlotte community at large. I am extremely grateful and humbled to lead an organization that impacts thousands of youth each day.
As I reflect upon our many accomplishments, I’d like to highlight the following:
- CIS provided individualized case management services to 5,360 students in 2021-22; this is up from 4,700 the prior year. This increase is due, in large part, to the generosity of donors like you. Because of your support, we were able to add more direct service positions and thus serve more students.
- We resumed in-person College and Career Readiness opportunities in 2021-22. We conducted multiple campus tours, college fairs, and career showcases. Our team provided enhanced support and guidance through College Admissions 101 Sessions, ACT/SAT Prep, and assistance with admissions, financial aid, and scholarship applications. We also focused on Professional Development Workshops (Financial Literacy, Resume Writing, Interviewing, etc.). As a result, of the 383 CIS Seniors that graduated in June, 84% indicated plans to attend college and 15% planned to enter an apprenticeship, the military, or the workforce.
As CIS looks towards meeting the increased need in 2023, we are encouraged by new partnerships, innovative programs, and the steadfast support of our donors and stakeholders. Thank you for your continued support of our work and for joining us in our efforts to remove the barriers to learning for CIS students.
Men Tchaas Ari, President and CEO
Our Commitment to Educational Equity
"CIS believes that race, socioeconomic status or the neighborhood in which one lives should not predicate student outcomes. Ensuring that all students have equitable school experiences and opportunities is foundational to our mission, and infused in everything we do. CIS-Charlotte is committed to removing systemic inequalities present in our educational system. We help champion solutions so that students can achieve success in school and in life.
– Men Tchaas Ari, President and CEO
Advocating for Educational Equity
Who We Serve - Student Demographics
During the 2021-22 school year, CIS provided targeted case-management services to 5,360 students in 55 CMS schools, identified as Title 1 schools and/or with high percentages of students from low-income households.
Income
Of those CIS families who disclosed their income, 70% reported an annual income of less than $35,000.
| Earn < $15K | 35.5% |
|---|---|
| Earn $15K - $35K | 35% |
| Earn $35 - $50 | 16.5% |
| Earn > $50K | 16.5% |
Ethnicity
89% of CIS students identify as either Black or Latinx.
| Black | 60% |
|---|---|
| Hispanic | 29% |
| White | 4% |
| Asian | 3% |
| Multi-Racial | 3% |
| Not Listed | 1% |
CMS Schools Currently Served by CIS
Elementary Schools
PK-8 Schools
Middle Schools
High Schools
Elementary Schools
- Albemarle Road
- Briarwood
- Bruns Avenue
- Cotswold
- Devonshire
- Hidden Valley
- Highland Renaissance
- Merry Oaks
- Newell
- Rama Road
- Reid Park
- Shamrock Gardens
- Statesville Road
- Sterling
- Tuckaseegee
- University Park
- Westerly Hills
- Winding Springs
- Winterfield
PK-8 Schools
- Ashley Park
- Berryhill
- Druid Hills
- Governor’s Village
- Marie G. Davis
- Thomasboro
- Walter G. Byers
Middle Schools
- Albemarle Road
- Alexander Graham
- Cochrane / iMeck (6-12)
- Coulwood
- Eastway
- James Martin
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
- McClintock
- Quail Hollow
- Ranson
- Sedgefield
- Whitewater
- Wilson
High Schools
- Butler*
- East Mecklenburg
- Garinger
- Harding
- Hopewell
- Independence
- Julius L. Chambers
- Mallard Creek*
- Myers Park
- Olympic
- Performance Learning Center
- Phillip O. Berry
- Rocky River
- South Mecklenburg
- West Charlotte
- West Mecklenburg
* Only our Safe Journey (teen parents) program is offered at these two high schools.
Giving Students Voice, Developing Future Leaders
After a two-year pause due to the pandemic, we were thrilled to resume this outstanding program again in 2022! Special thanks to The Gambrell Foundation for their vision around the Difference Makers® CLT initiative and their generous support to make it possible.
How We Serve
CIS places full-time, trained professionals – our Site Coordinators – inside schools to connect students to resources and relationships they need to be successful inside and outside the classroom. Site Coordinators help identify and overcome roadblocks in students’ way, ensuring they have equitable opportunities and support to achieve their full potential.
CIS Services by Category in FY 2021-22
Specialized Interventions
In addition to our targeted case management services for students in grades K-12, CIS-Charlotte also provides support for youth in our community in the following areas:
is a program for teen parents and their children ages birth to five. The goal is to assist teen parents in completing high school and delay additional pregnancies, while strengthening their parenting skills and connections with their children, families and community.
- 91 teen parents and 87 of their children received services in FY 2021-22.
is a federally funded program providing college access/admissions support to students from
low-income backgrounds and/or who are first generation in their family to attend college.
- 911 students in grades 9-12 were enrolled in TRiO in FY 2021-22
provides support and resources for recently arrived immigrant/refugee/ELL (English Language Learner) students, many of whom have experienced trauma and extreme emotional/physical situations.
- 217 students received targeted case-management services in FY 2021-22.
Program Outcomes
0
students received targeted case-management services in 55 CMS schools.
0
additional students received broad, school-wide services.
0
%
of CIS students stayed in school.
0
%
were promoted to the next grade.
0
%
of CIS students achieved or made progress towards their identified academic, attendance, behavior, and/or SEL goals.
