Skip to content
Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capital staff joined several EmpowerEd, Board of Education members, the Washington Teachers’ Union, and other groups at the Hart Senate Office Building to passionately advocate against Congress’ continuing resolution (CR). Several speakers emphasized the importance of the Community in Schools program.
DC families protesting federal spending bill with Recess on the Capitol | wusa9.com
Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capital has been at the forefront of the movement to uplift DC Community Schools in partnership with Empower Ed, the Latin American Youth Center, Mary’s Center, and the Washington Teachers Union.
On March 13, these organizations united in a powerful rally at the John A. Wilson Building, amplifying the call to protect critical funding for DC schools. The event featured inspiring remarks from key leaders, including Ed Goldstein, Executive Director of Empower Ed; Dr. Rustin Lewis, Executive Director of Communities In Schools; Adonis Garcia, Site Coordinator at Communities In Schools; Jacqueline Pogue-Lyons, President of the Washington Teachers Union; Dr. Jacque Patterson, President of the State Board of Education; Eboni-Rose Thompson, Vice President of the State Board of Education; Councilmember Brianne Nadeau; and Ricardo Garcia, Coordinator at Tubman Elementary. Several students also took the stage, lending their voices to this urgent cause.
This rally, planned months in advance, is a powerful response to Congress’s attempt to cut $1 billion from DC’s budget—critical funds generated by local tax dollars that sustain our schools. The potential loss of $350 million threatens to result in teacher furloughs and the loss of critical student services like special education and mental health support in the middle of the school year and into the future.
Dr. Lewis said, “…By overcoming these barriers [food insecurity, homelessness, academic performance barriers, and mental health issues], teachers can teach, students can learn, chronic absenteeism rates decrease, and public safety improves. The true Return on Investment for our District and our nation lies in our commitment to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed. Adonis Garcia, a former CIS student and now a dedicated CIS Site Coordinator, embodies this vision.”
Mr. Garcia’s comments echoed Dr. Lewis, “I am living proof of the impact CIS can have on an individual. As a student, I had a CIS site coordinator who guided, supported, and believed in me. That support system helped me achieve what I consider success. More than that, CIS gave me a community that shaped me into the person I am today. For many bilingual students, CIS is more than just a program; it is a lifeline. It provides access to essential resources and opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. This work is not just important—it is essential. “
Join the Community Schools Coalition for a rally and day of action!
Community schools provide critical wraparound services to students and families: everything from health care, mental care, and dental care to clothing banks and food pantries. Already, 97% of schools in Baltimore are community schools, but less than a quarter of DC’s schools are able to provide community schools programming, and last year, community advocacy showed the city the need to maintain our Community Schools program. The Community Schools Coalition believes all schools should be community schools, and we need your help to make it happen! Join us in our fight to expand Community Schools programming in our city so we can better serve our students and families.
10:00am— Rally on steps of Wilson Building
11:30am-1:30pm– Share your stories with DC Council members
Students, educators, families and community members encouraged to attend!
Sponsored by the Community Schools Coalition: Communities in Schools of the Nation’s Capital, EmpowerEd, Latin American Youth Center, Mary’s Center, WTU
L to R: Bill Milliken, First Lady Rosalynn Carter, and President Jimmy Carter.
Communities In Schools® (CIS®) joins the nation in celebrating the life and legacy of 39th President Jimmy Carter.
While he was widely regarded as a humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize winner, he is also known to our organization as one of the driving forces behind CIS’ evolution from a grassroots nonprofit based in Atlanta to a national organization and educational movement serving millions of students annually.
Former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter took CIS from a small local program in Atlanta to become a national movement. The Carter’s support for Communities In Schools and education equity is a pivotal moment in the history of CIS and one of the reasons we have been able to serve millions of students nationwide for nearly 50 years.
“Upon entering the White House in 1977, we helped Bill [Milliken] take his work to a national level and have continued our interest in the years since. Having helped get Communities In Schools off to a good start, it has been a joy to watch it become an important force for change. Our affection for and commitment to Bill Milliken and Neil Shorthouse have never wavered – they are truly life companions for both of us. Bill’s faithful insistence that “programs don’t change people – relationships do” has been a constant reminder and inspiration for us all in our endeavors.” – President Jimmy Carter, excerpt from The Last Dropout
Communities In Schools has forever been intertwined with the legacy of Jimmy Carter, who was a staunch advocate for our mission to remove barriers for students. Although he has passed away at the age of 100, his influence lives on through the millions of lives enriched by his dedicated leadership. Jimmy Carter’s unwavering support for CIS has helped propel our commitment to empowering students, and his legacy continues to inspire our work every day.
|
|
|
|
|
(Pictured is Site Coordinator Aylin Reyes)
The Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capital site coordinator at Cardozo Education Campus, Aylin Reyes encountered numerous challenges affecting student attendance, including family responsibilities, work schedules, and transportation issues. However, as winter approached and temperatures began to drop, another significant barrier emerged: the lack of appropriate clothing for cold weather. Many students arrived at school without warm clothing, making it difficult for them to attend regularly and concentrate on their studies.
