Communities In Schools of Atlanta (CIS of Atlanta) gave its highest honors to philanthropic luminaries and turned the spotlight on outstanding students at its 20^th annual “Choose Success” awards event Thursday, March 21 in Atlanta. The annual fundraiser provides critically needed support for the organization’s mission to surround vulnerable Metro Atlanta students with the care and resources they need to overcome barriers, graduate from school, and reach their full potential in life.

Philanthropic and community leaders mingled at The Stave Room as CIS of Atlanta honored James Morgens, Trustee of Morgens West Foundation with the Anne Cox Chambers Champion for Kids Award and awarded Deloitte with the Corporate Partner Award.

Welcomed to the stage by emcee Jorge Esteves, celebrated anchor for WSB-TV Channel 2, outstanding students and program leaders also were honored, sharing their inspiring stories of overcoming obstacles that stand in the way of success. This school year, CIS of Atlanta will provide more than 49,000+ students in six school districts across Metro Atlanta with access to services, emergency assistance and resources that foster a positive school climate and address school-wide risk factors that prevent students from graduating and reaching their potential in life. 

“Our work started more than 50 years ago in the basement of a modest home in Atlanta’s Grant Park community. Today Communities In Schools is the nation’s largest dropout prevention network with a proven track record of positively impacting graduation rates and helping generations of students reach their full potential,” said CIS of Atlanta CEO Frank Brown. “We place loving, supportive adults into schools to build a support system around students to make sure they don’t fall through the cracks. We are so grateful for the support of our partners, sponsors and supporters who know that all students deserve a safe childhood, good education, and bright future - no matter their address.”

2024 Choose Success Honorees Include:

CIS OF ATLANTA STUDENTS OF THE YEAR

Savanah Garth          

Kenneth Carter         

Kasey Earven

Jennifer Solano

Kenya Brewer

SITE COORDINATOR OF THE YEAR

Theresa Mullins, Phoenix Academy, Atlanta Public School 

PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

Dr. Micki Harris, Eddie White Middle Academy

 ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR

Lawrence Omodele 

ANNE COX CHAMBERS CHAMPION FOR KIDS AWARD

James Morgens, Trustee of Morgens West Foundation

CORPORATE PARTNER AWARD

Deloitte

Quick Facts on CIS of Atlanta

o   For the 2023-2024 school year, CIS of Atlanta will provide 49,000 students with access to services, while also providing intensive case management support to young people who have the greatest needs. 

o   Since 1972, CIS of Atlanta’s evidence-based model has reached struggling students with preventive measures and interventions to keep them on track for success in school by overcoming barriers such as poor attendance and behavior, low levels of parental involvement, limited exposure to academic enrichment opportunities, and a lack of access to basic necessities including shelter, clothing, and school supplies, among others. 

o   Expanded programming now reaches an increasing number of CIS of Atlanta alumni as they make the big post-high school leap to college and career. CIS of Atlanta’s LatinXcellence and foster care programming also addresses the specific needs of some of metro Atlanta’s most vulnerable students. 

o   Communities In Schools of Atlanta currently serves six school districts, including Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County, DeKalb County, Griffin-Spalding County, Clayton County and City Schools of Decatur.

Images of Communities In Schools of Atlanta for media use are here.

Watch the national documentary filmed in Atlanta The Push