Adopt A School and Volunteer Program: Mr. Jim and Carlos read together all year. Carlos never showed much enthusiasm for reading or for anything else. He never said much, just did as he was told. Mr. Jim often had to coax Carlos to talk or do more than nod his head yes or no.
At the end of the year, however, he excitedly said, “Mr. Jim, Mr. Jim, because you worked with me all year I am going to the next grade! Will you come to 3rd grade with me Mr. Jim?” Mr. Jim told said it was the first time he’d seen glee and delight in Carlos’ eyes.
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM: (Letter written by Laura Saunders, a parent) For the past three years my son has had the great good fortune to attend Communities In Schools Summer Camp, held at various elementary schools in Brunswick County, N.C., recently with assistance from Brunswick County Parks and Recreation. These camps offer an incredible yet affordable summer experience for children in a caring, safe and supportive environment, with the objective of keeping them learning and staying in school. The kids participate in all sorts of activities together, from arts and crafts and sports, to field trips and hands-on tutoring.
My son had never been accepted at a summer camp until I called Communities In Schools. My sweet, beautiful son Jackson is autistic. Although considered "high functioning," Jackson has outstanding receptive skills, but very poor expressive ones. This means that although he understands most of what is said to him, he usually cannot manage to tell others what he thinks or feels. Frequently Jackson is anxious and depressed, and exhibits self-injurious behaviors because of his inability to communicate. However, for the past three summers he has told me loudly and clearly (and frequently and amazingly sometimes in complete sentences - a true rarity), that he loves CIS Summer Camp.
Thank you CIS, Brunswick County Parks & Recreation, the National Inclusion Project and the wonderful, loving summer camp staff. You know Jackson would thank you himself, if only he could.
DROPOUT PREVENTION PROGRAM/ACTION FOR SUCCESS: Courtney was charged with a misdemeanor larceny in March of 2010. She was a very defiant and angry 6th grader who would not listen to anyone, including her mother. To say that Courtney and her Success Coach clashed would be an understatement. But to her credit she would continue to go by her Success Coach's office and they would have long conversations about her behavior and how much the teachers disliked her attitude in the classroom. They talked about choices and the fact that her negative behavior would only bring more negative consequences her way.
During her 7th grade year, they had many more conversations. It seemed as though, she was not as angry, but would continue to periodically do self-destructive things. Her grades improved and she began playing sports. She went out for the basketball team, although she was not a very good player. Because her Success Coach was also the basketball coach, he put her on the team to try and help her with self esteem and working with others. There were times she would not listen and would say "I can't do it", but her Success Coach pushed her hard. In the end she became a better basketball player and her attitude drastically changed for the better. Her grades shot up and negative reports from teachers stopped.
Courtney was asked to speak at our local Juvenile Crime Prevention Council meeting in June on the effects that Peer Court and the Action for Success program had made in her life. She did an amazing job speaking with the group and we have heard nothing but wonderful reviews. Upon her return to school on that day, she went directly to her Success Coach along with her mother and was very proud of herself.
Up until the last day of school, Courtney continued to pop into her Success Coach’s office with a big smile and always left a short message. The last one read, "I love you a lot and you are awesome, and you were the best coach ever, and you're a school adult when you need to be, but you are most definitely by far my best friend when I need one." We can't wait to see her accomplishments for 8th grade.
FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS: (Letter written to Leland Family Resource Center) On behalf of Pine Valley Baptist Church, I want to thank you for the opportunity to participate in your clothes donation program during your August giveaway. We organize an annual mission trip to the mountains near Beckley, West Virginia. This area of the country was supported by the coal mining industry but that was shut down many years ago due to environmental concerns and subsequently, the area is poverty-stricken and most of the residents have little if anything. Collected items are delivered during the month of November each year.
My parents and I learned of your clothes giveaway program recently from Vintage Values and we decided to check it out. What a blessing. We joined others collecting from the mounds of clothes available and loaded our car to capacity, collecting coats, jeans, slacks, sweaters, tops, shoes, underwear, infant wear, and other items until we almost had no room in the car for us. I would add that your staff was professional and friendly as they shared that the remainder of the clothing would be “recycled” to other areas multiple times so others could also be blessed. We were very impressed.
We at Pine Valley Baptist Church thank you again for allowing us to collect so much to send to West Virginia. We’re considering visiting again during your September and October scheduled giveaways to concentrate on children’s items to supplement those already washed, packed, and ready to go. May your program be blessed as you bless others!
PARENTING EDUCATION: Providing participants with valuable information and helping them to use it to make better choices as parents is certainly one of the main goals of a parent facilitator. Being able to make a personal connection with the parents while presenting the material is always welcomed. It was this type of connection that led this participant to success.
Catherine, a single mom, attended parenting classes two years ago. She had been referred by DSS as her two boys were in foster care. Catherine was the model participant, always punctual, prepared for class, and eager to ask questions while taking part in all discussions. She would voice her frustrations after weekly visitations with her boys, as she found it difficult to try the recommended strategies on a regular basis since she only saw her children for a short time. Although this was problematic, she continued to attend classes, read the weekly material, and at times would report small successes.
Towards the end of the 12-week program Catherine came to class extremely upset. There was a court date that morning and although she expected to be told she would be able to start having unsupervised visits with her boys that was not the case. The parent facilitators encouraged her to keep a positive outlook and to persevere. Catherine completed the 12-week Incredible Years program and was proud to receive a Certificate of Completion. At the end of class, she thanked the parent facilitators and made the comment, “I have to be honest with you, sometimes I only came to class because of you!”
Months later Catherine showed up at the beginning of another series of parenting classes. She brought a friend and encouraged her to sign up for classes saying, “These are the women I told you about. They really listen and don’t judge you.”
Over a year later the parent facilitator was scheduled to present a parent workshop at a local elementary school. While setting up the workshop she heard a familiar voice. There was Catherine. She gave the facilitator a big hug and said, “I came tonight because I saw your name on the flyer. I’d like you to meet my boys!”
At the conclusion of the workshop Catherine pulled the parent facilitator aside and asked if she would be able to repeat the Incredible Years program now that she had custody of her boys. She then said with a smile, “I remember you always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself at times. That’s what kept me going. You were right. I didn’t give up and now I have my boys!” Catherine and her boys are scheduled to begin classes again.
Teen Court/PEER COURT: Teen Court works with student volunteers and student first-time offenders. We are not only proud of the progress our first-offenders make by going through the program, but we also a great deal of growth in our student volunteers.
Beth Crocker and John Nawara have served as both Prosecuting Attorneys and Defense Attorneys in Teen Court. They each volunteered for all four years of high school and were awarded scholarships by the Brunswick County Bar Association for their outstanding participation. They went on to attend and graduate college, Beth from UNC-Wilmington with a degree in Criminal Justice and John from the University of Notre Dame. The story does not end here. Beth and John have both gone on to be the first CIS Teen Court Student Volunteers who have also graduated from Law School – Beth from North Carolina Central University and John from the University at Louisville. We are so proud of these students and the fact that they both cite participating in Teen Court as a key to their success!
ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS: CIS provided 22 ($1,000) academic scholarships for Brunswick County graduating seniors.
“Empowering Students to Stay in School and Achieve in Life”
