Communities In Schools of Jacksonville originated from a key recommendation included in a school dropout prevention study by the Jacksonville Community Council Inc. The program first appeared in Duval County Public Schools in 1990, serving 50 students at Jefferson Davis Junior High School—a school that had one of the highest dropout rates in Duval County.
“We have served for 28 years in the Duval County public school system,” said Erin Mangan, Director of Development for the organization.
The company works provide a personal one-on-one relationship with a caring 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.
“We embed staff into the schools to provide drop out prevention services and other programs,” said Mangan. “We work with the school administration, teachers and parents to identify students who may benefit from what we do.”
Communities In Schools offers three programs to students across the county; after school care, case management (intensive support services) and literacy tutoring.
“I would love it if we could reach more students in Duval County. Currently, we work with 7,000 students in grades K-12. Tens of thousands could benefit from what we do.”
For more information about Communities In Schools, call (904) 366-6350 or visit www.communitiesinschools.org
