BE A SPARK
Communities In Schools works to ignite hope in kids so that they can succeed in school, graduate and be prepared for life. CIS addresses the barriers that get in the way of success. CIS Site Coordinators literally bring the community and all the ways it can help, into the schools. This is how we surround kids with whatever it takes-from tutors and food assistance to health services and college visits-so they can start strong and keep moving forward.
Together we’re making an impact.
11,000+
STUDENTS
Benefited from a service coordinated by CIS
20
KPS SCHOOLS
Served by CIS, at the elementary, middle, and high school level
703
VOLUNTEERS
Changing students’ lives every day
42
PARTNERS
Working with CIS to deliver services and resources to students in schools
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
It only takes one person to make a difference in a student’s life. Whether it’s through volunteering, donating an item to Kids’ Closet, or making a financial gift that supports an entire program, it takes everyone together to help our children succeed.
Lives are changing every day.
Partnerships are the lifeblood of CIS. Kalamazoo is rich in resources so we partner to provide the best services to students. Our expertise is connecting the right services to the students who need them most.
— USE YOUR CHANGE
TO MAKE A BIGGER CHANGE
Your gift helps students get what they need to stay in school and achieve in life.
— USE YOUR CHANGE
TO MAKE A BIGGER CHANGE
Your gift helps students get what they need to stay in school and achieve in life.
Today’s guest blogger is Jane Asumadu. As CIS After School Site Coordinator at Linden Grove Middle School, Jane hopes to share her passion for education, particularly reading and writing, with students. As a Kalamazoo native, former Japan resident, and world traveler, Jane hopes to share her experiences with the community. We have found ourselves in […]
On Thursday, March 12, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a mandate to close all Michigan schools grades K-12 through April 5 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Spring Break is the following week for Kalamazoo Public Schools and, as of this posting, that is still happening, which means students should be returning to school on April 13th. In […]
Born and raised in Connecticut, Elissa Kerr spent much of her childhood “playing under the shade of two massive maple trees.” Not surprising given this former CIS site coordinator has just written a book that features maple trees! We ran into Elissa a few months back during an author event at Kazoo Books, where she […]
Welcome back to the POP QUIZ! This is a regular, yet totally unexpected, feature where we ask students, parents, staff, our friends, and partners to answer a few questions about what they are learning, reading, and thinking about. Today we feature Paul Runnels. Since 2013, Paul has been one of the CIS volunteers who makes […]
