Communities In Schools of Los Angeles (CISLA) is usually in schools working towards our mission to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. We provide one-on-one case management for nearly 1,000 at-risk students and their families.
We’ve had to change the way we approach that mission.
During the COVID-19 crisis, we have shifted our attention to focus on providing additional wraparound support centered around conducting almost daily check-ins, communicating relevant information, and providing basic needs to students and their families.
As you probably know, in high-poverty neighborhoods, LAUSD schools serve a much larger purpose than just providing an education. Nearly 85% of LAUSD students live at or below the poverty line. That being said, as one could imagine, in Los Angeles, a lot of schools are a primary source of food, shelter, medical care, psychological services, and physical safety for some of our most vulnerable students. Schools also provide families with resources, information and translation services.
Now that schools are closed, this pandemic has revealed just how vulnerable students are when they don’t have the ability to go to school. It’s also revealing how high the actual costs are when it comes to meeting these non academic needs.
Communities In Schools of Los Angeles is working very hard, everyday, to try to meet those non academic needs while schools are closed.
If you want to help us help our students and their families, please visit CISLosAngeles.org and donate today.