On July 1, Lori Fickling, former president of the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce and small business owner, joined the staff of Communities In Schools of North Texas as Director of Community Relations. Communities In Schools of North Texas, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides dropout prevention programs and services to at-risk students to help them succeed in school and prepare for life, serves at-risk students in Denton ISD, Lewisville ISD, Little Elm ISD and Northwest ISD.

“Ms. Fickling is a four-year mentor with Communities In Schools of North Texas and a recent member of our organization’s board of directors”, states Communities In Schools Chief Executive Officer, Gary Henderson.  “Lori brings a unique perspective to our team and a profound passion for the children we serve. Her knowledge about the community will be vital as we strive to generate financial support needed to serve the growing population of at-risk children across north Texas.”

“I’m so excited to join Communities In Schools of North Texas,” says Fickling of her new role. “Volunteering as a mentor has been a highlight in my life for several years, and having an opportunity to add to that by working full-time for these kids is truly a blessing.”

Fickling has been a member of the Flower Mound Rotary Club since 1996 – and the Lewisville Rotary Club for several years before that – and currently serves on the board as its President-Elect. Over the years she has served on the board of directors of several non-profit organizations in Southern Denton County, including Christian Community Action, PediPlace, and the YMCA.

Continuing her involvement in the communities served by Communities In Schools of North Texas is a priority for Fickling. She continues to be active in the local chambers of commerce, as well as volunteering for community service projects through Rotary and Northview Baptist Church where she and her husband Mike attend.

You can contact Lori Fickling at Communities In Schools of North Texas by emailing her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or calling the main office at 972-436-6377.

This month, Modern Woodmen presented a $5,000 donation to the board of directors of Communities In Schools of North Texas for their ongoing work to improve graduation rates in north Texas.  Jeff Sowards, Regional Director and Ramon Reza, Financial Representative for Modern Woodmen commended Communities In Schools for their work with at-risk students.  "We are proud of the help you bring to children in our community to see that they are receiving the resources and help they need to be successful", Mr. Sowards shared with the Communities In Schools of North Texas board of directors.  "Modern Woodmen is an organization that is proud to join you in partnership and looks forward to making a greater impact in the lives of children through supporting their education."

Accepting the donation with Mr. Sowards and Mr. Reza were Communities In Schools Board President, Larry Strong and Chief Executive Officer, Gary Henderson.  "The partnership we are building between Modern Woodmen and Communities In Schools is both exciting and critical towards helping to meet the needs of at-risk and economically disadvantaged students served by our staff and volunteers.  In Denton county alone, there are more than 20,000 at-risk students", states Mr. Henderson.  "Many who lack the resources to be successful.  Communities In Schools strives to break the cycle of poverty through education and partners like Modern Woodmen are vital to our success."

The board of directors for Communities In Schools of North Texas (CISNT) announced today the 2010 awardees to be recognized at the non-profit organization's annual gala, Celebrating Successes, on March 27th at the Great Wolf Lodge.

"This is a very impressive class of awardees that our board of directors and staff have selected," states Gary Henderson, CISNT CEO.  "In our short 16 year existence, CISNT has enjoyed outstanding support from the community.  These award winners represent the very best work between our staff and the community in helping to prevent student dropouts.  I wish more of the community could know the stories behind these award winners.  Most people simply do not understand that our work today is shaping our community for years to come." 

CISNT's 2010 award winners to be recognized on March 27th include:

• Lifetime Achievement Award - Mr. Bill Walker, Community Relations Director (retired), Hillwood Development
• 1Child Impact Award - Lantana Education/Charitable Foundation
• Advocate of the Year - Judge Darlene Whitten, Denton County
• Business Partner of the Year - Verizon Foundation
• Community Partner of the Year - Cross Timbers Church
• Educator of the Year - Ms. Sharon Cox, Director of Communications & Community Relations, Denton ISD
• Volunteer of the Year - Garden Ridge Church of Christ Food 4 Kids Volunteer Team
• Student of the Year - Maritza, Northwest ISD

Each of the 2010 award winners represent work and support that made profound impact in key areas that affect student dropouts:  alleviating child hunger, providing a second chance to an incarcerated youth, giving vital literacy support to second language learners of dozens of different languages, investing extraordinary time in student mentoring and providing vital financial support at CISNT's most challenging financial time. If you would like to attend the event to help honor the 2010 award winners, please go to www.cisnt.org or call 972-436-6377 for more information.

By providing students with a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult, a safe place to learn and grow, a healthy start and a future, a marketable skill to use upon graduation, and a chance to give back to peers and the community, Communities In Schools has become nation's leading dropout prevention organization and the only proven to both decrease dropout rates and increase graduation rates.  Learn more about CISNT at www.cisnt.org or call (972) 436-6377.  Communities In Schools of North Texas is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

Gary Henderson, the CEO of Communities in Schools of North Texas, will be stopping by the Innovation at Work studios to talk about how Communities In Schools of North Texas is making a profound impact on the lives of so many students. What does CISNT do, and how can you get involved? Tune in to the Innovation at Work radio show on CNN 1190 AM today at 3pm CST.  CISNT volunteers are encouraged to call in to the show today to share their experiences at (214) 787-1190 or (817) 787-1190.

Communities In Schools of North Texas (CISNT) is excited to announce the kickoff of their third annual 1Child Giving Campaign. Co-chairs for this community giving event, which will run from December 1 through January 31, are Denton County Commissioner Andy Eads, Lewisville ISD School Board President Carol Kyer, and Denton ISD School Board Trustee Charles Stafford. 

Did you know that only $1 a day allows CISNT to bridge the gap for one child in our community? Helping a child overcome the barriers they face in life helps them succeed in school. In the last school year, CISNT provided dropout prevention services to over 2,000 at-risk students.

The 1Child Campaign has grown each year, despite the recent economic challenges, but the need for donations to sustain CISNT is greater than ever. You can support CISNT’s dropout prevention programs by making a tax deductable donation. In addition, your donation can be a holiday gift through the 1Child Giving Campaign if made before December 16.

In a new development this year, the Lantana Education/Charitable Foundation has generously committed a match grant to CISNT for the 1Child Giving Campaign. Every dollar donated to CISNT during the 1Child Giving Campaign will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $25,000, by the Lantana Education/Charitable Foundation.

Information about donating to the 1Child Giving Campaign can be found on the CISNT website at www.CISNT.org, or by calling Dana Smith or Gary Henderson at 972-436-6377.

CISNT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide and coordinate community based solutions that equip at-risk students to overcome barriers, succeed in school, and prepare for life.