0
%
were not chronically absent.* (“chronically absent” is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year)
0
(99%) CIS seniors graduated.
84% of CIS graduates plan to attend a 2-4 year college or university.
15% of CIS graduates plan to join the military, an apprenticeship program or workforce.
0
+
partner companies, groups, and individuals donated time or resources.
Financial Summary
July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022‡
Financial Support by Source
| Individuals/Family Foundations* | 6,690,162 |
|---|---|
| Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools | 2,212,643 |
| Federal Government** | 1,197,925 |
| Mecklenburg County | 931,204 |
| Private Foundations | 814,129 |
| Corporations/Organizations | 751,478 |
| State of North Carolina | 435,000 |
| Charlotte Merchants Foundation | 400,000 |
| Religious Organizations/Civic Groups | 125,153 |
| Total** | $13,557,694 |
Functional Expenses
| Program Services | 7,125,608 |
|---|---|
| Management/General | 621,547 |
| Fundraising | 606,188 |
| Total** | $8,353,343 |
‡Based on 990 prepared by C. DeWitt Foard and Company.
*Includes $5 million gift from MacKenzie Scott
**Contains PPP Loan Forgiveness
Surprise Gift from MacKenzie Scott
In February 2022, CIS-Charlotte received an unprecedented $5 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the largest single gift in CIS-Charlotte’s history. The donation will allow us to build capacity to address three priorities in our strategic plan, including:
- The critical re-engagement of students and the rise in chronic absenteeism since the pandemic.
- Enhancement of our college and career readiness programming to ensure that every student has a post-graduation plan for success.
- Expansion of services to support more students attending under-resourced schools.
Thank You, MacKenzie Scott!
This transformative gift is a significant validation of both the Communities In Schools network and our affiliate and the work we are doing here in Charlotte. Our national office received $133.5 million from MacKenzie Scott, with 40 CIS affiliates across the country (out of 110) being reviewed and selected by MacKenzie Scott for direct additional gifts. CIS-Charlotte was one of just three affiliates in North Carolina to receive a gift from MacKenzie Scott. We are grateful to MacKenzie Scott and her team for this extraordinary gift!
Financial Donors
Special thanks to the following for their financial support from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
"No child chooses their circumstances, but every child has potential. It is up to us, as a community, to remove barriers, remove obstacles, in order that that child can thrive. My husband and I remain committed to Communities In Schools because it works."
– DeeDee Dalrymple, longtime donor and former Board member
Community Partners
Thanks to our formal partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, we have the opportunity to facilitate relationships between local organizations and students who need their services.
Contributors of Goods and Services
Many thanks to the following for their contributions of goods and services from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
Thank You to our Event Sponsors
All In For Kids: A Week of Giving
November 8-14, 2021
Thank you to everyone who supported our All In For Kids: A Week of Giving virtual event in November 2021, especially our Board members, individual donors, and our Event Sponsors.
Dine Out For Kids®
June 21, 2022
Thank you to our event sponsors, participating restaurants, and everyone in the community for making Dine Out For Kids® a fantastic event in 2022!
Thank You to our Participating Restaurants
- Alexander Michael’s
- Artisen Old Fashioned Gelato
- Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
- Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
- Café Monte
- Calle Sol Latin Café & Cevicheria
- Dilworth Neighborhood Grille
- Dogwood Southern Table & Bar
- Dressler’s
- Eddie’s Place
- Famous Toastery of University
- Fin & Fino
- The Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters
- Golden Set Café & Gelato
- Haberdish
- Harper’s Restaurant
- HMSHost
- Johnny Burrito
- Kona Ice of Cabarrus County
- La Caseta
- Lang Van
- Little Mama’s
- Mama Ricotta’s
- Manolo’s Latin Bakery
- Mert’s Heart & Soul
- Midwood Smokehouse
- Mimosa Grill
- Nothing But Noodles
- Paco’s Tacos and Tequila
- The Porter’s House
- Queen City Poppin’
- Sabor Latin Street Grill
- Three Amigos Mexican Kitchen & Cantina
- TRUE Crafted Pizza
- YAFO Kitchen
Thank You to Our Event Sponsors
Board of Directors, 2022-23
| Niles K. Brown | CIS Board Chair Grant Thornton LLP |
| Kathryn W. Black | Bank of America |
| Bradley Brown | Ally Financial Inc. |
| Veronica Calderon | DeVry University |
| Tawanda Y. Chandler | AvidXchange |
| Jordan Collier | Bristol-Myers Squibb |
| Jon Davis | Circles |
| Yulonda D. Griffin | Mecklenburg County |
| Vida C. Harvey | Novant Health |
| Dwight Jacobs | Duke Energy |
| Andy Kalbaugh | Civic Leader |
| Shivani Mehta | Atrium Health |
| Steve Menaker | RSM US LLP |
| Eric Norris | Albemarle Corporation |
| Laura Poole | Capitol |
| Federico Rios | City of Charlotte |
| Nate Salley | Audible Coaching and Consulting |
| Diamond R. Staton-Williams | Atrium Health |
| Maxine W. Swayne | US Bank |
| John A. Tate III | Civic Leader |
| Daniel Valdez | Welcoming America |
| Kayla Witherspoon | Property Maven, Inc. |
Our Team
Learn more about our Program Team and how we deliver Comprehensive Services through our Site Coordinators.
© 2022 CIS Charlotte-Mecklenburg | All Rights Reserved