A Community Program Helps At-Risk Students Succeed

We all need somebody to lean on when dealing with the curve balls life throws our way.

For Carlos, an elementary school student in Texas, that somebody came in the form of Communities In Schools of San Antonio (CIS-SA), which connects children and their families to basic and critical educational and community-based resources.

Following the death of his godmother, Carlos was referred to CIS-SA, a United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County partner agency, to address his behavioral issues and help him cope. A CIS-SA case worker met with Carlos’s mom to discuss how best to help him.

Carlos was provided with grief counseling and art therapy, which helped him build his self-esteem and strengthen his communications skills. As a result, Carlos gained confidence in his academic abilities and was more motivated at school. His teacher even reported fewer behavioral issues in the classroom.

United Way has long partnered with programs like CIS-SA to support children in need. In the case of CIS-SA, passionate professionals do whatever it takes to help at-risk students stay in school and receive the tools they need to succeed in life. Based inside schools throughout Bexar County, CIS-SA serves nearly 7,000 children in grades K-12 on more than 70 campuses throughout Bexar County.

Carlos is just one of many students whose life has been turned around by CIS-SA. In fact, during the 2015-2016 school year, out of the 8,068 students served by CIS-SA, 99 percent of them stayed in school. To make a difference in the life of a child in your community, reach out to your local United Way to find out how you can help.