Our Story Is
Their Story
In Schools From the Start
DonateBill Milliken saw the problem of poverty in New York City in the 1970s and decided to do something about it. By understanding that poverty is a leading cause of dropping out of school before graduation, he came up with the idea of bringing community resources into public schools, where they would be accessible, coordinated and accountable.
In the time since, Communities In Schools has become the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization—including our Nevada-based branch which focuses exclusively on the unique needs of students in the Silver State.
The unique CIS model positions a site coordinator inside schools in Nevada to help assess needs and deliver necessary resources that remove barriers to success. In Nevada alone, we serve more than 100,000 students inside 110 schools, from Clark County to Washoe County and beyond. It’s all part of a larger effort to embed site coordinators directly inside 3,270 schools and growing across the country. By doing so, we connect students to caring adults and community resources that help them see, confront and overcome the roadblocks that stand between them and a brighter future.
Together, we build a powerful change movement made up of peers, students, and alumni committed to shaping an equitable path to education for future generations.
An Impact That’s Felt Across the Nation
Changing Lives Daily
Communities In Schools site coordinators surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. In Nevada alone, we help more than 100,000 students across 110 schools — and that number is only growing!
“We are calling on everyone to shift the conversations and focus on student reengagement, creating equitable learning environments and creating the school climate that benefits and supports all students.”
— Rey Saldaña, President and CEO Communities In Schools