CIS Spring 2014 Newsletter - Communities In Schools of Houston

Empowering kids to stay in school and achieve in life.
Spring 2014
CIS IN COLLEGE
Hess Corporation
a force for good
Communities In Schools celebrates
Hess Corporation for its commitment
to meeting the highest standards
of corporate citizenship and creating
a long lasting positive impact on
Houston’s children and our
community.
Since 2013, the Hess Signature
Education Fund has generously
donated over $256,000 to CIS
programs supporting Edison and
Jackson middle schools.
Supporting CIS’ mission to keep
at-risk kids in school, Hess’ gifts
help ensure that students engage
in their education and have access
to the tools and resources necessary
to be successful and promote to
the next grade level. Because of
Hess, over aged middle school
students are catching up in school
and will be able to attend high
school on time.
Thank you Hess Corporation for
joining CIS in touching the lives
of over 30,000 students and
their families!
It wasn’t long ago when “staying in school” was all it took to
guarantee a steady job and adequate earnings to support a family.
However, in today’s increasingly competitive job market and
technologically advancing workplace, a high school diploma is
just not enough. Post-secondary education, be it college or trade
school, is a necessity for today’s students to secure their future.
For over 34 years, Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS),
the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization, has had
a presence on elementary, middle, and high school campuses
throughout the Houston area. But in 2012, CIS entered its first post-secondary institution, Lone Star
College (LSC), the fastest growing community college system in Texas. Lone Star’s Victory Center
(LSC – Victory) serves the Acres Homes and Inwood Forest communities – a fitting location to begin
its efforts beyond K-12 since Acres Homes was the very first CIS site more than three decades ago. “Acres
Homes is our home. CIS has roots in this community; it’s where we first began and where we continue
to invest our efforts” explains Sylvia Teague, Director of Field Operations for CIS. Since LSC – Victory,
CIS has entered four more college settings: Houston Community College Northwest at Spring Branch
Campus (HCC), Lone Star College – Greenspoint Center (LSC – Greenspoint), Lone Star College –
Kingwood Campus (LSC – Kingwood) and Lone Stone College - North Harris Campus (LSC – North
Harris). CIS’ goal is to help at-risk students in their transition into a college setting.
Balancing school and life
Many students on today’s campuses are entering college from the
workforce or after being out of high school for decades. The barriers
facing students at the campuses served by CIS, reflect those of the
community as a whole. Students face homelessness, family crisis,
substance abuse, mental health issues and the difficulty of reintroduction
from incarceration. However, these students must juggle these issues
in addition to studying for finals and navigating the foreign and
intimidating processes of a higher education institution. CIS
provides support critical in helping these students to be successful.
CIS Project Manager Amanda Howard is a Licensed Professional Counselor and (continued on page 2)
Bridging the Gap
The summer between a student’s senior year in high school and freshman year in college is a crucial time. Many students that intend to go
to college at high school graduation never make it to college in the fall. This phenomenon is known as “summer melt”. To address the
issue of “summer melt”, CIS partnered with Houston Community College Northwest at Spring Branch Campus (HCC) and Spring
Branch Independent School District (SBISD) to create the Houston Community College Summer Bridge Program. Entering its
third summer, the program currently serves Northbrook High School and Spring Woods High School, hopefully enrolling 80 CIS students
this summer. The two month Summer Bridge Program shows new high school graduates how to navigate to college life: how to register
for classes, how to apply for financial aid, and what requirements are necessary to enter college, such as having the meningitis shot. The
Summer Bridge Program allows students to experience college instruction through courses developed to teach them how to be a successful
student. The students earn college credit for the courses and are introduced to campus life and the resources available to them.
With the success of the current Summer Bridge Program, CIS has plans to partner with other districts and colleges to reach more students,
effectively bridging the gap between high school and technical, two or four year institutions.
