HOW WE HELP

Chicago is a city rich in resources. CCIS brokers these resources for the formation of effective community service partnerships, ones that can enrich public school students' academic and social experiences. We connect children, parents and classroom teachers to organizations, agencies, corporations, individuals, and professional associations willing to serve children and families. CCIS works as a valuable link for these partners, enabling them to access Chicago's public school children and help them achieve success.

Our Agency/School Coordinators research agencies, hospitals, businesses and universities to determine possible matches based on each school's self- identified needs. They follow through with the schools and agencies until matches have been made and schedules set. Not only do we look for agencies that are readily willing to go into schools and serve students on site at no cost to the school or the students, but we also negotiate to help determine creative ways for students to be reached. CCIS navigates these groups into schools and provides them with the necessary supports, including convening school-wide partner meetings, scheduling services, and planning services, to ensure a positive experience for both the service provider and members of the school community.

We bring "community" into the schools, reaching children in their neighborhoods by leveraging the good will of community resource providers. Instead of serving children and families from their downtown offices, our partners take time out of their busy schedules to travel to the schools. CCIS works diligently to ensure that agencies continue working with schools year after year, thus enhancing the vision of lasting partnerships that increase the number of caring adults in the lives of students, and that provide young people with what they need.