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Communities In Schools of Memphis

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Communities In Schools of Memphis

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Strengthening our communities by addressing non-academic barriers to ensure academic success.

Communities In Schools of Memphis is a part of the national Communities In Schools network, which is the leading dropout prevention organization in the country, and the only such organization that is proven to decrease the dropout rate and increase on-time graduation rates. At Communities In Schools of Memphis, we work with everyone to change the picture of education for kids in our city. We do this by keeping kids in schools, doing whatever it takes to eliminate barriers to achievement, and never giving up on anyone! We believe every child needs and deserves a one-on-one caring relationship with an adult, a safe place to learn and grow, a healthy start and a healthy future, a marketable skill to use upon graduation, and a chance to give back to their peers and their community. Communities In Schools of Memphis currently has comprehensive, integrated student services in over 19 schools in the Achievement School District and Shelby County schools.

10/06/2026

After four years of supporting young people across Memphis, CISM’s role in the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) concluded on September 30.

During that time, CISM served nearly 150 youth and young adults, connecting them with resources and support to address barriers, strengthen housing stability, and work toward greater independence. 🏠🤝

Beginning October 1, YHDP navigation services have transitioned to the Hospitality Hub, serving young adults ages 18–24 who are experiencing homelessness, facing imminent eviction, or fleeing domestic violence. 📞 Future referrals can be made by calling (901) 730-1736.

As we close this chapter, we’re proud of the progress made by the young people we served and deeply grateful to the CISM staff and community partners who showed up alongside them throughout the past four years. 💙💙

10/04/2026

🎓💼 Explore Your Options. Discover Your Path. Build Your Future!

What comes after high school? CISM is bringing all the possibilities together in one place during our College & Career Community Fair. Join us Saturday, October 24, to connect directly with:

🎓 Colleges & universities
🛠️ Trade schools
💼 Industry professionals
🚒 First responders
🇺🇸 Armed Forces
🤝 Student support organizations
🏘️ Community resources

Your next step starts here. We hope to see you Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at Davis Community Center (3371 Spottswood Ave)!

10/01/2026

🌟 BEHIND OUR IMPACT: Meet Ashley Watkins!

For Ashley Watkins, seeing young people flourish is what makes the work worthwhile. 💙💙

As CISM’s Director of College and Career Readiness, Ashley has spent more than six years helping create opportunities and pathways that prepare students for what comes next. With a background in Finance and Economics, Ashley brings a problem-solving mindset to her role, a superpower that comes in handy when building programs designed to meet students where they are and help them move toward their goals. One of her recent accomplishments is a big one: developing an organization-wide College & Career Readiness framework spanning grades 3–12. 🎓✨

Ashley may describe herself as an “extreme introvert,” but her motivation is deeply people-centered. She leads with a servant heart and finds fulfillment in watching others succeed. Her personal philosophy captures that approach perfectly: “Leave people and things better than you found them.”

Six years of problem-solving, creating pathways, and helping young people see what’s possible. We’re proud to have Ashley’s leadership and commitment BEHIND OUR IMPACT! 💙💙

09/29/2026

Five CISM alumni are taking their next steps with $15,000 in Alumni Excellence Scholarships! Each of these 2026 graduates received $3,000 to pursue their goals:

• Christina Chandler – TCAT Memphis, HVAC
• Antonio Pryor Jr. – University of Memphis, Finance
• Jasmine Tate – Benes Career Academy, Cosmetology
• Miracle Turner – Georgia Southern University, Health Science
• Laquavia Tucker – UT Martin, Health & Human Performance

The CISM Alumni Network is proud to support them through college, careers, and beyond!

09/25/2026

The 2026-27 school year is well underway, but we’re looking back at a special moment that set the tone for the year and showed what’s possible when a community comes together for its students. 💙💙

On August 15, more than 300 students and family members joined us for CISM’s Back-to-School Family Fun Day. We distributed 243 backpacks filled with school supplies, provided new shoes, connected families with community resources, and created a day focused on making sure students started the year prepared and supported.

It takes a community to make this kind of impact possible. We’re so grateful to the partners, volunteers, donors, vendors, and CISM team members who came together to help give students and families a strong start to the school year.

