Virtual Gala for Communities In Schools of Houston

Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS)—the nonprofit that partners with education leaders and community organizations to provide comprehensive services for students and families in their times of need—is premiering a virtual gala to help meet the extraordinary demands on families as the pandemic took its toll this past year.

“Wherever we were, CIS was always there,” one student said. And just as CIS moved its on-campus supports off campus and online, so its 2021 gala will be hosted virtually, allowing donors to support the nonprofit from wherever they may be.

From crisis intervention to providing basic necessities and doing whatever it takes to set students up for success in college and future careers, families are turning to student support specialists from CIS to help break down barriers to students’ success.

Together with educators and community organizations, CIS student support specialists are providing emergency assistance to students and their families in the form of food, clothing, mental health counseling services and more, working on campus with students who are in school buildings and remotely with those who are at home.

The gala video, “Where You Go, We Go!”—premiering May 20 at 2 p.m. at cishouston.org/2021gala—will feature the inspiring stories of CIS students, parents, alumni and staff, including a parent whose child received one of 5,000 computers distributed by CIS as classes moved online and a high school senior who received food for his family and help applying to colleges.

This school year, CIS of Houston student support specialists have been called to help more than 125,000 students at campuses in Aldine ISD, Alief ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Houston ISD, Spring ISD, Spring Branch ISD, Southwest Schools and Lone Star Colleges.

CIS of Houston’s life-changing work depends on the generosity of donors. This marks the sixth consecutive year that the 501c3 nonprofit has earned the 4-star fiscal responsibility distinction from Charity Navigator. Donate and learn more about CIS’ work, proven to help students succeed, at www.cishouston.org.