Communities In Schools of Memphis

Meet Hunter Key, CISM Student Support Specialist!

"Passion drives me to combat the challenges I may face while helping individuals see their potential and use their strengths as a resource to thrive."

🚨 Know Your Voting Rights 🚨 Voter intimidation is illegal! If you experience harassment or are turned away at the polls, you can file a report. Call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español). Need time off to vote? Tennessee law grants up to 3 hours of paid leave on Election Day. Just request time off from your supervisor before 12:00 p.m. the day before the election! 🕒🗳

It's time to shout out our November Birthdays! 🍁 🎂 Wishing a pair of very special days to Charie Carroll, Care Coordination Specialist, and Michael Guyette, Director of Federal Programs & Compliance. We thank these November birthday neighbors (Charie, 11/8 and Michael, 11/9) for their hard work, talents, and commitment to be !

We're excited to introduce three new interns who will be supporting CISM this school year! Lacey Conley, Rikiyah Curits, and Shamico Winger are joining us through a new partnership with the University of Memphis. All three are pursuing Master's degrees in social work and will be working closely with our Care Coordination team, helping us empower parents and families on their path to self-sufficiency. Likewise, we're proud to be part of this special step in their journey to a career that makes a difference in the community!

We're excited to introduce three new interns who will be supporting CISM this school year! Lacey Conley, Rikiyah Curits, and Shamico Winger are joining us through a new partnership with the University of Memphis. All three are pursuing Master's degrees in social work and will be working closely with our Care Coordination and helping us empower parents and families on their path to self-sufficiency. Likewise, we're proud to be part of this special step in their journey to a career that makes a difference in the community!

Jakara’s senior year of high school was anything but easy having faced some of the most challenging times of her life during that time. Living with her sister and lacking many basic necessities, Jakara managed to juggle school and a job to make ends meet. There were moments when she contemplated dropping out, feeling the overwhelming weight of her circumstances, but her CISM specialist Alexis Wofford was there to help, from academic challenges to finding essential resources or simply providing a listening ear. One of the most memorable nights of Jakara’s senior year was prom night—a moment of pure joy and celebration. However, that was abruptly shattered when she returned home to find her house engulfed in flames. Everything she owned was gone. CISM and the school community quickly rallied around Jakara and worked together to find resources, gather donations, and replace her belongings. This outpouring of support was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together for a student in need. Through all of these trials, Jakara’s determination never wavered. She didn’t just survive these challenges—she overcame them! Watching her walk across the stage at graduation was a moment of immense pride—a testament to her indomitable spirit and the incredible power of community support.

Read Jakara's full story and many others in our impact reports: bit.ly/4f5dKn7

🗳 Who & What’s On Your Ballot? 🗳 Be informed before you vote! Find your ballot at https://web.go-vote-tn.elections.tn.gov/. Click "Search by Address," enter your details, and choose "Ballot Information" to see everything on the ballot for your district. Research your candidates and issues ahead of time to make informed decisions. 🗂📋

🌟 October is Anti-Bullying Month 🌟

At Communities In Schools of Memphis, we believe every student deserves a safe and supportive learning environment where they can thrive. Bullying has no place in our schools or communities, and we are committed to empowering students with the tools and resources they need to stand up, speak out, and support one another.

Our dedicated Student Support Specialists are here to ensure that all students feel heard, valued, and protected. Let's work together to create a culture of kindness and inclusion, where every child feels they belong.

💬 Join us in spreading awareness and promoting empathy this Anti-Bullying Month. Together, we can make a difference. 💙

Meet April Howard, CISM Student Support Specialist!

"Integrity is my favorite CISM core value because there is a beautiful feeling of liberation that comes from being honest and authentic with not just those around you, but most importantly yourself."

CISM new Family Resource Help Line is open and ready to share information about essential community resources available to meet the needs of youth and adults! Our team can help navigate resources in Shelby County, including Millington, Fayette County, Lauderdale County, and Tipton County. Callers can receive personal guidance for a variety of supports, from housing and healthcare to education and many other community services.

We're here to help Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9am-3pm. Contact us at 901-878-9713.

Julius first met Ms. McNeill while she was explaining her role in his English class. “From the moment we started talking, I realized that I was opening up to her more than I ever had with any other adult in the school. She wasn't just hearing me, she was really listening.” Julius experienced the loss of loved ones during his junior year - something he never dealt with before. He turned to Ms. McNeill for comfort. “Ms. McNeill assured me that it was okay not to have the right words to describe how I felt. Instead, I was given a safe space where I could feel whatever I needed to feel.” Julius felt lost at times in school and said he would wander the halls just to stop by her room and let her know what was going on his life. In the midst of many personal challenges, she helped him focus on how to move forward after the unthinkable happens. That year was filled with many ups and downs, but her influence and his respect for her led to positive changes in his life, both in and out of school. “Having a safe space within a school is rare. This safe space has become something more valuable than I ever imagined. I’m incredibly grateful to Ms. McNeill for being there, for her smiles, her snacks, her laughter, and for giving not just me, but many others, a safe space in her room.”

Read Julius’ full story and many others in our impact reports: bit.ly/4f5dKn7

📬 Absentee Voting in Shelby County 📬 If you qualify for absentee voting (age 60+, disability, outside the county, etc.), request your absentee ballot by Oct 29! Visit https://www.electionsshelbytn.gov/voting-absentee to see if you qualify and to access the form. Tip: Request your ballot early to avoid postal delays! Questions? Contact the Absentee Department at (901) 222-6800.

