AT&T today awarded Communities In Schools of San Antonio (CIS-SA) a $500,000 AT&T contribution to expand CIS-SA’s dropout prevention program at five high schools in San Antonio. The funding underscores AT&T’s commitment to the program’s proven model of integrated student support that helps kids graduate and stay on track to bright futures.
The AT&T contribution will assist in placing a dedicated CIS Site Coordinator inside Lanier, Roosevelt, Lee, McCollum and Southwest High Schools. The coordinators will serve 800 students over two years, providing individualized services aimed at increasing graduation rates and improving student achievement.
The heart of CIS-SA’s core program is the presence of caring adults who provide at-risk students with academic, social and emotional support, with an emphasis on graduating students and preparing them to enter college or the workforce. The school-based program staff identifies at-risk students who would benefit from a vast array of supportive services, including food, clothing, tutoring, mentoring and career coaching.
“The Communities in Schools program is a great example of the city’s mission – connecting every resident to opportunities for prosperity – becoming reality by empowering students to stay in school so they can achieve their academic goals,” said San Antonio Mayor Ivy R. Taylor, who attended today’s event. “But programs like this need support from their local communities. I greatly appreciate AT&T and others for their unwavering commitment to supporting successful, innovative programs like CIS that are making a real difference in the lives of students, families and local communities.”
Jessica Weaver, CEO of CIS-SA, added, “AT&T has been a strong partner for CIS-San Antonio, and we appreciate their continuing focus on school success and career readiness. At CIS, we have learned first hand that putting a caring adult on the ground, to interact directly with students, is critical to their success and important to families in locations with limited resources.”
The contribution is part of AT&T Aspire, the company’s signature education initiative focused on school success and career readiness. With an unwavering commitment to data-driven education outcomes, AT&T Aspire has impacted more than 1 million students since its launch in 2008.
“AT&T is proud to support the work of CIS-SA and their proven model of success,” said Renée Flores, AT&T Regional Vice President, External and Legislative Affairs. “CIS is a program that works – using real people and proven strategies to drive positive, measureable results for the students and families they serve. This funding will help more students in San Antonio graduate high school and be ready for future success.”
Through a competitive request for proposal process, 30 schools, school districts and non-profits, including CIS-SA, were selected by AT&T from more than 1,100 submissions nationwide. Programs were evaluated based on their effectiveness in helping students graduate, ready for career or college. Selected programs use evidence-based approaches to serve students and are able to demonstrate quantitative results.
CIS-SA is part of a national network of CIS offices in 25 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 1.5 million at-risk youth each year. Its mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
For more information about this contribution or other CIS-San Antonio programs, please contact Felisha Sanchez, CIS-SA Director of Marketing at fsanchez@cissa.org.
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About CIS-SA – Communities In Schools of San Antonio was established in 1985 by a group of concerned community leaders to address our city's high dropout rate. The founders’ vision was to provide a positive environment for at-risk students, insuring their access to educational opportunities, social services and support services. By developing positive self-esteem, confidence and respect, CIS-SA helps to realize the ultimate goal of young people graduating from high school and going on to reach their highest potential as successful citizens, positive contributors to the community and full participants in society. For more information, visit www.cissa.org; Facebook: /CISSanAntonio.
About Philanthropy and Social Innovation at AT&T
AT&T is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its community initiatives, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; or address community needs. AT&T Aspire is AT&T’s signature philanthropic initiative that drives innovation in education by bringing diverse resources to bear on the issue including funding, technology, employee volunteerism, and mentoring. Through Aspire, we’ve passed the $250 million mark on our plan to invest $350 million in education from 2008-2017.
