Refuse to Lose

Central Texas students should not lose critical support because of reductions in public education funding.

Thousands of Central Texas students rely on Communities In Schools of Central Texas for individualized support, essential resources and a trusted adult in their corner. This year, reductions in public education funding put that support at risk across dozens of campuses.

Rather than watch it disappear, several principals found funding within their own campus budgets to preserve Communities In Schools of Central Texas services for their students.

When they asked Communities In Schools of Central Texas to help bridge the remaining gap, we said yes.

Now we're asking our community to do the same.

Together, we can stand with school principals who refused to lose this support and help raise the remaining $325,000 by August 31.

Thanks to a generous donor, every new or increased gift will be matched, doubling your impact.

Communities In Schools serves more than 60,000 students annually across Central Texas, including 10,000 students receiving intensive, one-on-one support such as case management, mental health counseling, basic needs assistance, and postsecondary planning and career guidance.

On the campuses this campaign is working to preserve, Communities In Schools serves more than 9,000 students, including 1,100 students who rely on these intensive, one-on-one services throughout the school year.

Across Central Texas, thousands of students are preparing to begin one of the most challenging school years in recent memory. Schools are operating with fewer resources. Teachers will have larger classes. Some students will begin the year in entirely new school communities. At the very moment students need more support—not less— this campaign is helping ensure these students begin the school year with the support they deserve.

Communities In Schools is funded through a partnership between philanthropy and local school districts. This year, reduced public education funding forced many school districts to reduce or eliminate their share of that partnership. 

The Refuse to Lose campaign helps close those remaining gaps so students can continue receiving the support they need.

Several principals refused to let their students lose Communities In Schools. Now it's our turn to finish what they started. Help protect the support students need to stay in school and achieve in life.

Across Austin ISD, Del Valle ISD, Elgin ISD, Harmony Public Schools, Hays CISD, Lockhart ISD, Manor ISD, San Marcos CISD, and Taylor ISD, Communities In Schools helps students overcome barriers by connecting them with caring adults, essential resources, and individualized support.

From mental health counseling and basic needs assistance to attendance support and postsecondary planning, Communities In Schools ensures students have someone in their corner when they need it most.

The results speak for themselves. New national research from Harvard and Cornell confirms what the principals behind Refuse to Lose already knew: Communities In Schools works.

Students who participated in Communities In Schools for 3 years experienced:

• Higher test scores
• Higher graduation rates
• Higher lifetime earnings

That's why protecting access to Communities In Schools matters.

To learn more about Communities In Schools of Central Texas, visit www.ciscentraltexas.org.