Programs Offered

Different kids have different needs. Some need academic help; some need someone who will listen and help guide the way. Others just need a pair of eyeglasses.  Communities In Schools of Auburn coordinates with our community and the Auburn School District to bring support to kids through the following programs:

Students in Need
CIS of Auburn helps students in need at all 22 Auburn schools. Assistance is granted only when the family's resources or other programs cannot meet the need. School district staff purchase the necessary items. Money is never given to the student or the student's family.We purchase clothing for homeless students. We buy alarm clocks for elementary children getting themselves to school. We help high school students obtain interview clothing from consignment shops. We purchase lice medication; provide scholarships for art enrichment, Camp Auburn and so much more.

In addition to direct purchases we also distribute many in-kind donations. The "Sight for Students Program," provides certificates for eye exams and glasses to qualifying students. 550 backpacks filled with supplies are given to elementary, middle and high school students through the Costco Wholesale Backpack Program and community partners. CIS Auburn is a member of the World Vision Storehouse Program, providing items such as clothing, health supplies and grooming aids to children and families in need.

Food to Go 
To help kids in critical need, CIS of Auburn, in partnership with the Auburn Food Bank and Community of Christ Church, provides backpacks filled with food each Friday afternoon to nine Auburn elementary schools and three middle schools. Twenty students at each of the following schools: Arthur Jacobsen, Alpac, Dick Scobee, Gildo Rey, Hazelwood, Lea Hill, Pioneer, Terminal Park, Washington, Cascade, Mt. Baker and Olympic receive the backpacks on a weekly basis.

Tutoring Program
At the elementary level, CIS of Auburn coordinates high quality tutoring programs at Dick Scobee, Gildo Rey, Terminal Park and Washington for students identified as needing assistance in math and reading. After school peer tutoring programs run four afternoons a week, offering older students a service learning opportunity while providing academic assistance to struggling kindergarten and first grade students. The after school math program uses contracted school staff to help fourth and fifth grade students. Community volunteers assist third and fourth grade students before school in reading skills. Our site coordinators also conduct school day interventions to further address individual needs.

 (Students in the Terminal Park Peer Tutoring program made May Day bouquets for family and neighbors)

Middle School Initiative
Most students don't drop out during middle school but unfortunately many students make the decision to drop out while still very young, then wait until high school to actually leave. To provide more assistance for middle school students, and to establish a pattern of support that starts at the elementary level and continues to the upper grades, CIS of Auburn has established After School Study Hubs at Mt. Baker and Cascade and partnered with Green River Community College in a mentoring program. The study hubs use community volunteers to assist students who both drop in and are referred to the program. Green River CC recruits college students to mentor middle school students in an after school college and career exploration program called the Headwaters Project. Our site coordinator also provides school day interventions to further address individual needs. All four middle schools participate in eighth grade career conferences designed to help students see the connection between school and their future.The conferences are a partnership between CIS Auburn, the School District and the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce.