CISNTblog

The Transform events in Denton and Lewisville have been greatly anticipated by CISNT for several weeks.  Returning for the second year, The Village Church project that CISNT gladly supports is important to the students we serve for many reasons.  The results this weekend were not disappointing!

In Lewisville, 35 elementary and middle school students watched over 600 volunteers improve their school.  But that’s not the amazing part.  Each student felt the care and concern each volunteer had for them personally.  Painting, construction, repairing all are great things to have happen in a public school - but when students who are at-risk see and feel the care and concern the community has for them, a life changing experience is achieved.

In addition, when people from the community come to a Title I, or “at-risk” school, their eyes are truly opened to needs that they never imagined existed.  They also meet some of the most incredible, resiliant, hard working and appreciative children.

So many connections were made on Saturday that will result in long term mentoring relationships, program partnerships, new ideas, more help for a growing population of students who are in deep need of a community that cares.

While my experience Saturday is limited to Lewisville, there are just as many great stories of success from the Denton event as Beau Hughes, Denton Campus Pastor at The Village, described this weekend. 

I want to personally thank Joe Ader, Local Missions Pastor at the Village Church, and his great staff and army of volunteers.  CISNT is blessed to have your friendship and partnership.  I can’t wait til the July Transform event!

Our Communities In Schools of North Texas campus staff came together today for our monthly staff meeting.  We were graciously hosted by our University Behavioral Health friends at the NorthPointe Family Center in Carrollton.  I was reminded today how really messy is the work we do with children who are at-risk of dropping out of school.

As our campus staff shared “success stories”, which in reality are disasters averted, it was humbling to see the span and depth of impact our people have - both staff and volunteers.  Stories of children from Little Elm to Denton, The Colony to Rhome, Lewisville to Roanoke, Newark to Justin - every situation desperate unless a CISNT staff member were present on their campus to providing or find desperately needed services and volunteers who drive miles upon miles to “be there” for our children.  Children facing cancer, parents with cancer, hunger, abandonment, poverty, no electricity, suicidal, homicidal, running out of answers, running out of hope, running out of time.  How do you pass a math test with this staring you in the face.  Tears.  Many tears.

 I have the highest regard for our people at CISNT.  Passionate, possible workaholics, driven to stand in the gap for every child who needed them.  How do you not take this kind of load home each day?

The North Texas community is a giving community.  It’s interesting that the week started with a great meeting with Flower Mound Mayor, Jody Smith and ended in a therapeutic room where the weight of serving at-risk students was shared and supported by each of our staff.  I walked away troubled and relieved at the same time.  The answer lies within the community.  We simply must continue to share the grim reality that many, many children need their help!