Mission: To surround students with a community of support empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

 

Need: EVERY 9 SECONDS, A STUDENT DROPS OUT OF SCHOOL

• Earn less; pay less in taxes; twice as likely to be unemployed.

• Rely more on public health/welfare systems; more involved in the criminal justice system.

• 137 children dropped out of Brunswick County Schools in 2010-2011; over 15,000 students dropped out across North Carolina.

• Each dropout will cost Brunswick County taxpayers $127,000 in support services over their lifetime.

• Total lifetime cost to Brunswick County taxpayers for the 2010-2011 dropouts alone is $17,399,000.

 

CIS believes every child deserves a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult, a safe place to learn and grow, a healthy start and healthy future, a marketable skill to use upon graduation and a chance to give back to the community.

 

Methods: The CIS was founded in the 1970s on the belief that relationships save children. In 1995, Brunswick County began looking at ways to improve student success. It was concluded that CIS was the most effective means to "mobilize the community for improving the success of low-performing students and enhance community excellence."

 

CIS is a non-profit organization to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. CIS offers six core service areas that include, After School Programs, Teen Court and Peer Court, Family Resource Center, Parenting Education, Adopt A School and Volunteer Partnerships and a Dropout Prevention Program. As donors 88 cents of each dollar invested goes toward the CIS programs.

 

The need for ORCA funding is to help cover the costs with the Dropout Prevention Program at the Shallotte Middle School. The cost to cover four students to provide preventative services to a minimum of four students is $6,000, or $1,500 dollars apiece. 

 

Personal Story: “Cody” is a 7th grader in middle school and has been on the CIS caseload since the beginning of 6th grade.  He was removed by a social worker from his mother’s home in Tennessee due to emotional abuse.  He now lives in Brunswick County with his father, 2 step-brothers and a baby step-sister.  Cody developed tics from medication that he took in elementary school which led to other students bullying him.  As a result, he got in many fights.  He also would frequently have emotional outbursts in class.  He can be very opinionated and not afraid to question the teacher.  His father is load and can be intimidating but his step-mother is very meek.  Cody loves to play outside, fish and play video games like most other male students his age.

 

Since Cody has arrived at the middle school, he has blossomed.  CIS has provided him with a lunch buddy to serve as a mentor to him.  His lunch buddy is patient and soft-spoken.  He consistently has been there for Cody.  He demonstrates kindness and listens to Cody whenever he shares his thoughts, feelings or concerns. Cody has told the CIS Success Coach that is thankful for his mentor being there for him each week and understanding how he feels.  He is someone that Cody looks up to.  Cody has also been given a 1 – on – 1 CIS math tutor.  He works best 1 – on -1 and his math tutor reports that he has really progressed in his understanding of required math concepts.  His math teacher states that she has seen a big boost in Cody’s self-confidence and attitude towards math and problem solving.

 

Cody has matured over the past 2 years.  He always has interesting thoughts to share and is now regularly observed sitting with friends at lunch.  He is beginning to fit in and grow into a successful young man.  He is a good student with a goal to be in the Marines.  This year, he is participating in the Keys program, which works with students who are interested in serving their country.  Cody has made great strides through his involvement in the CIS Action for Success Program and is now focused on staying in school, being successful and planning for a fulfilling future.