Determined to make a positive impact, Site Coordinator Reyes collaborated with Cardozo’s parent coordinator to initiate a coat drive. Together, they reached out to the community, encouraging them to donate jackets. Franklin Hall Restaurant and Whole Foods on Florida Avenue generously agreed to host donation boxes where local residents could contribute jackets, gloves, scarves, and hats.
The response was overwhelming. They collected 60 new jackets, 25 pairs of gloves, and 10 hats. On November 15th, a distribution event was held after school, allowing students to choose the items they needed to stay warm.
The coat drive was a success! Students who were struggling to keep warm left with smiles, bundled up in their new winter gear. This simple act of kindness not only provided them with the warmth they needed but also helped remove a significant barrier to their education. With the cold weather no longer a concern, these students can now focus on what truly matters: their learning.
To donate to Communities in Schools of the Nation’s Capital, which surrounds students with a community of support and removes barriers, visit Donate – Communities in Schools – Nation’s Capital
Special thanks goes to Franklin Hall, Whole Foods and MGM Corporation.
Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capital announces it will join the second cohort of grantees to receive funding for the Communities In Schools® (CIS®) national Scaling for Success initiative. CISNCAP will receive a grant to expand its reach to 1,000 new students for the 2024-2025 school year.
This investment enables Communities In Schools, in partnership with school districts and local schools, to provide critical coordinated resources to students through a trained professional who can help connect them to the supports and services needed to succeed in school.
“I am excited to announce that with the new funding, we are partnering with MacArthur High School’s Principal McCray and Sojourner Truth Public Charter School’s Executive Director Justin Lessek to open two new schools this school year,” said CISNCAP Executive Director Rustin Lewis. “We will also add two new site coordinators at Eastern and HD Woodson High Schools. Our expansion and deepening underscore the importance of providing a full-time site coordinator who can assess the needs of the students, build relationships, and mobilize resources. One of my priorities is to expand and collaborate with school leaders who value relationship-centered student case management.”
CISNCAP recognizes the importance of fully supporting students. When students begin the school year with adequate resources, support, and a caring adult, they are more likely to attend school and graduate.
In the 2024-2025 academic year, we anticipate serving 5,300 students and case-managing 500 students across our 11-school network. This growth is made possible by the addition of four new coordinators, which will significantly enhance our capacity to provide Tier 1, 2, and 3 services.
By bringing caring adults into the schools to address children’s unmet needs, we provide the link between educators and the community. The result: teachers are free to teach, and students – many in jeopardy of dropping out – have the opportunity to focus on learning. Support our mission by becoming a donor. Your contribution will provide students with essential wraparound services, helping them overcome barriers and stay in school.
https://abcnews.go.com/video/embed?id=113206687
Angeline Pino-Silva is the CISNCAP Site Coordinator at Stuart-Hobson Middle School in Ward 6.
Are you originally from DC? If not, where are you from, and how long have you lived in the area?
My name is Angeline Pino-Silva. I was born and raised in the Little Havana neighborhood in Miami, Florida. I first moved to Washington, D.C. seven years ago in 2017. I have lived and worked in the Columbia Heights, Petworth, Chinatown, and H Street neighborhoods.
What are your hobbies?
I love learning languages! I am proficient in English, Spanish, French and Italian, while working on trying to learn Arabic. I also enjoy traveling and spending time with my family and my dog, Yuna.
What motivates or inspires you?
When I was a teen, I met mentors through community service that empowered me to become engaged in my community, and to have a voice. They were able to see potential in me before I was able to see it in myself. Through my role as a site coordinator, I am motivated to work with our resilient families and brave youth to connect them to resources that can empower them in their own choices for the future.
Do you have a favorite quote? If so, what is it and who said it?
Yes! I actually have it on my wall for our students in my office.
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” –Benjamin Franklin
What’s going on at your school this summer, and how many kids are being supported?
Stuart-Hobson is currently hosting summer school for several schools in the area! It is actively filled with students for Summer school and enrichment from 9:00-4:00.
Only about four of my caseload students are in summer school. I have continued to check-in with them and to communicate with parents as they transition into a new school year. In the meantime, Summer has been the best time to connect with partnering organizations and school administration about possible partnerships and Tier 2 offerings for the upcoming school year.
What are you looking forward to doing in the upcoming school year?
This upcoming school year, the Assistant Principal and I are working on a Cosmetology club for our young girls and students who are interested in participating. We are very excited to bring in different professionals to speak with and teach our young girls how they might be able to be entrepreneurs.