CIS IN COLLEGE (continued from page 1)
the only social service support provider at LSC – Victory. She has become the “go-to”
person for many of the faculty and staff who encounter student issues outside of their
scope of expertise. And word has spread among the students. A day in the CIS office
may involve relationship counseling for a student couple, arranging housing at a local
apartment complex for a student kicked out of their home, distributing bus cards and
providing resources to a working mother of four trying to also get her degree, or securing
jobs for students in need of internships. CIS is committed. “Anything that keeps a
student from attending class and focusing on school is a barrier . . . and we do whatever
it takes to remove that barrier,” explains Howard.
College culture shock
Different from the LSC campuses, many of the students served by CIS at HCC’s Spring Branch Campus are considered “traditional”
students – those students transitioning directly from high school. When explaining the challenge working with the HCC campus
population, CIS Project Manager Kristen Carpenter, LCSW, explains “This age group tends to not commit to things and are not
thinking ‘long term’ about their choices.” These younger students, many who are the first in their family to attend college, often encounter the culture shock of college life. Students are often not prepared for the academic standards of college, have difficulty managing
and completing the academic workload, have difficulty with the commitment of time to school work outside of the classroom,
and lack a support system with the knowledge necessary to be successful in college. Much of CIS’s time on this campus involves supportive
guidance for the students in the form of one-on-one and small group sessions on academic classes, social and life skills, securing
employment, and finding community resources. CIS works to bridge the gap of support for the students between high school and
college, including reaching out to local high schools before students even reach the campus.
Regardless if transitioning from a high school setting or the work force, the students served by CIS have barriers that often hinder
success, or even entrance, in their post-secondary endeavors. These programs
are first steps towards building students’ transition to and improving their
chances of success in college. CIS hopes that these partnerships are the first
Colleges Served by CIS
of many, as the organization strives not only for students to graduate high
school, but to continue to thrive in higher education.
“Communities In Schools is by far the best thing that has ever
happened to Lone Star College. Being able to provide students with
the resources and support that Communities In Schools offers helps
us to ensure student success and completion.”
Renae Johnson, Director of Grant Development
Lone Star College – North Harris
Northwest at
Spring Branch Campus
Greenspoint Center
Kingwood Campus
North Harris Campus
Victory Center
“I’m so thankful for you guys because without [CIS] I don’t think
I could have finished the semester.
Angela, HCC Student
“CIS addresses each student as a whole person. Students need
support in all areas of their lives to be successful students. We
provide that support every day!”
Kristin Carpenter, LCSW, CIS Project Manager
Houston Community College Northwest – Spring Branch Campus
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Woodview Elementary
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A special thank you to our Donors (1/1/14 – 4/30/14)
INDIVIDUALS
Angelica F. Adams
Flora Adams
Kendall B. Adams
Kim Adams
Pradyumna Prasad Agrawal
Dora Irene Alfaro
Chinhui and Edward Allen
Karen A. Amaya
Denitsa and Valentin Angelkov
Isabel Arguello
James P. Bailey
Susan and James Baker III
Bonner and George Ball
Sarah and Jeffrey Bartlett
Rebecca and Shane Bayless
David W. Beck, Jr.
Cynthia T. Bell
Benjamin Benigno
Kristen and John Berger
Erica L. Berrocal
Kim and Stewart C. Black
Leslie and Jack Blanton, Jr.
Alicia Blaszak
Sandra C. Bolden
Michelle and Joseph Bollinger
Alicia R. Booth
Melinda M. Bowman
Cynthia Clay Briggs
Angela Bryant
Derrick DeAnda Bryant
Linda Buchman
Sharrie and G. Clyde Buck
Carol and William Butler
Diane and William Campbell
Lisa and Bryan Carey
Kristin Carpenter
Stephanie B. Carr
Kristopher Carrier
Gina and Jonathan Carroll
Renee and John Cary
Margot and John Cater
Catherine and Merritt Chastain III
Trevia A. Clark
Garlon Cooper
Beth Ann Corley
Celix Cortez
Mary and John Craddock, Jr.
Bruce Crawford and Laura Rowe
Charlotte and A. Crawford
Connie and William Creel II
Ashley N. Crenshaw
Emily and O. Holcombe Crosswell
Julie and H. Markley Crosswell III
Anne and Ken Culotta
Hilda and Gregory Curran
Claire and John Curtin III
Wendy and Michael Dalton
Bonnie S. Darrett
Allison and Alan Daughtry
Suzanne and Edward Davis, Jr.