Whataburger | Communities In Schools | Memphis Business Academy | Girls Inc. | Love Doesn't Hurt | Restore Corps

09/24/2026

🌟 BEHIND OUR IMPACT: Meet Miska Clay Bibbs!

We’ve introduced you to some of the incredible people behind CISM’s impact. Now, it’s time to meet the person leading the team! 💙💙

Miska Clay Bibbs joined CISM as CEO in October 2025, bringing a background in business marketing, nonprofit leadership, education, and public service. But if you ask Miska what she brings to the role, she’ll tell you her superpower is being a connector 🤝 and a dreamer of BIG things ✨.

One of her favorite parts of the job is getting out into the community and talking with donors, funders, community leaders, and policymakers about CISM’s work. For Miska, every conversation is a chance to help someone better understand what students and families are experiencing, build stronger connections to the mission, and invite more people to become part of the solution.

There’s plenty of personality behind the title, too. Miska LOVES the beach, sun, and water, and music and dancing are always top choices for fun. Plus, she shares a birthday with everyone from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to Jesse from Saved by the Bell (Elizabeth Berkley) and CISM’s very own Ms. Gloria. ☀️🌊🎶

Big ideas, strong connections, and a belief in what’s possible when people come together around young people. That's why we're excited to have Miska leading the team BEHIND OUR IMPACT! 💙💙

09/21/2026

Catch up with Communities In Schools of Memphis! ☀️🎓

Read about the incredible work done over the summer, a strong start to the school year, $15,000 awarded in alumni scholarships, and more in our latest newsletter: https://cismemphis.dm.networkforgood.com/emails/cism-monthly-newsletter-june-2026

09/17/2026

For LaVonda Burks, the reason behind the work is simple: “living my purpose.” 💙💙

For more than two years, LaVonda has served CISM’s College & Career Readiness team, currently supporting young people at MASE and Knowledge Quest. With a master’s degree in Criminal Justice and a self-described superpower of being a “people person,” she brings an ability to connect with others that’s central to how she supports students.

One recent win made that purpose especially tangible: helping two sisters at MASE reduce their absenteeism and become more consistently connected to school. It reflects the philosophy LaVonda carries into her work every day: “If I reach one, I have succeeded.” ✨

There’s plenty more to LaVonda beyond her work with students. She once spent a summer working in lawn care, loves being on a zero-turn mower, and has a personal transformation story of her own, having once weighed nearly 300 pounds. 🌱💪

Whether she’s connecting with a student, helping remove a barrier, or revving up her riding mower, LaVonda brings purpose and personality as one of the amazing people BEHIND OUR IMPACT! 💙💙

09/16/2026

📌 ICYMI: 2026 Q2 Impact Report

As Miska Clay Bibbs stepped into the CEO role, our students kept moving forward — from college tours and FAFSA support to inspiring Mission Moments of resilience and growth. Nearly 200 students & families connected through Angel Tree, and 150+ people reached through Homeless to Hopeful. 🎉 The report looks back, but it's really about the foundation we're building for what's next.

👉 Read it here:https://www.cismemphis.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/CISM-2025-26-Q2.pdf

09/03/2026

🌟BEHIND OUR IMPACT: Meet Chloe Brewer!

Sometimes the details others might miss are exactly where meaningful support begins. That perspective is one of the strengths Chloe Brewer brings to her role as a CISM Student Support Specialist at Memphis Business Academy High School. 💙

Chloe joined CISM in March with a Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis and recently celebrated another major accomplishment: passing her LMSW exam! 🎓 She describes her superpower as being an “observer” who notices patterns, behaviors, and details that help her recognize student needs early and respond thoughtfully.

What Chloe enjoys most, though, is becoming part of students’ everyday lives: creating a safe space where they can be themselves, building connections, and celebrating their progress, whether the win is big or small.

Chloe is originally from rural northeast Missouri and made Memphis home late last year. When she’s not supporting students, you might find her thrifting, at a concert, working on a crochet project, or traveling home to see family and friends. 🧶🎶

In just a few months, Chloe has brought a thoughtful eye, a social worker’s perspective, and a genuine enthusiasm for celebrating young people to the team BEHIND OUR IMPACT! 💙💙

Address

2714 Union Avenue Extended, Suite 225
Memphis, TN
38112

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm

Website

http://www.cismemphis.org/

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