Back To School: Equipping Our Site Coordinators to Support the Whole Student
At Communities In Schools, our Site Coordinators are the heart and soul of our mission, working tirelessly to provide wraparound services that support the whole student. Whether it’s helping a student with getting their first meal of the day, providing hygiene products to families in need, or offering a listening ear, our Site Coordinators are the trusted individuals that students and families turn to for support. They are hands-on and react in real time to the urgent needs of the communities they work with.
As we prepared to head back into schools, the SouthPark community rallied around us in an extraordinary way. This special event, led by Albemarle Corporation, Coca-Cola Consolidated, and SouthPark Community Partners, gave our Site Coordinators the opportunity to “shop” for essential items they need to support students. Stocking up on these supplies means our Site Coordinators can begin the school year ready to provide the critical support their students rely on.
These partners, along with Food Lion, Chartwell Hospitality, Beacon IMG, and Red Moon Marketing, have shown a deep understanding of the challenges our Site Coordinators face and have stepped up in meaningful ways to ensure they have the resources necessary to meet the diverse needs of our students.
The event was a powerful demonstration of what it means for our Site Coordinators to be seen and valued. The items provided by our corporate partners—whether it’s a simple pen, a stack of notebooks, or a pack of hygiene products—are not just supplies; they are essential tools that enable our coordinators to continue their hands-on work in schools. A pen is just a pen until it writes a referral that provides urgent housing services to a family in need. A hygiene kit is just a collection of items until it helps a student feel confident and ready to learn. These tools can be a turning point in a student’s day, or even their life.
The SouthPark community and our corporate partners have truly shown up for CIS, reflecting a shared commitment to the success and well-being of our students. This partnership highlights the impact that collective action can have when the community comes together with a common goal: to support the people on the front lines of education.
We are deeply grateful for the continued support from Albemarle Corporation, Coca-Cola Consolidated, SouthPark Partners, Food Lion, and the many other companies involved. Together, we are making sure that our Site Coordinators are equipped and empowered to meet the needs of our students every day.