Our work is best shared through the stories and images of our students, and testimonials from others touched by the work we do. We invite you to click on a story below… and be inspired.
Success Stories to Read
Empowering students with the skills to succeed on their own
Haben, an 8th grader at Sequoyah Middle School, initially found Communities In Schools through her friends, as several of them were involved in services. Her friend group was often wrapped up in drama that would pull them out of class and require multiple meditations from our School outreach Coordinator, Alicia Vasey-Nielson, to sort out. After […]
Connection to adults improves behavior and grades
Samad is a young man who came to Lakota with significant trauma in his past. These traumas, along with having been skipped up a grade level presented a young 6th grade boy with major behavior issues. He was extremely impulsive and disruptive in class, frequently calling out things and interrupting others and even his teachers. He […]
Someone to be there on the days you just can’t do it all
Adriana, an 8th grader at TAF@Saghalie was referred to our School Outreach Coordinator, Kimberly Foster, because of her low attendance and things that were going on at home that affected her performance at school. She had missed a lot of days, and as a new student, had yet to find her place at the school. […]
From failing grades to a plan for the future
Yasmine met our School Outreach Coordinator, Fatou Bah, at Tyee High School while Fatou was speaking French to some students in her office. Yasmine’s face lit up as she stated, “I didn’t know you spoke French!” This sparked a connection between Yasmine and Fatou. In learning more about Yasmine through her teachers and her mother, […]
The impact of a positive male role model
Rontreace and Juan met our School Outreach Coordinator, Darius Alexander, at Saghalie Middle School five years ago. At Saghalie, both students struggled academically and had behavior issues. They would both often skip class or be kicked out due to bad behavior. Darius came to realize that both boys lacked a stable relationship with their fathers and […]
Overcoming hardship to reach Graduation
Whitney, a Senior at Todd Beamer High School, was referred to our School Outreach Coordinator, Gina Forest, by her ROTC teacher. Whitney was one of his top cadets but he was worried about her attendance and some hardships she was facing at home with her mother’s health. Whitney was working extra shifts to help as […]
Mariela finds her voice as an activist
Mariela, an 8th grade student at Sequoyah Middle School, was a student who often “slipped through the cracks,” meaning she never got in trouble for discipline, but she also did not really exceed in her classes. Often times, her peers who needed constant intervention got the most attention, and the kids who were acing all […]
Breaking Chains, Barriers and the Glass Ceiling
Jaliyah will break chains, barriers and the glass ceiling over her head that was placed by unfortunate circumstances.
A Determination That Refuses to Die
Four years ago, Connor was a freshman living in unstable housing when he was referred to our School Outreach Coordinator, Kaitlin Thomas, at Federal Way High School. He was in need of food, clothing and most importantly the stability of a caring adult relationship and someone to talk to. Connor was living with his three […]
Kilo 8th Grader Motivated to Pursue His Dreams
Rogelio, an 8th grader at Kilo Middle School, has faced more challenges in 14 years of life than most can even imagine. He has been surrounded by gangs his whole life, and lost his oldest brother to gang violence, and another brother is currently incarcerated. When our School Outreach Coordinator, Ariassa Wilson first met Rogelio, […]