The mission of Communities In Schools is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
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Meet James

365 logo thermometer_resizeEarlier this year, James was pulled from his bed in the middle of a school day by the high school truancy officer after his Communities In Schools site coordinator expressed concern for him. She noticed that James had been absent more days than he had attended and was in danger of not only falling behind, but of entering the juvenile court system.

What really caught her attention was that even with his excessive absences, James, a quiet, polite sophomore, still had passing grades in all of his classes. Why would such a bright student give up the chance to graduate and, more than likely, receive scholarships to attend college?

He was afraid to leave his mother at home alone during the day with her abusive partner.

With a few phone calls, the site coordinator had James enrolled in an online learning program to make up for his missing time at school. She also helped him come up with a plan to balance his perceived obligations to his mother with his academic work. James now completes his assignments each day on a laptop within sight of her office.

When a recent campus visit to North Carolina A&T State University was announced, James was the first in line to hand in his permission slip – he can’t wait to become a first-generation college student.

James is like hundreds of other young people in Lexington and Davidson County who are facing dizzying obstacles; challenges that force them to choose between home and school, between family and self, and most often between survival in the present and success in the future.

In the face of so much need, it’s hard to know where to start and easy to accept that as individuals we’re powerless to make a real difference. Where do we put our limited resources if we want to have the biggest impact?

To us at Communities In Schools, the answer is a simple one. We invest in individuals who do have the tools to change student’s lives for the better; the site coordinators who keep track of grades, absences, and behavior, intervening when necessary, as well as the mentors who show up week after week to offer a stable presence and friendly guidance.

James is proof that incredible transformation is possible when the right support system is in place.

We want you to know that by helping us reach our $20,000 year-end goal before December 31, you are making an investment in that support system.

You are personally guaranteeing that the resources will be there to empower students like James who are in need of an advocate, a friend, a solution, and a chance to succeed.

Thank you for choosing to change your community for the better. Thank you for supporting Communities In Schools of Lexington/Davidson County. 

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