Lewisville , TX – January 7, 2009:  Communities In Schools of North Texas has received a $20,000 grant from the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation to support dropout prevention programs at Hedrick Elementary and Lakeland Elementary schools. These schools, located in the Lewisville Independent School district, have significant concentrations of economically disadvantaged, at-risk students.

The King Foundation supports Education and Children & Youth initiatives to prepare young people for school and to support the educational process to promote and develop sound character and values in young people. All CISNT projects support the idea that every child needs and deserves five basic things: 1) a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult; 2) a safe place to learn and grow; 3) a healthy start and healthy future; 4) a marketable skill prior to graduating; and 5) a chance to give back to peers and community. Because the mission and vision of CISNT and the King Foundation are so closely aligned, the King gift will to help provide direct services to over 200 students at these campuses.

Both elementary school principals are pleased that CISNT received funding to sustain the much needed dropout prevention programs on their campuses. Ms. Esteva Bargo, Principal of Hedrick Elementary School commented, “ CISNT is the success that it is because of its mission and the people behind it.”

CISNT offers programs and services including: case management, supportive guidance and counseling, health and human services, parental involvement, educational enhancement, mentoring and job/college awareness. In addition to the traditional programs at these campuses, a recent influx of Burmese refugee students has created a new challenges and an intense need for additional services. CISNT provides or helps coordinate additional services such as English translation services to complete school enrollment packets, counseling for students and families with aggression issues due to leaving a war torn country, job placement, Western culture parenting classes, etc., necessary for these students to overcome barriers, succeed in school and prepare for life.

Lakeland Elementary Program Manager Mary Petro Smith summarizes the significance of the King Foundation donation, “At CISNT, we partner with community agencies to identify resources and assist families with their child’s education, healthcare and other social service needs. We are able to fill in the gaps for them and thanks to the generosity of the King Foundation, we can continue that job.”

For more information about the King Foundation, please visit www.kingfoundation.com. For more information about Communities In Schools of North Texas visit www.cisnt.org or call (972) 436-6377.