Meet Lavonda Burks, one of our Care Coordination Specialists!

Lavonda most strongly feels connected to the CISM core value of Integrity.

"Integrity spoke most to me due to including the 'all in for youth.' If we are, in fact, all in for youth, the other values just fall in line to hold up this value."

Meet Ta’Niyah Coleman, a 2021 CISM graduate. Ta’Niyah said her experience with CISM during her senior year at Wooddale High school had a profound impact on her life and motivated her to make a difference in the lives of others. Since enrolling at Lane College in 2021, Ta’Niyah has participated in many enriching activities, including pageants, serving as a Resident Assistant, holding the position of Secretary on the E-Board of the Pre-Alumni Council, and even starting her own mental health program called "Unbox The Cries." After graduation, Ta’Niyah said she plans to further her education and become a medical social worker in Georgia, Texas, or Alabama.

THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS: Our celebratory 2023-24 year in review series comes to a close today as we highlight our impactful work at Invictus Academy of Memphis. With the support of the Scaling for Success initiative, Alexis Wofford, our dedicated student support specialist, set ambitious goals for her students. After a year of building positive connections and empowering students to achieve their best, 87% of those goals were met, reflecting significant strides in attendance, academics, career readiness, and social emotional learning!

View our latest impact reports to learn more about our successful school partnerships: https://www.cismemphis.org/our-impact/facts-figures/

Meet Kindra Davis-Harris, Program Manager at CISM!

Kindra resonates strongly with our emphasis on diversity and "being able to involve a mix of people of all different walks of life and passions to come to a common goal."

We're excited to introduce three new interns who will be supporting CISM this school year! Lacey Conley, Rikiyah Curits, and Shamico Winger are joining us through our partnership with the University of Memphis. All three are pursuing Master's degrees in social work and will be working closely with our Care Coordination team, helping us empower parents and families on their path to self-sufficiency. Likewise, we're proud to be part of this special step in their journey to a career that makes a difference in the community!

🌟 Unite Against Bullying! 🌟

On Unity Day, the third Wednesday of October, we join forces with students, parents, educators, and community members across the nation to promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. This special day, started by PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center, reminds us that bullying is never acceptable—in school, online, or in the community.

🧡 Why Orange?
Wearing orange is a vibrant way to spread visibility and solidarity. It represents safety, warmth, and community—a bold message that no student should feel alone.

🤝 Why Unity?
For too long, bullying has been brushed off as a “rite of passage.” But Unity Day shows us that our actions matter every day, and kindness can change the world.

💥 How to Get Involved:

Mark your calendar: Third Wednesday in October
Wear & share orange: Post your pictures to spread the message!
Explore activities: Check out the Unity Day guide and idea library on Pacer's website for action steps.
Watch the Unity Day animated video: Hear students’ perspectives.
Every time we wear orange, we tell those experiencing bullying: You are not alone. Together, let’s build a world where everyone feels safe and supported.

Meet Peyton Worst, CISM Student Support Specialist!

For Peyton, our model's emphasis on community resonates strongly:

"I believe in the necessity of uplifting others for the purpose of advancement and, to me, community is a great way to achieve that."

When kindergarten student Dayshon was referred to Student Support Specialist Shannon Walton last year, he was in need of Social Emotional Learning support. He struggled to follow basic instructions, like standing in line or staying still during class, and his disruptive behavior was impacting his schoolwork and interactions with classmates. Recognizing the challenge, Shannon and her intern began working closely with Dayshon on behavior management exercises and SEL lessons. Over the semester, Dayshon's listening skills improved significantly, and his teacher began noticing positive changes. At one point in the year, his teacher had doubts that he would graduate kindergarten, but Dayshon made remarkable progress, and seeing him walk across the stage at his graduation was a proud moment for everyone involved. This is a testament to the transformative power of targeted support and collaboration!

🗳 What to Bring to the Polls 🗳 In Tennessee, you need a federal or state photo ID to vote. This includes a Tennessee driver’s license, U.S. passport, military photo ID, or a Tennessee handgun carry permit (even if expired!). Make sure to check out the full list of accepted IDs at https://www.electionsshelbytn.gov/voter-id-requirements. Don’t forget your ID on Election Day! 🆔✅

THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS: Our year-in-review series on impactful partnerships continues with Westwood High School. CISM proudly supported the students and families of Wooddale through the Together for Students initiative in 2023-24. Lead support specialist Clavon Woodard set a school-wide goal to reduce chronic absenteeism by 13%. After a year of personalized support, Clavon helped reduce absences by 69% – meaning MORE STUDENTS CAME TO SCHOOL AND STAYED IN SCHOOL. Plus, 100% of his case-managed students met their goals for attendance!

View our latest impact reports to learn more about our successful school partnerships: https://www.cismemphis.org/our-impact/facts-figures/

Last spring, Slingshot Memphis presented CISM with its MPROVE Award for demonstrating significant improvements in poverty-fighting effectiveness in 2023 by expanding work opportunities for students and sharing training across the National CIS network, among numerous other academic and social support services that empower students and families in Memphis. The Slingshot team also shared multiple recommendations for building on those successes with added implementation support from New Memphis. Strategies are focused in the areas of data management, human resources, and operations, which will ultimately contribute to stronger partnerships and improved outcomes for the schools and communities we serve. We're deeply grateful to Slingshot for making this successful connection with New Memphis possible!

Meet Lakesha Carver, CISM Student Support Specialist! We are thrilled to have Lakesha's passion, talent, and dedication on our team as we continue to grow our impact. ❤️💪🏾