During times of crisis, innovative solutions are not merely optional - they are essential.  At Communities In Schools, we have operated under this assumption for more than 30 years.  Our founder, Bill Milliken, saw a need to disrupt an endless cycle of poverty and lack of education - and to do it in a way that complements school curricula and collaborates with educators, school systems and policy makers to improve conditions for all students.  Schools are facing enormous budget cuts and teachers are being asked to do more with less.  Every nine seconds a young person drops out of school.

On May 21, Communities In Schools officially rolled out its new brand identity – complete with an updated logo, revised mission statement and other descriptive language.  The rollout coincided with the Communities In Schools board meeting at the national office in Arlington, Va., and featured a webcast of the actual unveiling of the new logo on signage in the national office.

U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan addressed the Communities In Schools national board of directors and guests at a dinner prior to the May board meeting in Washington, D.C. Secretary Duncan, who has been a supporter of Communities In Schools since his days as CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, spoke about the critical role of integrated student services in ensuring that all young people graduate from high school prepared for post-secondary education.

Communities In Schools President Daniel J. Cardinali testified on Capitol Hill April 22 before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions to urge inclusion of integrated student services in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). His remarks were made during a full committee hearing on ESEA reauthorization focused on meeting the needs of the whole student. Cardinali joined representatives from Citizen Schools in Boston, The Forum for Youth Investment in Washington, D.C., and several other organizations.

Communities In Schools of Georgia celebrated their eight Student Achievement Month state winners during a luncheon at the historic Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta on March 11. Now in its eighth year, Student Achievement Month shines a spotlight on students who are sometimes overlooked and expected to underachieve, providing a forum for them to showcase and be recognized for their talents. The competitive, month-long contest awards achievement in four categories: public speaking, creative expression, written expression and computer technology.

For Imani Lewis, a 24-hour day is probably about 12 hours too short. She’s got a very long list of things she wants to do and the energy, drive and purpose to accomplish them. As she looked forward to her senior year of high school in Statesboro, Ga., where she has lived since she was eight, Imani saw an opportunity to continue working at her part-time job, helping her mother and younger sister, and, most importantly, excelling at academics.

Nine Communities In Schools local affiliates were accredited under the Total Quality System (TQS) in May.  Communities In Schools launched the TQS in 2008, with the goal of promoting uniform quality and improved outcomes for students being served by the organization.  TQS establishes a common set of operational and business standards and best practices that define what it means to be a successful Communities In Schools affiliate serving students.

Communities In Schools of Virginia received a High School Success grant from the AT&T Foundation to help launch the Communities In Schools of Hampton Performance Learning Center® (PLC). A kick-off event was held May 20 at the PLC, with Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell as the keynote speaker.

A total of 78 Communities In Schools local affiliates recently benefited from the Communities In Schools Impact Fund, an investment fund that supports the organization’s Total Quality System (TQS). TQS is designed to build strong and sustainable business operations and fidelity to the Communities In Schools Model at the local level.

Communities In Schools would like to thank ICAP®, the world’s leading online training company, for designating Communities In Schools as a “charity of choice” during ICAP® Charity Day. The international event, organized by Communities In Schools national board member John Nixon, is held one day each year during which all ICAP® broker commissions are donated to charitable organizations. This marks the fourth year that Communities In Schools has been a recipient.

Communities In Schools National Leadership Council member Jim Sinegal, CEO and president of Costco Wholesale Corporation, was recognized in March for both his personal commitment to and his company’s engagement in supporting the nearly 1.3 million young people and their families served by Communities In Schools. Sinegal received the first annual Angel de Esperanza Award from Communities In Schools of San Fernando Valley/Greater Los Angeles. Communities In Schools Founder and Vice Chairman Bill Milliken attended the event, and shared his gratitude for Sinegal’s steadfast commitment to Communities In Schools and its mission to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life