Communities In Schools of Brunswick County, Inc. 10 Frequently Asked Questions
  1. Who are we?.
    Communities In Schools is the nation's largest stay-in-school network. Established in Brunswick County in 1995 and governed by a 35 member Board of Directors, CIS of Brunswick County, Inc. strives to keep kids in school, graduate and become productive members of the community.
  2. What is our mission?
     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.
  3. What is our vision?
    We believe that every young person needs and deserves five basics: 1. a one-on-one ongoing relationship with a caring adult; 2. a safe place to learn and grow; 3. a marketable skill to use upon graduation; 4. a chance to give back to peers and community; 5. a healthy start and a healthy future.
  4. What need does CIS address?
    Millions of young people have lost the traditional safety nets that used to provide love and security even when the nuclear family was in trouble. Extended families, close knit neighborhoods, churches, synagogues or mosques- all could be counted on to respond when these kids cried out for help. But now young people are increasingly disconnected from those safety nets. Well-meaning adults have tried to address the symptoms of this crisis of our youth individually- poverty, drugs, illiteracy, as if each child could be cured on his/her own. But only one thing can cure this disconnection- that is community. CIS is working to rebuild a safety net around children by recreating community. By bringing existing resources, services, parents and volunteers into a school, we meet the children's needs so they can concentrate on learning. But more than that, we surround them with a community made up of adults who care about them and about each other.
  5. Who do we serve and how do we do it?
    Communities In Schools of Brunswick County's programs and services are offered to all Brunswick County students and families through all the schools countywide and through Family Resource Centers in Ash and Leland. Some of our programs include After School Programs for elementary and middle school students, Family literacy, early childhood development, Adopt A School Volunteer Recruitment and Training, Teen Court and Peer Court, Family Resource Center, Parenting Education, Academic Scholarships, and Principal Recognition.
  6. Who are our partners?
    We work with local businesses, civic organizations, municipalities, health and human service agencies, and communities of faith to reposition available resources with students and families.
  7. Where do we get our funds? 
    Forty-two percent of our funding comes from federal, state or local grants and foundations. Local funds such as annual campaigns, board and staff support, civic group contributions, program fees, and county government funds make up the remaining annual budget.
  8. Why are we "results driven"?
    Communities In Schools is accountable to its financial contributors and to the state and national CIS offices for maintaining uniform, system wide qualities and standards. These qualities and standards ensure that all CIS local programs adhere to best practices in accounting, management, program development and evaluation of success. Additionally, each of our funding entities has required standards for accounting, reporting, and evaluating the success of what we do. Communities In Schools of Brunswick County undergoes a stringent annual audit.
  9. What are the needs of the CIS organization?
    As grants go away, a stable source of funds is necessary to continue programs and services and to expand services to additional students and families. However, through the service of our many dedicated volunteers, CIS is able to provide many programs and services without grant funding. In a nutshell, we always need money and volunteers.
  10. How can you get involved?
    The options for community involvement are endless. As a business, you can "adopt" a school and commit to provide volunteers or to meet other identified needs for a particular school. Churches, prayer and volunteers are usually the most needed commodities. All the other options apply as well, and, as a caring individual, you can participate in the fun two hour volunteer training offered at no charge by your local CIS and go back to school as a tutor or mentor for a child. Or you can speak to a class about your career or hobbies, help with school projects, be a lunch buddy to a child or classroom, read to a child, listen as a child reads to you- the possibilities are endless. There is a fit for every need and every volunteer.





Communities In Schools of Brunswick County, Inc.
PO Box 10087
Southport, NC 28461
Tel (910) 457-3494 Fax (910) 457-2293
e-mail: info@cisbrunswick.org