Since 2012, Communities in Schools (CIS) of Henry County, a nonprofit organization, has been working to ensure that area students are well prepared to succeed in their school environments. 

  Although the start of school is looking a bit different for many Henry County School students this year, CIS of Henry County’s mission remains the same. 

  On Saturday, July 25, CIS of Henry County hosted their Parent Expo and school supply giveaway, providing parents and students various community resources as well as backpacks filled with back to school supplies. 

  “We understand that the students may not be going back to school at this moment physically, but at some point, they will need those supplies more than they will at this time,” said Frederick Bailey, Director of Community Engagement and Operations for CIS of Henry County. “The goal was to provide the students with some tools and necessary equipment that they need for starting back to school.”

  On that day, they handed out over 950 backpacks and served over 400 families. 

  This event was supported by a variety of local business businesses offering in-kind donations, like Kona Ice, Rising Phoenix Enrichment Program and the Empty Stocking Fund. 

  CIS of Henry County was also able to provide 800 tickets to families, totaling $11,200 from Urban Air in McDonough, a sponsor for many of their yearly events. 

  Bailey emphasizes the importance in partnering with other business in the Henry County community to assist in furthering their mission to help area students succeed.

  “It’s very important for us to continue to have partnerships like that because that’s how Communities in Schools will continue to exist. We need our community working with us,” said Bailey. “It shows you the value of community coming together to make sure that families are fed and that families can still have a fun time.” 

  CIS of Henry County served over 2,200 students in Henry County Schools this past year at the Stockbridge High School and McDonough High School locations. 

  That number is expected to increase this year due to COVID-19.

  In the schools, a CIS of Henry County site coordinator conducts a needs assessment to identify each students’ needs and works to address those needs in order to “remove any barrier from the students so they can be successful in the classroom and in life.”

  “We place a caring adult in the schools to identify the needs of a student. Once we identify a students’ needs, we do our best to meet those students needs, whether its academic, attendance, or basic needs. We do career exploration. We provide mentors and tutors. We provide them with civic engagement and volunteer opportunities,” said Bailey. “We make sure that students are fed, we make sure that students have clothing and that they have all the materials they need to be successful in the classroom.”

  Bailey stated that COVID-19 has affected how their staff engages and works with the students under their care, as Henry County students will begin this school year in a virtual learning environment.

  “Our site coordinators are in the schools all day, everyday, so we are having to adjust the type of services and how we serve our students,” said Bailey. “We are having to go with virtual checkups, phone calls, and videos, to check in on our students and make sure they have what they need.”

  However, they are working to adapt to their situation as they are able and continue to provide their regular services to Henry County students in need.

  “There are going to be more challenges that come up. Now we are working on attendance, making sure they are logging in on their virtual learning, making sure they are getting their work done,” said Bailey. “We are planning as to how we track that and how we work with the schools to hold those students and parents accountable.”

  Since the onset of COVID-19, Bailey stated that, like other nonprofit organizations, CIS of Henry County has seen a significant decrease in in-kind donations and are asking for assistance from the community.

  “Our greatest need right now is how we will be able to support our students during this crisis,” said Bailey. “Donations are our greatest need. We don’t know what issues that we are going to have to face. We really need more financial support so that we are able to assist these students, whether it’s for a tutor, mentoring, or masks, hand sanitizer.” 

  According to their website, CIS of Henry County helps “to address the growing number of high school dropouts in the county…CIS Henry’s professional staff provide direct services as well as connect community resources to schools and students in a coordinated, caring and cost-effective way. CIS Henry serves ‘at-risk’ students who are in danger of dropping out of high school for various reasons, including lacking basic needs in order to succeed in the classroom.”

  For more information or to donate, visit www.cishenry.org.