Thanks to you, students succeed! image

Thanks to you, students succeed!

CIS NOVA works in schools all day, every day to help students succeed (see CBS link below)

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Students have hope for a bright future - thanks to you!

Our success story continues! Shams, a Syrian refugee and new student at Gunston Middle School, needed someone to help him navigate an unfamiliar culture and language. "I didn’t know the language and it was a new culture and new community for me. I needed someone to help me go through it." That's when CIS Site Coordinator Rula stepped in.

Over the next three years, Rula supported Shams as they worked together, paving a path for success. Rula connected Shams with the tools he needed to feel safe and supported both in and out of school, so he could focus on learning in the classroom. She encouraged Shams to join the Student Council, where he built leadership skills and made his voice heard. As an Arabic speaker, Rula also quickly gained the trust of Shams' mother and helped her feel connected to the Gunston community.

Today, Shams is a confident 9th grader with a bright future ahead! He and his family are thriving and are eager to give back to their community. When their family moved across the country, the first thing Shams' mother looked for was Communities In Schools, where she could volunteer and help other families feel supported. While reflecting on his journey, Shams said: "There are many words that could describe what I am made of, but one of them would be hope."

His story represents all CIS NOVA students and thanks to you, we are helping all students find the hope and confidence to succeed!

In 2019 the graduation rate for CIS students was 94% and 99% of CIS students were promoted to the next grade.

Thanks to your generous support, CIS NOVA works with students like Shams, all day, every day, creating pathways to success.

JOIN US - DONATE TODAY!


Watch the CBS This Morning segment below to hear Shams share his story! Chosen as the final winner in a national CIS story competition, Shams shared items that demonstrated "what he was made of." These items are incorporated into the art mosaic created by artist Jason Mecier.