“Communities in Schools” reaches out to college students
Starting Sept. 12, Communities in Schools will be recruiting for local after-school volunteer tutors. Tutoring will take place at Wilmington’s Virgo and Murray middle schools.
CIS is looking for 80 volunteers to take part in their new tutoring program called Challenge Academy. Participants will be needed between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
CIS of Cape Fear has depended for the last nine years on the Lower Cape Fear region to help provide them with the funds they need to fulfill their mission of helping children receive a proper education. With campaigns such as the School Stuff campaign, which ended Aug. 31, and Stuff the Bus campaign, which hopes to pick up supplies for less fortunate families, CIS is able to provide students with the supplies needed in the classroom.
“Many students in our community don’t have the means to buy the school supplies they need. In many cases teachers end up buying these supplies,” CEO for Communities in Schools of North Carolina Mike Stephens said. “With the School Stuff campaign, we hope to relieve teachers of this burden and give the students the tools they need to be successful in the classroom.”
Aside from their upcoming tutoring program, CIS offers many other opportunities for their local community to be involved to strive towards better education.
At their last education fair, “CIS had 39 vendors and 200-300 teachers from New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties, [to promote programs concerning issues such as] scholarships, continuing education, and retail discounts for current students,” executive director of Communities in Schools Louise E. Hicks said.
“People’s attitudes were so positive. As soon as they found out it was for the teachers they offered to help, knowing there is real need,” New Hanover County School Board Vice Chair and Stuff the Bus volunteer Jeanette Nichols said. “The School Board appreciates the effort of the volunteers and the event organizers, as well as the individuals and corporations who donated. We especially appreciate the strong show of support for our teachers from our community.”
CIS strongly invites their surrounding community, including UNCW to participate in their efforts as they find themselves moving to a larger location. As of now CIS is a 501 C3 organization, an affiliate of the Greater Wilmington Chamber Foundation. They will be moving to the RBC Centura office building on 17th St in late October.
Volunteer coordinator, Anna Smith and Executive Director, Louise Hicks of CIS look forward to meeting and working with new volunteers this fall. For more information on the program call 762-2611 X 203 or email [email protected].