July 2024 Community Express

In this edition of the Community Express, you’ll learn about our graduation celebration, how CIS helps students prepare for college and careers, and how your support can help us reach more students. Keep reading to learn what’s been happening this quarter at CIS!

Celebrating the Class of 2024

CIS was honored to celebrate the resilience of our graduating seniors who, despite the challenges heightened by the global pandemic, persevered and worked hard to reach graduation day. The future looks bright for the Class of 2024, and we are excited to see all that they will accomplish!

Preparing Students for Life Beyond High School

For more than 45 years, CIS has helped students build the skills and mindset necessary for post-secondary success. Discover how CIS provides students with tailored guidance and resources to achieve their aspirations beyond graduation. Whether they choose college, trade school, or the workforce, CIS is committed to helping empower students to succeed.

The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation Unveils Plans for a Future CIS Alumni Center for Southern Nevada

NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal has partnered with CIS and Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada to establish a new youth development facility in Las Vegas. The center, led by Shaq's foundation, will cover over 17,000 square feet and feature the first CIS Alumni Center, providing resources from academic assistance to career development for K-12 students and CIS alumni.

Empowering Success: Helping Students Define Their Own Paths

Through their workforce development program, CIS of the Heart of Texas guides and supports students in achieving their unique dreams. In this op-ed, former CEO Aaron Mize details how the program works and shares some student success stories.

Innovative Engagement: Bringing Career Day to a New School

The 2023–2024 school year was the first time CIS began serving Lebanon High School, and it was also Jeff Suarez’s first year as a CIS site coordinator. Jeff quickly discovered a need for college and career initiatives to inspire students and provide them with real-world insights and opportunities. Jeff leveraged his connections in the community to host career day events with presentations from local professionals, including barbers, tattoo artists, and entrepreneurs.

JUST RELEASED: 2022–2023 Data Book and State Profiles

During the 2022–2023 school year, the CIS network, comprised of 113 local affiliates and licensed partners across 25 states and the District of Columbia, supported 2 million students across 3,460 schools through attendance initiatives, mentoring, life-skills workshops, college preparation, academic enrichment, and more. Check out our newly released Data Book and State Profiles to learn more.

CIS National & Hudson by Avolta Reach Historic Milestone

Thank you to our longest-standing partner, Hudson by Avolta, for donating nearly $1.8 million to help students succeed in school and achieve in life! The largest single donation in our 16-year partnership, this gift will provide support to the National Office and 26 CIS organizations located in communities where Hudson by Avolta operates. Learn more about this investment here.

Krissy is ALL IN for Kids

This month, we’re spotlighting Krissy one of our amazing individual donors! Read Krissy's short Q&A to learn why she is committed to supporting the transformative work of CIS, her vision for the future of education, and her wish for every child. Thank you, Krissy, for being All In for Kids!

A New Resource For Our Community

At the core of our work are the relationships that keep students moving forward—Site Coordinators, teachers, parents, and community members who motivate them to do their best every day. In that spirit, we’re excited to share a new resource in partnership with FreeWill.  FreeWill is a free tool that guides you through the process of creating an estate plan. Estate plans are critical for everyone to have and protect the relationships that matter most.

If you've included CIS National in your estate plans, please let us know by completing this quick form, so we can extend our thanks for your incredible support.