Jennifer Davis
Cristina and John Deboben
Jennifer and Michael Dellinger
Lisa I. Descant
Fredell and Robert Deutser
Diana S. Dominguez
Mrs. Frank Donnelly, Jr.
Katrina M. Dowdell
Leslie and Charles Duncan III
Stacie and Brad Dunn
Lucie Dunwoody
Jane and Gus Eifler
Gwen and Ed Emmett
Jennifer and Lin Espey
Dana Esposito
Vicky Estrera
Genna and Jon Evans
Laura and Quinn Fanning
Linda and James Farley
Sidney and Albert Fay
Anne and George Fibbe
Caroline and Jeremy Finkelstein
Cherie and James Flores
Natalie E. Flores
Trebie and George Francisco III
Cassandra B. Freeney
Anita Friedrich
Nancy H. Gabriel
Mary Kay and Gilbert Gaedcke
Iris G. Galvan
Adriana C. Garcia
Theresa Garcia
Jacko Garrett
Tricia and Panos Georgiou
Mable S. Gibbs
Eleanor and Daniel Gilbane
Esther Glover
Rodney Godley
Theresa Gonos
Andrea Gonzales
Delma Gonzalez
Rene Gonzalez
Whitney and Chris Gowan
Amy Grace
Mary and Christopher Granberry
Anne and Donald M. Graubart
Michael L. Gray
Jennifer and James Greer
Linda and John Griffin
Mary and Carter Groves
Brenda Guillory
Christina J. Hall-Payne
Sarah and William Hamilton III
Ann and Henry Hamman
Rusty and Tissy Hardin
Mary Jo and Alan Harp Jr.
David W. Head
Heidi and Wyatt Heard
Jeni and Benjamin Heard
Kay and David Hedges
Gail Wandel Hendryx
Margaret and David Henry
Lindsey K. Herferth-Cano
Liz and Rogers Herndon
Aloysia Higgins
Jason Holly
R. Maynard Holt
Susan and Howard Horne, Jr.
Julia and David Humphreys
Caroline and Bruce Hurley
Barbara and Charles Hurwitz
Chaille and Thomas Hutcheson
Lillie and John Hutcheson Jr.
Jessica and Darren Inoff
Jene Jackson
Beth and Rob Jardeleza
Donna and Howard Jares
Christy and Webb Jennings
Cathy and Mel Jodeit
Julie T. Johnson
Suzie and Larry Johnson
Joanna and Patrick Johnston
Louise and Peter Johnston
Elizabeth and Samuel Jones
Kat and Peter Jones
Toy and Jeffrey Joyce
Lisa and Sanjay Kalavar
Gerry and Jay Karkowsky
Chantee H. Kazeem
Susan and Thomas Keefe
Wendy and Mavis Kelsey, Jr.
Julie and James Kemper
D. Lynn Kirkpatrick, Ph.D.
Kyle and John Kirksey
Margaret and Stephen Klineberg
Marissa and Duncan Klussmann
Karin Knapp
Saranne and J. Livingston Kosberg
Elizabeth and Bill Kroger
Joseph K. Labrie
Traci and Paul LaChance
Amy Larsen
Harriet and U.W. Leavell III
Cecilia Garcia Lee
Sheryl and David Leland
Amanda Lenss
Phuong and George Levan
Lorene Jones Lewis
Valencia Y. Lewis
Elizabeth Limon
Meghan Y. Loera
Elizabeth Logan
Marianne Logan
Klinka and John Lollar
Eva G. Lopez
Nilda S. Lopez
Kaye Lunsford
Melissa A. Maher
Blair and Clay Manley
Nirsi M. Maravilla
Anthony Martinez
Diana C. Martinez
Jenny L. Martinez
Tatiana and Craig Massey
Stephanie McCall
Suzanne and James McCarthy
Becky and Bret McCleary
Gayle G. McCloud
Helen F. McCollum
Kirby and Scott McCool
Devin and Ryan McCord
Patty McGrail
Sandra and Adams McHenry, Jr.
