WHAT SHALL WE DO FOR THE CHILDREN?

Today more than ever the children and youth in our midst are in need of our help.  What do they need? How do we reach them?  What can we do to make a difference?  Over 90% of the children in North Carolina attend public school.  By partnering with a local school we can find out what they need, how we can help, and how our help will make the greatest impact in the lives of the children and youth in our own communities.

 

WHAT ABOUT HAND IN HAND?

What is The Hand in Hand Project?
 

The goal of Hand in Hand is to equip churches to partner with local schools.  By reaching out to staff and students in need of support our congregations will build life-changing relationships.  Whether we are reading with a student each week, praying for and encouraging a teacher, or running an after-school program, we can make a difference in the lives of young people in our own community.

This initiative began in 1999 as a collaboration between the NC Conference UMC, the Western NC Conference UMC, The Methodist Homes for Children, Communities In Schools of North Carolina (CIS) and The Duke Endowment.  For five years the NC Conference UMC led the program in eastern North Carolina.  As this ministry has continued to grow Communities In Schools realizes the need to duplicate what we are doing in all denominations.  Through the leadership of CIS we are able to strengthen and expand our efforts.  As God continues to move this ministry forward it is with great joy that CIS will launch a ‘Bridges of Faith’ program in 2007.  The NC Conference UMC continues to promote Hand in Hand, however all training and support for The Hand in Hand Project will be referred to CIS and the Bridges of Faith Program.  The NC Conference UMC is very proud to have initiated the Hand In Hand Project and will continue to promote and support the work.  We are grateful to CIS for having the vision to move this forward and expand the great work already begun.   

 

WHAT IS COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS (CIS)

CIS is a private, non-profit, community-based organization that connects resources from public and private sectors to students who need them.  CIS works by coordinating and delivering existing community resources to youth and families at the school or community site. Through partnerships with businesses, faith communities, schools, agencies and other non-profits, CIS helps students of all ages stay in school and prepare for life.  

CIS Mission:
To champion the connection of needed community resources with schools to help young people successfully learn, stay in school and prepare for life.

Our Purpose:
To ensure all students have the five basic resources-
* A healthy start and a healthy future
* A safe place to learn and grow
* A personal, one-on-one relationship with a caring adult
* A marketable skill to use upon graduation
* An opportunity to give back to their peers and community
 

WHAT DO CHURCHES ACTUALLY DO?

Church participation varies from community to community but the following list offers suggestions for ministry.

WHAT DO WE DO NOW THAT WE ARE INTERESTED IN STARTING A PARTNERSHIP WITH A LOCAL SCHOOL?

·   Contact Communities In School of North Carolina.

·  Schedule a Faith Based Initiative Orientation Session.  This is an opportunity to bring interested congregation and community leaders together to learn more about the program. Typically a 45 minute overview with time for Q and A. 

·   Schedule a Faith Based Initiative Training Session.  This 3 hour training session has been developed to lead the congregation in initiating or expanding a partnership with a local school. 

Schedule a Volunteer Training- This training is for those individuals from the congregation and community who will be working one-on-one with students.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Contact Information

Communities In Schools of NC, Inc.  222 N. Person Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Attention:  Susan Pennock or Karen Kilmer, Faith Based Partnership Coordinators
919-832-2700  kkillmer@cisnc.org
910-617-5955 pennock@2khiway.net

 

                        
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