Texas Association of Business Endorses Communities In Schools Dropout Prevention Programs

Lewisville, TX – February 19, 2008: The Texas Association of Business (TAB) has endorsed Communities In Schools (CIS) and their statewide dropout prevention programs. CIS of North Texas serves students at risk of dropping out of school in Denton and Wise counties.

“CIS is of interest to Texas businesses for two reasons” states Bill Hammond, TAB President. “First, the program fosters community development by working with at-risk school children to provide them the tools that will keep them off the streets and in the classroom. Secondly, CIS strives to help its students gain a marketable skill that can be put to use in the workforce.”

In Texas, CIS operates 26 local programs across the state, provides services in more than 600 schools in more than 100 school districts, serving over 1.4 million students. Locally in the last year, CIS North Texas staff and volunteers provided over 460,000 services to north Texas at-risk students. 1,100 CIS North Texas volunteers donated over 16,000 hours to help less fortunate children succeed in school last year.

“The partnership that CIS North Texas enjoys with the north Texas business community is crucial to our efforts” comments Gary Henderson, CIS North Texas Executive Director. “Our local chamber of commerce organizations and their businesses have generously supported our efforts to help close the gaps that so many of our students face.”

IS North Texas is a 501(c)3 non profit organization with the mission of helping at-risk children succeed in school. To donate or become a CIS North Texas volunteer, visit www.CISNT.org or call (972) 436-6377. Dropping out of school is a process, not an event.

###