CIS Houston Prevents Dropouts
According to a 2010 OECD Study, the United States has the highest high school dropout rate in the developed world. Currently, a student drops out of high school every 26 seconds. That translates into 1.2 million American high school students dropping out every year. The economic impact of this issue is huge. Dropouts are four times more likely to face unemployment and earn over $7,000 less than their peers who graduate. CIS Houston is working hard to change this statistic.
Since 1979, Communities in Schools – Houston (CIS) has offered a campus based dropout prevention program. This program is currently available in over 100 schools to under served students. CIS Houston partners with over 400 agencies to provide resources to these at risk students to encourage them to stay in school and set them up to achieve. During the 2016 school year, CIS Houston helped over 31,000 at risk students and their families. Over the last five years, CIS Houston has a 99% success rate in keeping case managed students in school. They also received a four star rating from Charity Navigators for their accountability and transparency.
Named one of Houston’s most influential women,CIS Executive Director Cynthia Clay Briggs has been with the organization since it’s inception in 1979. To learn more or become involved, visit their website or plan to attend their Stay in School Luncheon on March 2, 2017 at Houston Country Club. Volunteers are also needed in math, science and reading as well as college and employment preparation. Dependable and qualified volunteers will need to pass a background check. The online application can be accessed here. Volunteers are extremely valuable assets at CIS and can make a major difference in a student’s life. Volunteers are typically needed one or two days a week for a total of two to four hours.
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