Service providers throughout Chicago are
eager to reach children with their programs but need assistance
accessing and navigating schools and ensuring that their programs
are appropriate for the classroom.
Communities In Schools of Chicago (CISC) partners with more than
125 hospitals, universities, theaters, community-based nonprofits,
government agencies, museums, corporations and individuals and helps
them facilitate their programs within schools. CISC directs our
service provider partners to schools that need the services they
offer, helps them navigate these schools and helps improve the quality
of their services.
Experiencing live theater is a rare occurence for many Chicago public school students. Emerald City Theatre (ECT) recognizes the challenges that urban schools encounter. In the fall of 2006, ECT contacted CISC for help supporting a school-based outreach program.
CISC helped ECT access schools in targeted neighborhoods. In their first year of partnership, nearly 700 students from nine CISC partner schools attended an ECT performance. With such a successful first year, ECT committed to expanding its school-based work. In 2007-2008, ECT served 2,385 students at 23 CISC partner schools - an astounding increase.
According to Beth Klein, ECT's Business Manager, "Through CISC, we are now providing free theater to those who most need it."
Every year, CISC hosts trainings to help our service providers
maximize the impact of their community programs. These free
events provide insight and instruction on how to work effectively
with schools and students and provide opportunities for service
providers to share trends and best practices.
Some of the topics covered in our training and networking opportunities
include:
- Curriculum support
- Managing an unfamiliar classroom
- Using student assessment and evaluation data to improve your program
- Opportunities for collaboration
- Marketing your program for today’s schools
Work with us
WATCH HOW CISC MAKES A DIFFERENCE
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