Since 2018, Communities In Schools of North Texas has partnered with The OneStar Foundation and received funding to support the placement of AmeriCorps Members in CISNT programs. CISNT AmeriCorps Members serve alongside a CISNT Site Coordinator at one of CISNT’s 53 partner schools in North Texas. AmeriCorps Members provide services to students who are at-risk of dropping out of school and work to keep them positively engaged in school. Members provide 300-450 hours of service and can choose to serve for just one semester (fall or spring), or throughout one school year.
During the 2020-21 school year, CISNT AmeriCorps Members provided 6,244 hours of critical support services to 713 students in grades K-12 who are considered at-risk of dropping out of school. CISNT AmeriCorps Members work to increase students’ school engagement in CIS daytime and afterschool programs. CISNT consistently achieves a 99% success rate at keeping students in school each year.
CISNT recently celebrated AmeriCorps Week on March 13-19. During AmeriCorps Week, CISNT recognized some of the dedicated individuals who have served with CISNT along with the millions of Americans who have chosen to serve their country through AmeriCorps, and encouraged more Americans to follow in their footsteps of service.
Throughout the week, AmeriCorps Members shared “Why I Serve” to bring awareness to the positive impact AmeriCorps Members have on students and the community by serving with CISNT.
Ashley Pryor, a CISNT AmeriCorps Member serving at Huffines Middle School, shared:
“I serve with Communities In Schools of North Texas as an AmeriCorps Member because I want to empower students and help them see that there is always a reason to try–even at their lowest. I want to support them in continuing to strive for their best. I want to instill in them a passion for education so that they can be their best selves.”
Hannah Carney, a CISNT AmeriCorps Alumna, and current CISNT Site Coordinator at Degan Elementary School, shared:
“In my AmeriCorps experience, I feel that I was given the tools to succeed in both my field practicum—and my career with Communities In Schools of North Texas. I gained the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in my role as a Site Coordinator. Through my AmeriCorps service term, it changed the trajectory of my career, and I found my true calling with Communities In Schools of North Texas.”
Allyson Wilcox, a CISNT AmeriCorps Alumna, current CISNT Site Coordinator at Chisholm Trail Middle School shared:
“I served as an AmeriCorps Member in Spring 2021 and loved my experience and the work we do here so much that I moved into a full-time position. I am currently the Site Coordinator for Chisholm Trail Middle School out in Rhome, TX. What I learned as an AmeriCorps Member and took with me as I transitioned into the Site Coordinator position, was the importance of giving students that one-on-one relationship with a caring adult. A lot of the kids I worked with last year as an AmeriCorps Member, and this year do not have that supportive adult in their lives, and to be able to provide that has been such an important part of my job.”
As much as AmeriCorps Members who serve with CISNT gain long lasting, professional development in the social services field, opportunities to network and receive mentorship, and hands on experience, they also give North Texas students invaluable support and a positive and consistent relationships with caring adults.
If you or someone you know is interested in meaningful service to North Texas students, fill out the Interest Form, or visit us at cisnt.org/americorps for more information.
