CISNTblog

The United Way of Denton County has been a tremendous partner to Communities In Schools of North Texas.  Today, the volunteers of “The Youth Way” committee came to visit the CISNT program at Calhoun Middle School as a part of their overall annual appropriations process. 

The annual United Way of Denton County visit to our program is a milestone of sorts for me.  I joined CISNT January 2004 - today was my fifth meeting with this amazing group of dedicated volunteers.  The visit reminds me that the calendar has clipped off another year.  Time moves so fast.  Today, the annual United Way of Denton County visit served as a haunting reminder that as time marches on, the problem is getting bigger not smaller. 

Today, we shared with The Youth Way committee the sobering statistic that the number of “economically disadvantaged” students in the area has increased about 30% in the last two years.  This is a troubling reality that we struggle to communicate to the community each day.

Today, we shared with The Youth Way committee the growing need for more CISNT programs, a need that far outpaces the financial support CISNT has previously received.

Today, we shared with The Youth Way committee stories of success, amazing volunteer achievements, and the basic need for eye glasses, clothing, food, mentors…and students who are elated when they receive a mentor or get help from a CISNT Campus Manager.

Today, Joe Ader spoke passionately to The Youth Way committee of the commitment from the surrounding community to roll up their sleeves and make a difference at schools like Calhoun.

Today, CISNT board member, Sam Burke spoke about years of serving as a CISNT director and the need for more board members to rise up from the Little Elm commuity, the Denton community and the Alliance/Northwest community.

Today, I was encouraged that in spite of what sometimes feels like overwhelming odds, a few people can truly make a difference.

Today, I was reminded why I work at Communities In Schools of North Texas…

January is National Mentoring Month and CISNT has a lot to celebrate!  It was just a few short years ago that we strategically invested time and effort into building a school-based mentoring program that would be “best in its class” (pardon the pun).   We’re very proud of our mentoring program now.  In 2007, CISNT volunteer mentors donated over 11,000 hours working with students who are at-risk of dropping out of school - students in all age ranges, from elementary to high school…

CISNT mentors meet students before, during or after school - some volunteers even get up early on Saturday morning to spend time each week with their mentee.  The stories seem endless - caring and compassionate people - some as young  as high school, many in college, busy professionals, community leaders, empty nesters, retired experts in life - all making life changing connections with CISNT students across Denton & Wise counties.  “It is the most rewarding hour of my week”, a CISNT mentor once told me.

I believe that CISNT has the very best mentors around.  We ask a lot and our mentors deliver a lot.  One hour a week, every week of the school year is a bg commitment.  As executive director of CISNT, I want to personally thank each CISNT mentor for their amazing generosity and consistency.

Why don’t you consider spending one hour a week mentoring a CISNT student?   We will train you and support you - every CISNT mentor has access to our school-based CISNT staff who are trained to help students who are at-risk of dropping out of school.  Go to http://www.cisnt.org/volunteer_application.html and take the first step by completing an online CISNT volunteer application.  We have many children who need you today.