Lanis McWilliams
Valerie Medina
Danielle Angel Medrano
April R. Mendiola
Monica E. Mendoza
Emma Meneses
Jessica and Peter Meyer
Judy and Peter Meyer
Amy and Todd Miller
Pravda G. Miltchev
Ginni and Richard Mithoff Jr.
Diane and David Modesett
Nancy E. Moncrief
Wendi and Jeremy Monthy
Susana Marie Morell
Louise and Gary Moss
Colette and James Moudy II
Leslie J. Mucha
Laura and David Mullins
Mercedes and Robert Mulvey
Monique A. Ned
Syble A. Ned
Lindy and Laurence Neuhaus
Hoa T. Nguyen
Sean J. Nickelberry
Karen and Bobbitt Noel
Bryan Oakley
Shannon and Robert O’Brien
Kim Odom
Ricardo Melendez Olivarez Jr.
Jill and Christopher Oliver
Chanelle Eastman Omiwade
Ana L. Padron
Alma D. Panameno
Lindsey Parrish
Katherine Pearson
Jesusa Perez
John Perry, Jr.
Gary Petitt
Patricia Pierce
Andrea J. Price-Robinson
Becky and Jim Pruett
Linda and Mark Quick
Kitty and Richard Rabinow
Kimberly and Duane Radtke
Lynn and William Rafferty
Johnathan Rainey
Maria Luz Rainey
Hector M. Ramirez
Catherine and Will Randall
Fairfax and Risher Randall
Nancy and David Randall
Angela Randolph
Linda Rangel
Yezenia Y. Rangel
Mona and Steven Read
Isla and Thomas Reckling III
Jan and David Redford
Porter Renfro IV
Jessica T. Reyes
Raul Reyes
John Rhew
Cidnie Richards
Winifred and Carelton Riser
Amy and Adam Robison
Ivonne Rodriguez
Marissa Rodriguez
Veronica Rodriguez
Franelle Rogers
Kathleen and J. Dickson Rogers
Regina J. Rogers
Anne and Joseph Romano
Iliana and Gregory Romero
Laura E. Romo
Pat and David Rosenberg
Norma and Vadim Rush
Elizabeth and Seth Russell
Lynn and John Russell
Mary H. Salas
Lisa and David Sambrooks
Blanca J. Sanabria
Armando Sanchez
Laura Sanchez
Mary Elizabeth Sand
Tracey and Brett Sarver
Stephanie and Brian Sauer
Kathleen Sauve
Angele Maria Sazon
Helen and Britt Schmidt
John Schuhmacher
Claudia and Jim Segovia
Belinda Senneway
Wilonder S. Shelton
Joyce Shirley
Jennifer Smart
Donna Smedick
Maggie Smith
Kathy and Brent Smolik
Karen and Kenneth Soh
Celina and Jason Stabell
Matthew Starr
Anisha Sud and Jay Goosen
Elizabeth and Stephen Swan
Stephanie Swartz
Judy and Charles Tate
Jeanine Ally Tatum
Sylvia Teague
Caryn and Graham Tebbe
Nancy and Peter K. Thompson
Marissa Trevino
Betty and Jesse Tutor
Maria A. Uribe-PizaÒa
John Vargas
Katherine and David Wall
Whitney and Marc Walsh
S.H. and R. Weber Jr.
Kelly Whitcomb
Karen B. White
Linda Gale and Mark White
Lorri White
Stacey and Andrew White
Elizabeth and James Whitehead
Ruth and Gene Williams
Brian Williard and Rachel Gower
Jeanie Kilroy Wilson
Wallace S. Wilson
Teresa and Rick Witte
Mariette and Ronald Woestemeyer
Robin and John Wombwell
Donna W. Wotkyns
Jacqueline and John Wright
Israel Zamora
CORPORATIONS
& ORGANIZATIONS
Amegy Bank of Texas
American Express Charitable Fund
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
Association of Legal Administrators
AXA Equitable
Baker Botts L.L.P.
Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation
Chicago Bridge & Iron Company
Comcast Cable
ConocoPhillips
Encap
EP Energy
Exxon Mobil Foundation
Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas LLC
Frost Bank
HEB Grocery Company
Hess Signature Education Fund
JPMorgan Chase
King & Spalding LLP
Lasco Development Corporation
MacIntyre McCulloch Stanfield
& Young, LLP
Marathon Oil Corporation
Nabors Drilling USA, LP
NRG Energy, Inc.
Panera Bread
Rusty Hardin & Associates, LLP
Sabine Oil & Gas
Sanders Interiors
Silver Eagle Distributor Charitable
Fund
Stellus Capital Management, LLC
Sutherland Mortgage Services, Inc.
Top Child Learning Center, LLC
University of Texas Health Science
Center at Houston
Williams Kherkher
Wynn Resorts
FOUNDATIONS
Andrews Foundation
The Louis K. Brandt Foundation
Chapelwood United Methodist
Church
The Clayton Fund Inc.
John S. Dunn Foundation
First United Methodist Church
Albert & Ethel Herzstein
Charitable Foundation
Houston Endowment Inc.
The Leon Jaworski Foundation
The Andre Johnson Foundation
Junior League of Houston, Inc.
Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund
The Robert and Janice McNair
Foundation
Mithoff Family Charitable
Foundation
The John M. O’Quinn Foundation
The Powell Foundation
Transformation Foundation of
Texas
United Way of Greater Houston
Susan Vaughan Foundation Inc.
AROUND TOWN
Canned Food Dive, Woodview Elementary
Project Move Dental, Alexander Elementary
Houston Hispanic Forum, Spring Oaks Middle School
Houston Texan’s Andre Johnson, Bastian Elementary
Tzu-Chi Coat Donation, Landis Elementary
1st Place Rodeo Champ - Demetrius, Worthing High School
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Red Ribbon Event, Elsik NGC
SPE 2014 Scholarship Awards
www.cishouston.org
CIS
IN
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Congratulations CIS recipients of this year’s Society of Petroleum
Engineers (SPE) Scholarships. SPE’s open scholarship
program is dedicated to increasing interest in the petroleum
industry among graduating high school seniors. SPE – Gulf
Coast Section has supported CIS by designating a number of
awards specifically for qualified CIS seniors, supporting their
college tuition needs up to $12,000. Since 2003, more than
$180,000 has been given in scholarships to support CIS
graduates.
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ANNUALY
Thank you Society of Petroleum Engineers’ Gulf Coast
Section and congratulations recipients!
Empowering kids to stay in school and achieve in life. SPRING 2014
Tiara Flowers – Reagan HS
Liliana Gonzalez – Milby HS
Cristal Hernandez – Southwest HS
Jacqueline Laurenzan – Milby HS
Julio Mendoza – Milby HS
Patricia Mendoza – Milby HS
Leslie Saucedo – Milby HS
Brittany Smith – Reagan HS
1235 North Loop West, Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77008
Nonprofit Org
U.S. Postage
PAID
Houston, TX
Permit #2388
Cougars Who Care
This Spring, students in the service group Cougars Who Care at
Aldine’s Nimitz High School reached beyond the doors of their
school to bring a much needed smile to some Houston children.
The Ronald McDonald House of Houston (RMH) offers a
“home away from home” for families with children being treated at
the Texas Medical Center for cancer or other serious illnesses. The
ten Cougars, supported by CIS Project Manager Gayle McCloud,
provided a welcomed treat for over 60 kids, families and staff –
preparing and serving lunch. On the menu: King Ranch Chicken
Casserole and Fish Tacos with all the trimmings including a spread
of cookies and treats celebrating the spring season.
“A chance to give back to peers and community” is one of CIS’
Five Basics – essentials that CIS believes every child deserves and
needs to succeed academically and beyond. With this in mind, Cougars Who Care was first started in 2013 by McCloud to give students a collective means to participate in volunteer service projects.
Participants take part in at least four community service projects a
year, both on and off campus.
Hats off to Nimitz’s Cougars Who Care for “giving the gift
of service” to their school and community!
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